Chrome's first time in Vienna reins!

Before we get started I have two things to address.  One, please don't laugh at my baling twine Vienna reins.  I'm going to order real ones, but I'm on a tight budget right now because of the emergency vet bills.  I also wanted to see how he would do with them before I spent the money on a set.  Second, sorry for the quality of the photos.  They are screenshots from video.  I don't have time to process and upload the video right now so I just grabbed some screenshots for you.

Okay, next I'm going to update all of you on what we've been doing since the founder scare.  I'm still working with the master trimmer to get his feet healthy and he is finally landing heel first!!!  I'm so excited because that is something that has bothered me most of his life.  I was beginning to think it was a conformation issue that caused him to land toe first.  Oh how I wish I had known all of this years ago.  I could have saved him so much discomfort and wear and tear on his body.

The main two things I've done to get him landing heel first (diet is always first and foremost, but I've always been careful with his diet aside from grass which he is restricted from now) is backing up his toes to improve his break over and soaking them weekly in Oxine (off brand of White Lightning).  He obviously won't always have to be soaked that frequently, but until I get the seedy toe grown out and his white line tight I will keep doing it.  It can take a year to grow a new hoof capsule so this is a slow journey!!  I'm in it for the long haul, so I don't mind.  I'm just so happy I finally know what I need to know to get him rehabbed.  

For the last two weeks I've been hand walking him everyday.  I'm walking him two days a week on the asphalt roads and the rest of the days in the pasture.  I'm not longeing him because of his stifles.  I'm hand walking him, but I'm making sure he's walking out and not dragging along like a lazy slug.  His walk has improved SO much in the last two weeks!!  He used to chronically short stride in his front legs and now he's reaching forward freely (because of the corrected break over).  I slowly worked him up to twenty minutes a day of hand walking up and down a slight incline in the pasture.

Over the years of being a pasture ornament and having an incorrect break over on his hooves he has lost all of his top line and is even getting a ewe neck!  Ugh!!  So in an effort to start very slowly correcting that (yes I know it can take two years) I decided to try him in Vienna reins.  Today I longed him in them for five minutes on each side, just so he could learn how they work, but from now on I'll just be hand walking him in them.  When I'm hand walking him I'm sort of facing him with my upper body as if I were longeing, but we're going in straight lines to protect his stifles.  I'll try to get video or pictures some time to show you what I mean.

I put them on really loose at first, but he wasn't making any contact with them and was walking with his ears in the clouds, so I tightened them up a bit.  It took him some time to figure out how to relieve the pressure, but eventually he started stretching down.  He was lacking impulsion because he was distracted by this new, weird thing, but it will improve once he relaxes.  He was just confused at first.  He really started stretching down in the end and his stride lengthened and got more relaxed.  I know we have a long way to go, but I'm pleased with how his first session went.

Chrome thought it was hard work and even sweated under the surcingle even though it was only 88F today.  It felt amazing outside!  Definitely a nice pretty day to try something new.

Once he has more impulsion from behind he will start to round his back better, but he's very weak right now so I'm not pushing him too hard.  It is a long, slow process to build the correct muscles, especially with weak stifles.  I'm also doing other in hand exercises like massage, backing up with his neck down and relaxed, pelvic tilts, lateral flexion and tail pulls.  Just stuff to slowly loosen him up and strengthen his body.

In the above picture you can see how his reach in the front is improving.  No more short stepping!

Oops these are out of order, this one should be before the one above it.

The reason the angle is weird is because my hubby was taking the video while standing behind my whip hand, so he's not at the girth line where I was.  Makes for some awkward photos, but you can see how well Chrome's figuring it out.

Reaching under with his hind legs better too.  The reach and impulsion will get better as his stifles and back get stronger.

He had one minor freak out where he started going backward and fighting the reins, but I told him to whoa and he did.  I calmed him and we went right back to work.  I didn't get as many photos going the other direction because hubby forgot to start filming.  He only filmed about two minutes going to the right.  The weird thing is Chrome's stiffer on the right side, but I think he actually did better.  Maybe because he was just finally figuring out what I wanted.  His shoulder was falling in on this side and his head wanted to turn to the outside, but with the longe line and whip I was able to push his shoulder out.  That may be why he improved because it was like applying the inside leg, outside rein.  We are SO out of practice with longeing since I generally try to avoid it because of his stifles, that I'm actually really happy with how well we both picked it back up.

 That reach with his hind leg!  Love it!

I know some horses reach all the way to their girth, but I'll celebrate the baby steps!

Even when his head came up (above pictures) you could see he was giving to the pressure instead of fighting it.  I don't want him learning to go behind the vertical though, which is why I will loosen them up now that he knows what I'm asking.

Such a good boy!  I ended the longeing session on a nice downward stretch.  We finished his last ten minutes of hand walking moving around the pasture in straight lines.  Hubby didn't get any video of that (he was busy building something and I interrupted him, so he was impatient to get back to it).  He did really well and was relaxing a lot more with our familiar routine of hand walking (longeing is not familiar for us!).  I didn't take him up and down the incline we normally work on because he needs to build strength on flat ground before I ask him to do that with his head down.  Pushing uphill with his rear end is what will strengthen his stifles, but I have to be very careful not to overdo it.

I'm really proud of how well Chrome has done during the last month or so of rehab we've been doing.  I'm so excited that he's landing heel first and we're able to work in hand again.  His feet will improve the more miles I can put on him, but I have to take it slow because of his stifles.  As they get stronger we will be able to do more.  For now everything is in walk only.  I've asked him to trot a few times just to see that he's sound, but I don't want to stress his stifles with too many circles and I can't keep up with him on straight lines at the trot.  We might have to start ground driving again... eventually.

I'm not looking forward to the cold, rain and mud of winter, but I'm going to keep working him every day that it's not raining when I get off work and I'll update you guys on the weekends when I have daylight to get pictures.  I hope you all are doing well and I want to thank Chrome's loyal fans who have stuck around during our long absence.  Fortunately the over time at work has been cut back drastically which I'm very thankful for so that I can rehab Chrome and give him the exercise he needs and deserves.  I'll update again soon!

Chrome Walking Video

The PT work I'm doing with Chrome is apparently helping!  He was galloping around and being a nut case when I got home from work.  :D  I haven't seen him more do more than a walk with an occasional lazy trot in a week, so that made me very happy!

I did his stretches, walking, tail pulls, backing and walking over railroad ties again today.  On his stretching and walking I'm noticing he has more reach on his right hind and is stiffer on his left hind.  His left is the side that locks up so that makes sense.  His backing wasn't as good today as the other day, but I did it immediately after walking and we were on the flat driveway, compared to last time it was after he'd had a break (grazing) from walking and was on grass and a slight slope.  So I'm not worried that he's back sliding or anything.

Just for fun I got a video showing his walk, so you can see the overstep (or lack of) and also so you can see how I'm walking him.  It's easier to show, than to explain.

Direct Link

He doesn't like me swinging the rope at his butt, because he'd rather be lazy, but he's a good boy and does it anyway.  I will definitely continue doing all of this when I start riding again.  I'm so impatient for Saturday to get here so I can see if getting trimmed makes a big difference compared to the slow progress with the PT.  I'm also thinking about getting the target stick back out for our walks to see if I can get him to walk with a long stride, but with his head down more.  He's developing an ugly ewe neck....

Now, I have to go to bed.  It's getting late.  So I'll leave you with these adorable pictures of my sweet boy.

Stifles Update

Thanks for the comments guys! Chrome is fine. This is actually a really mild episode of his stifles locking. I'm just being extra cautious since I've been riding him quite a bit for the challenge. His health comes first.

The ground work and physical therapy have been really helpful. He didn't lock up (no toe dragging) at all today and wasn't sticky with every step while grazing like he was a couple of days ago.  The only time I really noticed it was during tight turns (they didn't give out, but he slows way down and acts like he's expecting it to happen) and when asking him to pick up his hooves (he has to shift around to unlock them before I can pick them up... It wasn't happening when moving forward or sideways, only when picking up).

I did his stretches and tail pulls, then let him graze while I brushed him and applied his neem oil. Then I decided to try backing. Most of you probably know by now that he has trouble backing. He seems to lock up worse going back than forward which is weird because most horses use backing up to unlock. Today however, he did great!

I held his halter while standing directly in front of him, asked him to lower his head and back up. We were on the soft grass with a very slight downward incline. Very slight. Barely noticeable lol. When I asked him to back up he hesitated for a split second as if he thought he wouldn't be able to and then started backing. When he realized it wasn't going to lock up, he backed confidently, quickly and energetically with perfect diagonals. I've never seen him back that easily and quickly before!! He normally drags his feet backward, but today all four were easily clearing the ground. That made me so happy! I think the PT is making a big difference. I'm going to have to keep it up even when I start riding again.

I'm doing the walking and stretches every day, but doing the tail pulls every other day. For the walking I'm holding the rope in my far hand, facing him and flicking the end of the rope at his haunches so that he engages himself. When I lead him normally he steps his hind hooves in his front prints with his hind toe only about an inch in front of his front toe print. When I ask him to walk out he steps his rear hoof in front of his front print with about three or four inches between the front toe and rear heel. That's quite an overstep!! It's important though because the lazy walk does nothing for him.

As of right now I'm hand walking him on the driveways. I figure a break from the pavement is a good idea right now.

One other thing. I forgot to mention; when I rode Rocky the other day Chrome was hiding from flies in the barn out of sight. At one point Rocky neighed for Chrome. Chrome didn't answer. I was worried Rocky would get upset if he didn't know where Chrome was, so I called Chrome's name. He immediately neighed and walked to the gate to see me!!!!! How cool is it that my horse will answer to me and not even his pasture mate????? Chrome also ignores my husband's and dad's vehicles when they get home from work (we live on the same property but different houses), but when I drive up he comes to the gate and neighs at me! I love him!!

Stifles

Sorry no pictures.

I'm giving Chrome the week off because my farrier can't come out to trim him until this weekend.  His stifle started locking up again (like toe dragging locked) yesterday and it was sticky too (with every stride while grazing).   I did some stretches yesterday and today he isn't locking and isn't sticking every stride.  It still gives out occasionally and he has trouble with tight turns.

Due to all of that I have decided that during his time off I'm going to be biking (and keeping it up on the days I don't ride even after this week because if he has to exercise, I do too) and doing some of his PT stuff.

I'm starting with stretches, tail pulls and forward walking, then I'll work on backing, transitions in hand and stepping over things.  Once I'm back in the saddle after his trim I'll work on all of that while riding.

Here is a really interesting article (LINK) that explains what I'll be doing.  It explains the four stretches and the tail pulls.  The time frame on it is much longer because it's for injury rehab I think.  I probably should stretch Chrome's in hand work out longer, but I've been riding him anyway and it wasn't bothering him until his feet got long.  If his stifle is still sticky after the trim I'll stick with in hand stuff until he's moving normally.  I'm not expecting that to happen though, because he always goes back to normal after a trim.

If I don't post a lot this week, that is why.  It's not because anything is wrong.  :)  To be honest, I've really enjoyed the bonding I've done the past two days with him.  I'm having to start his neem oil because he's already starting to itch (he has sweet itch for any new readers), so between thorough grooming, applying neem oil, letting him graze, doing stretches, hand walking, etc. he's getting a LOT of attention in the evenings after work.  :D

Chrome Ride 118 - 100 Ride Challenge Ride 4

Sorry there are no pictures today.  I forgot to take my phone with me.  I was alone today (hubby at work) so I just rode bareback.... in the pasture!  I was nervous about riding in the pasture bareback (because that's where I was when I fell off) and it didn't help that he was being passive aggressively... uhh gate sour...  See he isn't barn sour because he doesn't want to go to the barn.  He wants to go to the gate to get out of the pasture.  He hates riding out in the pasture.  So I guess my horse is the opposite of barn/pasture sour.  Regardless it meant he was drifting, trying to turn, balking, etc. but it was at the walk only and fairly mild.  When I told him to quit he would... until the next time lol.

The ride was only fifteen minutes because something felt weird to me.  It was only when walking on a very slight downhill that was muddy.  He wasn't limping, but something just felt weird.  So when the goat started harassing us again (oh and riding in the pasture is a pain because none of the others will leave me alone... so annoying) I jumped off of Chrome's back and chased after the goat yelling at him (I must look crazy).  The funny thing is Chrome didn't move from where I left him (not even to go to the gate).  He just watched me and stood politely when I walked back up to him.  Good boy!

I undid one rein and longed him at the length of both reins.  At the walk his stifles looked... loose.  That's the only way I can think to describe it.  Not wobbly, but just loose.  It's hard to describe and most people probably wouldn't notice it.  I did because I know him so well.  At the trot he looked fine.  I rubbed and poked and prodded both stifles and he watched me, but he didn't pin his ears, shift his feet or swish his tail, so I'm guessing they don't hurt.  They are just really loose and weak.  I have got to stop letting him get so out of shape in the winter.  All of the standing around the hay bale for hours on end every day is so bad for him!!

So it was only fifteen minutes, but since we worked on lateral flexion, backing and weaving in and out of the barn poles I still consider it an actual ride.  I only rode right up around the front of the pasture because I'm too chicken to take him too far when he's wanting to spin and go back to the gate.  He wasn't excitable or explosive or anything, but he was very "light".  If I asked him to turn with a mere whisper of a rein cue he wanted to spin all the way around.  Make sense?  It made me a little nervous.  I had to keep the reins short and balance the cues with the outside rein so he wouldn't over turn, instead of riding him on the buckle.

Anyway enough about the ride.  There's two things I want to tell you guys about.  One happened today and one was yesterday that I forgot to tell you about.

Yesterday I had Chrome tied up and was grooming him.  He started rubbing his head on the tree (which he does all the time and I scold him for it), but I was brushing his back legs so I didn't see him do it.  The next thing I know he almost sat on me, which scared me to death.  I jumped out of the way and saw that Chrome had gotten his head under the rope so it was behind his poll and he was pulling back with all of his strength (which he doesn't normally do).  It finally popped over the top of his head, but instead of stopping he kept pulling until he broke his halter.... my favorite halter.... the one I had searched for ages for....  luckily it's only the throat snap so I can replace it.  He didn't get loose from the tree, but just decided to stop pulling and stood there.  Maybe my yelling finally sank into his little pea brain.  It took me ages to untie him (I had a quick release, but I put the tail through the loop because he likes to untie himself and it tightened up when he pulled) and then I tied him back up and we carried on like nothing happened (with his plain blue halter, not his pretty one).

Today when I lined Chrome up alongside the round pen panel so I could get on out in the pasture he stepped away.  He has done that before, but he normally only does it once and it's only maybe 2% of the time.  When I reset him he will stand still.  So I circled him around, lining him back up.  He did it again!!  It was a very deliberate step sideways, just far enough so I couldn't get on.  He was doing it as soon as I started to climb the fence.  I jumped down and smacked him (with a flat palm) on the butt and made him do two tight circles.  Then I lined him back up and he didn't move again.  I was able to climb up the fence and slide onto his back.  The little brat is testing me I think.  I can tell I haven't done much with him for five months...  bad me!

So Chrome isn't perfect (not that I ever said he was... okay maybe I did...).  He has his moments.  I still love him though.  He really is a sweet horse and not a difficult horse at all.  I'm sad his stifles are giving him problems, but I shouldn't be surprised.  This happens every spring after a winter off.  Now I just have to figure out how much is enough exercise and how much is too much.  I really wanted to start riding him more than one day in a row instead of always every other day.  I thought at his age that it wouldn't be a big deal, but I guess I had forgotten about his stifles.  I'm going to give him the rest of today off and then tomorrow bring him out on the driveway to watch him walk and trot.  The mud is hard on his stifles because the weak muscles are the ones that pull the hind leg up and forward.  I think it's the equivalent of the quads on humans.  If he's walking fine on hard ground tomorrow I'll go ahead and ride him.  I'll just avoid the mud.

Anyway sorry for the rambling.  I just need to get this down so I remember it. Also I did the math (scary I know) and I have to ride at least ten days a month to complete the challenge in December lol.  I don't know if I'll manage that!  At times like now, when the weather is nice it's one thing, but there are times in the summer where it's downright dangerous to ride in the heat and humidity.  We shall see.  The stifles complicate things too.  If we can't do it, it's no big deal.  It's still a motivation to get out there and ride.  :)  Thanks for listening guys!