update to rt hind lameness

[easychoice]

I've had the chrio out 3 times and made some major changes in his feed. (he's getting 1lb of strategy, 2 lb of Ultim, and 2oz of wheat germ oil am and pm), midday he gets 32 oz of beet pulp, 16 oz of rice bran, a probio, 1 cup of veg oil, and a handfull of horse treats all watered down in cold water. He gets sooo excited to see that green bucket arrive during the heat of the day and gobbles it all down. He also gets lots of alfalfa mixed hay 3 times a day.

Tony's put on 50 pounds in the last 2 weeks and appears to be getting back to his ole self. I sold the County saddle and I'll be riding him in a western saddle that distributes weight better than any dressage saddle I've tried until we get his top line built back up. It'll also help me feel a bit more secure if/when Tony tries to pull any stunts on me:-)

I also sent his former race trainer a letter to see if he'll provide a health history for me.

I'm riding him in a lesson on Wed in the new western saddle for the first time. Wish us luck!

[TeachU2Ride]

Good luck! Glad you're getting things figured out.

[easychoice]

Thanks Teach, had a massage therapist out today and it's been recommended we stay off his back for awhile - lots of soft tissue soreness. So Tony is going to be a pampered 'pasture pet' for the next month.

BTW the western saddle works! So once he's feeling better, I'll be riding my dressage horse 'western' for awhile:)

[Luci]

Glad you found something that works for him. Bet he'll be happy to be a pet for a month

[easychoice]

It's kind of funny. I've ridden him maybe 3 times since April but my trainer was riding/working him 5 days a week. Today I gave him a nice cool shower and took him into the arena to give him a massage. He kept looking around at me as if he was wondering what I was up to. He was figgity (sp) but seemed to enjoy it for a while. He's usually tacked up in the arena and has figured out that if he pulls hard enough on his tie he'll break either the rope or the snap on his halter. I ran the rope through the tie ring but hung onto the end to teach him if he pulls he'll get no where but if he slackens up he gets 'release'.

I'm know there's many other things I can do from the ground for the next month and who knows maybe it'll help him trust me more. He has started to come to me when I call him in from the pasture :-)