Jack

Question
QUESTION: Hi Christine,
This question is really for my husband and Jack. Since the weather is sooooo awful here, we haven't been riding much. My husband took Jack out to the trails (without Bambi & I) and Jack was being lazy. It took my husband almost an hour to get him down the street to the trail entrance that normally takes 10 minutes. Jack would take 10 steps and stop. He did NOT want to work and was just plain lazy. Normally he moves off the leg pretty well, but my husband was actually having to kick him pretty hard to get him to move, and then would get a crow hop as a result. My husband is a pretty good rider - doesn't wear spurs, but is out of ideas. I think it's because it's winter and we haven't been riding that much. Jack is lazy by nature, but this seemed pretty extreme. He goes out great when Bambi is there and does better than she does sometimes. (Bambi can be a little overly "observant" not spooky, but things seem to affect her more than Jack) I told him I would ask you for some suggestions to see if there is something else he could try. I think he just needs more consistancy and more saddle time.

ANSWER: Hi Susan

Its  so good to hear from you, been wondering how everything was going!

Sounds like Jack was being a bit lazy  and missing his riding  out partner as well could have something  to do with that!  We used to have one horse that was  lovely to ride  BUT only if someone  else  was riding out as well, yuo  couldn't take him out on his own at alll.

However  I would also begin to ask  if Jack has anything wrong with his back or maybe if his saddle isn't sitting properly.  I know you take very good care  of him and Bambi and ensure that they do have correctly fitting tack  but sometimes, horses ( like humans)  change shape slightly and saddles  may just not sit properly.   If its possible   then just  run your hands  down his spine  quite firmly  but not too hard, and see if there are any tender areas, or get your vet  to have a check on him  just to make sure things are all ok.   We have ours checked at the end of each winter and again  after the showing season is over  just to make sure that backs etc have not suffered any damage.  Just a thought that  might be worth  exploring.

On the other hand  I think it also might be worth  getting Jack used to riding out on his own, its going to take some time and  again patience is the word here, just  little   rides at first  stretching it a little each time, then turn round come home and lots of praise for him.  You know the drill by now!

Glad  to hear that you and Bambi are  continuing  to be better   and that you have forged a real partnership  together........... when I look back on the past  questions and see how far  you have both come together, its amazing really!

Keep up with Jack what you did with Bambi  remember all the things  you did with her and do them  with him and  he will soon be happy to ride  out on his own or with company.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi There,
Jack and Bambi both just had their annual teeth float and the chiroprator has been out TWICE in two months! Jack had an abscess and then his shoulder was out. We have the chiro out every 3-5 months to adjust both of them. I think alot of it is because we haven't spent alot of time riding this winter. We go out there and expect them to act like "angels" and when they don't we get frustrated. Not fair to the horses. We are just going to have to spend more time with them.

Answer
Hi Susan

Then thats  great that  you  have already  took the steps   to sort  things that  were niggling  at Jack....... poor litlte man having a tooth abcess is orrrible eough for ahuman  its  worse  for  our equine friends  they can;t tell us it hurts!

Hope his shoulder is ok as well, one of my older horses has a history of slipping his shoulder out  normally when I ask him to work.............. I* swear Tino can do it on wishing!

It could be the shoulder area  is still a little tender  and combined with not doing a great deal over the winter  then I would be thinking that  getting them fitter again  walking  and warming them both  up  then trotting and some canter work, then slowly introducing gallops and faster work  always cooling them down again afterwards..... I now you know this  but  humour me I'm a worry wart!


Happy riding for the spring and summer  our  hard work starts now after our winter lay off,  horses coming back into work and starting the youngsters off on their education  .........