On the eve of Stampede going to see the vet about his back (again), I thought I would do a quick update on him and share a video of his current movement so we can compare during and after his treatment and rehab. This week I lunged him on Monday and Friday and rode him Wednesday and today. I would say the increased lunging is definitely helping him under saddle, but it’s definitely not enough on its own. I do think Stampede can trick people into thinking he looks normal as he still has a long stride, but he’s not moving correctly (or happily). I got a new iPhone, so I now have the slow mo option, and I think in slow mo it becomes clear something is not right in his back.
I’m trying to remain cautiously optimistic about his future, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t have some doubts about his ability to be comfortable under saddle in the future.
Selfie with the Stampy – yes I’m 5’11” and he’s huge!
Either way, this adorable beast isn’t going anywhere. Worst case my husband will cry when we have to welcome a third pony into the family and keep Stampede at home.
Awkward gawking at the windows
He’s skilled at giving me the ‘look of the eagles’ pose
Winter ‘grazing’
Meanwhile, Phoenix continues to be very eager to be my lesson pony. Honestly, he pretty much works on running away with me when we canter the first direction because he’s so excited to be there. It’s just so cute that I can’t really get very mad. Not sure I will ever meet another horse with his work ethic and happy attitude again in my life, he is truly special.
Proud of himself after our lesson yesterday
Looking cute before our Tuesday night lesson
So wish Stampede and I luck tomorrow on our journey tomorrow. I will attempt to update on his status in the next few days.
Best of luck tomorrow!! I hope all goes well for you and Stamp!
I’m sure you’ve researched all kinds of info on kissing spines, but I feel wrong not suggesting that you look up Jean Luc Cornille, of Science of Motion. He is hands down the most intelligent person I know when it comes to horse biomechanics and what we can do to make them more comfortable, and he has proven success with horses who have Kissing Spine. There are actually several articles relating to this matter on his site (just google science of motion). Even if you could find a clinic he was doing near you to audit…. I promise it will change the way you think about riding.
I had been to this site before but I hadn’t gone very far into it. Do you know what he has against lunging? Other than that I believe the rehab plan the vet is outlining is pretty similar in many ways. I’m so bad at accents it’s hard to understand what he’s saying in the videos I found on youtube!
He is super hard to understand at first. The first time I rode with him I had to have a friend (who is very familiar with him) stand in the middle of the ring and “translate”. I swear it gets easier though!! His website is also not the easiest to navigate, unfortunately. I cannot totally answer for him but I would assume his reason for disliking lunging is there is no way to keep the horse light in the forehand and encourages flat forward movement instead of the preferred up and down motion of the forelegs.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you!
Thanks!
good luck!! hopefully the vet has some good ideas for a plan. in the meantime – glad phoenix is enjoying the lessons!
Thanks! Not sure what I would do without Mr. P!
Good luck. Hoping y’all get some good news.
Thanks!