OTTB - Good News and Bad News

The Passier saddle fits Bouffe great, but that was the extent of the good news from today's visit. It was very hot today, even at 9 am; so, I wasn't planning on riding even if the saddle fit like it did. 

After fitting the saddle I put the longe line on Bouffe and longed him as Leslie suggested. Going in a counter-clockwise direction, like at the racetrack, he was sound when he jogged and even cantered a little. But as soon as I had him change directions he balked, and not only didn't want to trot he wouldn't even walk without encouragement from the longe whip. When I finally got him to jog he was off again in his right hind and I stopped. 

I have been reading articles and books this afternoon about lameness in OTTB's and they all pretty much say the same thing... left front causes lameness in right hind and vice versa. If you look at Bouffe's photographs, you will see the osselets on both ankles along with white hair on his left front, which isn't an identifying mark on his Jockey Club papers. The hair on the left front turned white because somewhere along the way someone did something (blister, surgery, or the likes) to his ankle that killed the pigment in the hair. 

Where do we go from here? I'm not sure. The first thing I want to do is longe Bouffe in a bigger paddock so I can make the circle larger, which may help him move easier in both directions. Steuart  Pittman from the Retired Racehorse Training Project says, that continuing to lunge horses with problems behind helps, along with an equine chiropractor and massage therapist. I will start with the longing on Friday.

Hippotherapy - OTTB - Me & Bouffe

In the last post I talked about physical therapy and how important it was; in addition, if you are serious about riding with a disability you also need hippotherapy.

I am sure many of you are like I was and don't feel you need all that extra help in riding a horse. The first thing you have to do is get over that idea. You will be surprised how much the exercises you do on and off the horse will help you with the symptoms of your disability. With me it has been balance and flexibility. 

As I said at the beginning of this blog I thought I didn't need hippotherapy; after all, I had ridden some very difficult horses on the racetrack, how bad could my balance be. SURPRISE !!!!! It stunk. In addition my legs were so tight I could barely lift the right up far enough to get on. Getting off was an experience all it own. Once I got my right leg over the horses back I flew off the horse because I had lost that much strength in my arms I couldn't hold myself back. I know Robin dreaded it and if it wasn't for her overall physical fitness I would have been lying flat on my back. 

But Robin has stuck with me for the last five years and I can honestly say the she and her program have been one of the most important aspects of my desire to ride independently again. This is Robin program: Robin Korotki, Back To Fitness Hippotherapy, 410-825-0650. 

Leslie did trim Bouffe and did some work on tight muscles in his back. He was also off in his right hind, which could have been from his feet. We will find out in the next few days. She also noticed that the saddle is rubbing him on his shoulders. The Passier Willi Schultheis dressage saddle arrived today, so the old saddle is history as far as Bouffe is concerned. I'm going to the farm again on Wednesday and I'll see how it fits him then.

Physical Therapy - I Needed It Today

I really needed my physical therapy appointment this morning. I was very stiff in my joints and my leg muscles felt tight. I would be this way everyday, if it wasn't for Mike. 

He and I have been working together on my multiple sclerosis for a long time, and I know, Bouffe would not be a part of my life, if I hadn't taken Mike's direction in doing my daily stretching exercises. He has kept me out of a wheelchair, and I will always appreciate all the time he has spent helping me.

If you don't have a physical therapist, get one! They will keep you mobile, for as long as you have the desire. 

OTTB - Waiting For A Trim and A Saddle That Fits

Bouffe is scheduled to have his feet trimmed and his gait analyzed by Leslie tomorrow. He and I also need a saddle that fits. My present Smith Worthington is too big for me and too wide for him. I am hoping to get the Passier Willi Schultheiss that I bought on eBay soon. I am very optimistic that it will fit both Bouffe and me. Until the saddle arrives and I hear from Leslie about Bouffe's feet and his gait, I am not sure what we are doing. 

The opening for the art show was this evening. It was well attended. The photograph is displayed very well and I received several compliments from other artist.

OTTB - What Did The Farrier Do?

I learned my lesson today: Be there to meet the farrier. I was told last month that Bouffe had been trimmed by the barn farrier for Gunpowder Stables. But when I rode him today, even in what I would consider a very sandy, stone dust ring, he was foot sore. My riding was only for about ten minutes because Bouffe was reluctant to break out of a very slow walk and when he finally did, he stumbled and that's when I got off.

I had Amy, the farm manager, look at Bouffe. There was no heat in his ankles, pastern or hooves but as soon as she picked up his left front foot she saw the long toes and bars. She also noticed, when she put his foot back down, how uneven he was standing. We both agreed that there was no way Bouffe had been trimmed in the last month. 

I am planing to have Leslie or her son trim Bouffe. They are both trained in natural hoof care, which is what I want for Bouffe. I am hoping with proper farrier care he can remain barefoot.

OTTB, Multiple Sclerosis - Back In The Saddle

The weather cooperated today and I was able to ride for about thirty minutes, until the sun started blazing down on the ring. During those thirty minutes, Bouffe and I did figure eights and serpentines at a walk. I tried to trot Bouffe several times and I was always on the wrong diagonal and didn't feel secure in the seat. One thing that did work were the spurs, which were even more effective when I dropped my irons two holes.

To see if it helps me feel more secure, I am going to put the fleece seat cover on the 18" Smith Worthington saddle tomorrow. I measured the SW saddle again today and there is an entire hand width between my buttocks and the cantle where there should only be two to three figures width, which proves again the saddle is too big for me. I will know in a few hours if I win the auction for the 17" Passier Willi Schultheis  dressage saddle on eBay. From what I have read they are a close contact dressage saddle with a flatter cantle, which is exactly what I am looking for.

They other day, I found a full size bridle in one of my tack trunks and decided to use it today, rather than the cob size bridle Bouffe has been wearing. He was again his amazing self and stood completely still while I adjusted this bridle after the bit was in his mouth. He stood quietly by the mounting block while I got on and when I dismounted. I swear he knows it is his job to take care of me regardless of the circumstances. As far as I am concerned he is the perfect horse for me and I am very fortunate to have found him. The only behavior issue we need to work on is his dislike of the indoor arena and sometime this week I plan on doing that.

OTTB - Art Show

The photograph of Bouffe that is part of the header for this blog is to be on display in Baltimore beginning this Thursday July 11th. SoWeBo Arts is partnering with Zella's to hold a benefit art show for BARCS, the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. The show will be at Zella's 1145 Hollins Street 21223. The opening is Thursday evening from 6-8 pm.

I am very excited about this photograph being part of this show and hope it will promote OTTB adoptions. 

My hand is feeling better from the fall and I hope to ride Bouffe tomorrow.