Ok folks blogger hates me and I can not get my pics edited any longer. I don't know why as I have tried both my home MAC and my work PC but I think it is because I’m using the app on my phone to upload the pics. More experimentation to be had. Sorry for the large photos |
Eeyore is still in rehab mode but each week expands what we can do. This past week we could do two 2 minute trot sets with a 5 minute walk break between and a total of 30 minutes ride time. The vet emphasized how important the 5 minutes was saying that if we were focusing on cardio we would shorten it, but in this case we need to allow full blood flow to return to the area before stressing again. Apparently some studies are showing necrosis of soft tissues in race horses from restricted blood flow with high intensity work and not enough rest.
Anyway...
Eeyore has continued his dreams of being a plod horse and I've continued to insist that he actually march forward and put some effort into life. I switched him back to his dressage bit (single joint full cheek snaffle) since we aren't jumping any time soon. The first ride back in it was awful. He hung on my hands so much, but I persisted in informing him that he could in fact hold his own damn head up thankyouverymuch. It reminded me of why we switched to the Wonder Bit, but that isn't dressage legal and I need to get him back into his dressage bit more.
The subsequent rides all improved so he is getting the memo even if he is unhappy about it. I've also reintroduced the 20 m circle at the trot. The first week, with a single 2 minute trot set, there really wasn't enough time to work within the trot, but with two sets I can focus on going one direction the first time and then the other the next. I've been making myself do it all at the sitting trot because why not?
Eating grass while he dries off so I can wrap his leg back up again. |
Between all the two point time and now the sitting trot work, I can really feel a big difference in my riding strength which has in turn boosted my confidence tremendously. I even took the second 10 minute walk out of the arena and in the pasture!
This week we get to do two three minute trot sets so yay for progress. My ultimate plan, if I can ever come up negative in my testing, is to return to dressage lessons with either AB or MD (haven't decided yet - probably try both and see) once cleared for canter work August 1st. We may even hit up some dressage shows this fall because why not? We won't be jumping for a while and lord knows our dressage needs a ton of work.
Great idea about focusing on dressage while the rehab work continues.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for negative tests.
I figure we might as well do something other than toodle. I'm not leaving the property until I get my negative result so trails are even out for now
DeleteIt's always good to work on dressage. :)
ReplyDeleteRight?
DeleteDressage and flatwork is never bad. Hope the rehab continues to go well!
ReplyDeleteSo far it has had some great results. We aren't winning at dressage but he is no longer rushing off to canter everywhere because he knows he isn't allowed to. It has made me more strict
Deletelol you're brave for all that sitting trot -- major kudos! ugh god i just hate sitting trot. hate hate. and am so so bad at it :(
ReplyDeleteAB makes me do sitting trot every lesson so I figured I'd better practice
DeleteI hope the rehab continues well and your test comes back negative soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHave you tried a Boucher on him? I feel like you have but can't remember... it makes June curl and duck, but it was great on Georgie and provided some much needed leverage... plus it's dressage legal!
ReplyDeleteI rode Gem in a boucher and she seemed to like it. Trainer AB hates that bit so I've never used it on Eeyore.
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