Heathers book

[skye]

Hi everyone,
haven't been on the EE board for quite some time now,but i'm back in the saddle (sort of) after 6 wks.I finally got heathers book this morning(many thanks to Lisae)and had to comment on what a refreshing read it is,have already read 45pages and i'm totally hooked.I got the go ahead to bring punch back into work now after his illness and injury and its going to be a long slog ,but will definately be well worth it.Today was the first time i've ridden in 6 wks (the longest break since i started ridding 12yrs ago) and it was lovely.I don't have a saddle for him at the moment so i'm riding him bareback.Although i only rode him for 10mins and he is very stiff i found him very cooperative to ride and is quite happy now to accept the bit and not bite or snatch.So after 10days almost permanetly lied down and 4wks stable confinement punch is very stiff ,anyone have any exercises to help?

[ros]

Hi Skye

Poor old Punch! Glad he's up and about now. I should think just regular, short spells of gentle exercise to start off with, just pretty much letting him do his own thing until he's back in the swing of it. I expect he'll let you know himself when he's ready to do a little bit more.

Keep us posted.

[Sue Watson]

Have you considered massaging him?

[skye]

I've been massaging him twice daily which he really enjoys.I've been riding him bareback for about 5-10mins at a time depending on how he is going (and my nerves as i had a nasty fall this time last year riding him bareback:rolleyes: ) He has been off any painkillers now for 2wks and seems much better apart from stiffness in his hind legs . He is very quiet to walk out inhand but still quite a lively mount .Can anyone suggest any good saddles? his old one no longer fits and i'm on a really tight budget after the vets bill.I've tried a maxam cob and its doesn't fit him in the slightest! Soon i Will hopefully send a recent picture of him trying to remove his grazing muzzle in the field ,which has the rest of us in stitches! I'm really enjoying heathers book,its making alot of sense .Even the stuff in the past i've not understood i now make sense of!

[Sue Watson]

Have you thought about trying some suppling work in long reins as well?