Shorty has done well since November. We have started trotted more and integrating 3-4 trot poles in our exercise. We work on shoulder fore/shoulder in, side passing, turn on the haunches, and transitions. The only thing I have noticed developing since then was resistance bending to the right. On Dec. 26th, we decided to try regular shoes! It did not seem to change anything for a while. About 6 days later, however, Shorty had a day where he was acting really on edge, spooky, and unfocused. I knew something was not right. I did some ground work instead of riding since he was acting so funny, and he eventually showed me he looked sore and really hesitant to go forward. I haven't seen that in a while :(
He was due for his monthly dose of Pentosan, so I gave that to him that day. I have also added 10,000mg of MSM to his feed daily since then. I think both have been helping him. The next day he seemed okay again, thank goodness! Then our next ride was surprisingly really nice. I lunged him first walk/canter and I was concerned about him going to the left as it looked like there was a hitch in his stride at the canter. But when I got on we had a super ride! Besides his resistance to bend right, he was super light and offering roundness, stretchy trot, responsiveness, and he was even offering halt to canter transitions! He felt amazing. That was a fun ride.
Even so, I planned to have the vet out for a check-up to see about his right side. This was the best check-up so far. Shorty did not need acupuncture! There was no hock reactivity this time, but there was with his left front. She was able to adjust the spot on the right side of his neck that was most likely the culprit for his hesitation to bend right - he looked really ouchy there before fixed, poor boy. Most of his issues though were located in the thoracic/wither area under the saddle. He had some wither stuff last time, but not that much soreness under his saddle area. The 3 things that would contribute to that spot are: 1) ulcer/stomach issues which were ruled out, 2) saddle fit, which we checked and ruled out, and 3) compensation for some foot pain. Oh boy...I am going to have my farrier check the balance of his feet next week, and then if that checks out then we will put his bar shoes back on. Unfortunately, the vet noticed that he was very slightly walking toe first in the front. My main goal right now is to make sure we fix that and get a heel first landing; if he needs the bar shoes to continue supporting his neck and keeping him right, then that's what we'll stick with for now.
Shorty has changed so much since August which is a good thing! He continues to change and hopefully his body is normalizing to how it should be. The fact that he didn't need acupuncture is great! I was happy about no hock reactivity and the issues in his back end have stayed away - I have always thought that part of his issues have been from compensation from back there.
It rained quite a bit this last week and it has been so wet! I am going to go out again this afternoon and see how he's doing! I hope to ride :)
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