At 01:12:23 on 15.06.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
ok i was at a show on saturday...charlie was in great form we had been working really hard the last while to improve out technique, both mine and his. i was jumping the practice fence and it was goin great, the field had a slight hill to it so i jumped up and downhill when warming up. when i went in to jump, number 1 was downhill, we met it perfectly but on takeoff charlie slipped a bit making the jump untidy but we cleared it...after that it was as if he was afraid to use his hind quarters properly, id set him up for the jump we'd meet it perfectly but he would try to put in another stride and scramble over the jump, he only jumped deep. we managed to go clear event though it was a mess (i tried to talk to my friends about it but they wouldnt listen cause i went clear, they kept saying we did great -.- ) i scratched from the next class and entered the novice working hunter which was later on in the day. he was better but still a bit iffy, he still felt reluctant to take off unless we wer deep. this kinda freaked me out a bit, hes always had a very bold jump. what do you think? could it be just a wee confidence knock or does it sound like back trouble?

At 03:32:27 on 15.06.10, kibby wrote:
run your fingers down either side of his back? if he isnt flinchy i'd say he is fine and it was a confidence knock.. The most important thing on your part is when you get to the point where you want to take off be very positive, big squeeze with your legs and even a click.. to give him the extra confidence.. how deep is deep.. My horse likes a deeper spot and is much more confident from there.. Lots of little jumping this week :)

At 00:21:48 on 16.06.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
he has had time off in the field since saturday, i will bring him in 2moro and check his back then :) usually he will take off from were i ask him wether it is deep or stand off which is why i noticed something was wrong. he was very deep in the first class, as in i would set him up to take off at the perfect point and he would try and get another stride in (which wouldnt fit) and paddle with his legs before taking off. it was really bad over one of the jumps, he had to twist to clear it and i lost a stirrup. the second class wasnt as bad but i REALLY had to push to get him to take off from where i wanted, like what u said. i was so proud that he still went clear tho, hes such an honest horse. my last exam is tomorrow so my summer holidays start then :D so provided his back is ok i think il do more gridwork. If its just a confidence thing it shouldnt be too bad because hes so enthusiastic

At 14:31:56 on 16.06.10, kibby wrote:
nothing better then grid work.. mif you change some distances but ride the same ride you could work on getting his confidence to take off from different places..

At 18:16:56 on 16.06.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
good idea. i checked his back today nothing worng...did some flat work and popped over a few wee jumps, grand. we went to the river for a play and he was leaping in and out of it and we jumped a fallen tree...definately ok lol but im goin to work more anyway :)

At 10:32:32 on 17.06.10, kibby wrote:
thats great!

At 07:47:20 on 18.06.10, Flicka wrote:
Hi, glad you gave him some time off and then popped him over low jumps to get his confidence. He probably pulled something, the fact he went deep and twisted over the jump shows that he was trying to save himself from something that was going ouch! When they slip remember it's not just the back but all the muscles in the shoulder, forelegs and hindquarters that can be effected. He could have just twanged one small muscle. I used to play football and one day overstretched for the ball and got a groin strain which was really painful. I had to get a man to massage it for me :) and pay for the privilege :( Hopefully it has resolved itself naturally but keep an eye on any changes in his action.

At 14:43:54 on 18.06.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
thanks flicka i will keep an eye on him. i gave him a good groom and bath yesterday so that should have helped with any soreness. hes a bit of a wuss when it comes to pain so if he is sore he will let me know lol

At 20:49:54 on 23.06.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
hey just letting you know any problem is definately gone, we built a small cross country style course in our sand paddock and he was jumping out of his skin, stand offs and everything :D

At 23:54:05 on 23.06.10, kibby wrote:
awesome work.