June 2007

Prince is sound enough to start more strenuous physical rehabilitation. The groundwork that has helped him get to this point is still part of his program to reinforce the new postural habits he'll need to stay sound. But he's also working in-hand on a short line and free longeing to help build a strong topline and keep him off his forehand to minimize concussion on those forefeet.

October 2007

With a strong, supple back and firm, elastic muscles, Prince is sound at all gaits (even running around in turnout with his buddies). He works nicely under saddle and is mastering the small circle on a longeline. He still has a tendency to hyperextend a bit at the trot, but he's carrying himself so much better. When he's focused and balanced, he's a gorgeous mover.

Read the whole story of Prince Charming's rehabilitation

September 2007

Anne is an 18-year-old quarter horse mare who had been retired for a couple of years after vets said she was too stiff to comfortably carry a rider. Her muscles overall feel rock-hard and she doesn't like to be touched or brushed, holding herself a bit apart from people. We start by doing some bodywork and gentle ground exercises just to help her be more comfortable in her body. She is a marvelous student, gaining suppleness and focus each week.
Then, her herdmate (her owner's young prospect and main riding horse) gets injured. So, we ask, what about trying to ride the new, more supple Anne? At first she reverts to her old habits - head-high posture, head-shaking, and nervousness about saddling and mounting. Her "gait" has no rhythm or swing; instead, she keeps repeatedly stalling and then spurting ahead on her forehand, which her rider finds quite challenging to sit.

January 2008

Under saddle, we simply reinforce the now-familiar ground exercises Anne was already enjoying - asking the mare to lift her back and engage her hind end in simple halt-walk transitions and doing lots and lots of bending work. After just a few rides, the frantic head-shaking pretty much disappears and we start to see the potential for developing an elastic topline.
Next in the progression comes lateral work - just a few steps at a time to help build the balance and push for solid walk-trot transitions. We are replacing her habit of dropping her back out from under the rider and falling forward into the transition, making a more comfortable situation for horse and human. She continues to become less defensive about being touched and even begins to seek human contact.