May update - one year on!

[Whatanejit]

Well would you believe that it has been exactly a year since I started to share May - a moody chestnut mare - 15hh ish and of welsh cob breeding (we think).

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Mayfriday.png

A brief history for those who havn't met May yet..........

She was a teenager's pony who did all pony club activities with her but sold her when heading off to uni to the RDA at the age of 7.

On the way to the RDA May had some sort of accident in a trailer - we are not sure what exactly happened but she has never loaded since :rolleyes:

May hated being a RDA horse and in a short period of time was labelled as a 'dangerous horse'.
She reared, kicked, wouldn't let the staff pick up her feet etc.
She was so bad that they weren't even going to pass her on to another owner and were considering having her PTS :eek:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Maycloseup.png



Along came May's current mum to the rescue. She was an RDA helper and was the only one who liked her. An exchange of £700 occured and May was walked for 1hr from one side of town to the other to a field where she lived for 3 years.
This was a great time for May as in the winter she didn't get ridden at all and in the summer she would be lucky to be ridden once a week.
In the meantime May's mum qualified as a Human and Equine Shiatsu practitioner and May was her favourite client.

Behaviourally this break, gentle handling and freedom did wonders for May.

From a weight point of view it was awfull - she was obese all year round and is really lucky not to have suffered from laminitis.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/MayJulybig.png

3 years of field livery took its toll on May's mum though so she moved to our current yard. She tried 2 sharers before me but May wouldn't even move for them and she started to get up to her old behavioural tricks again.

Who me?
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Mayapple.png


Primed with info from the Kelly Marks books, this website and the behavioural coaching from our RI when handling Cooper in the early days, I started to handle May and we clicked.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Octmaydee2.png

Now she is a completely different kettle of fish to dog like Coops.

I pretty much handle her the BHS way in that she gets tied up when I go in the stable for grooming or if I muck out around her. If you give her even an inch she is naughty but she just needs to know who is in charge and she is a pussy cat.

After 2 months we persuaded her mum to put a grazing muzzle on her.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Maymuzzle1.png

The leopard skin faux fur was an idea nicked from domane to help stop it rubbing her.

[Whatanejit]

She was much too clever for that though and..............

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Mayhoudini.png

..........she escaped!

We tried again with a new one and it stayed on so by Oct she had lost loads of weight and looked more like this.........

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/OctMayweight.png

bit of a change from this........

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/MayJulybig.png

Winter came upon us and the pounds piled on - I got really fed up as her mum just loves to feed her and rarely rides - it really was a losing battle.

The girth that had gone from 3 and 2

to

5 and 5

and was back to

3 and 3 again.

Still, I rode as often as I could in the winter - she will comfortably hack out on her own now - she hadn't done for 4 years.

I lunged her over poles - she was beginning to lose a bit of weight in this vid - she gets v. excited over poles.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/th_Maylungingoverpoles.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/?action=view&current=Maylungingoverpoles.flv)

We persuaded her mum to put the muzzle on from the beginning of April.

Wow! what a difference............

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/May071.png

Her mum was also thinking of selling or loaning her.

OH and I thought about it for ages. May has been great for me especially with Coops off work for so much of the year but OH can't ride her. If we were to buy a second horse it would have to be one that he could ride too.

We did however, agree that we would take her on loan for 6 months to see how it went.

Things changed again though when her mum came back from her honeymoon saying that she wasn't ready to give her up just yet.

We were delighted actually as May loves her mum and we love her company down the yard and are now good friends.

Over burger and chips we have come to a new arrangement where I now have May 5 days per week, including the whole weekend.
Her mum will have her one full weekend in 4.
I pay half the livery & shoes (she only wears front shoes)
She pays half the livery & insurance & all vet bills.

Bargain!

So the above all starts on the 1st June.

So not quite a two horse family but not a kick in the watsit off it!


No vids of it yet but i have started clicker training with May too and being v.v.v.v.v. food orientated she is taking to it really well.

My aim is to get her loading by the end of the summer.

We had a Kelly Marks RA out last year to help us load and this was as far as we got..........

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/MayJantrailer.png

Oh this is all terribly tiring.........

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/May/Mayyawn1.png

[Montana]

Lovely update W'ejit, I don't think I've ever heard May's full story before. I knew she had weight issues but not all of the other behavioural and loading stuff, poor girl:(

She looks a thousand times better now though, and the new arrangement sounds great:D Is she just too small for OH to ride?

[*toHorse&Away*]

What an inspiring story, and what wonders you both have done to turn her round like that.:D :D :D
She is a very lucky girl

[Kecka~Rocka]

What a lovely story you have to tell, i really enjoyed reading it, got a tear in my eye but i am a big softy!

Hope things progress well, May is a lucky lady to have so many good people in her life. Good luck with the trailer loading i know you will both get their!!

Keep us updated x

[Joyscarer]

A lovely story that puts things into perspective for me. At least Joy is just green with no other challenges than the usual schooling ones.

I love the way you write by the way. Perhaps you could find some mag or something to do a regular feature in :)

[domane]

A great reminder of a year of May - always entertaining W'ejit :)

I haven't needed to muzzle Chez this year - she is chaperone to Ludo until he is safe to mix with the others and therefore they are confined to a paddock with not much grass.... her leopardskin had to go as quite frankly it was MANK :p - should we need it, this year's fur colour is PURPLE (although don't tell HC, she will come and nick it!!!)

I'm glad you are continuing your shared care of May, sounds like you get the lion's share ;) - and undoubtedly you will eventually get success with the loading issues, I have every faith in you and look forward to more piccies over the summer :)

[NicP]

It is indeed a lovely story - May is lucky to have found somebody with the patience and love to bring out the best in her.

[VickiGG]

Hi Dee - great summary! Loved the video of the lunging ROTFLOL - Garbo would just go on the inside of the poles!! :confused: that was excellent..... does she like jumping? Loved the way she just changed direction.. :D Funny.... I hope you don't think I am laughing at you - but rather with you - I have lots of challenges with lunging and I can relate to this video so much.... :D

I am thinking of getting a muzzle for Blue when he is better - he really is too fat.... is that all you changed?

oh - and are you going to try clicker training for loading?

Keep me posted. Blue hates floats with a real vengeance and at my old yard I had him loading well and staying on with clicker training but I rushed the last bit - doing up the barriers and door and he rushed off never to go on again. I have left it for a year or so - I got him to the new yard x 2 with sheer brut force and the NH way with the whip - which I don't really like doing because he is so scared of the whip - so I have JUST started clicker training him again loading... he will stay on for about 30 seconds then back off - and only if there is hay on board!

Perhaps we could plan sessions on the same weekends and post a joint thread progress report?

[coverblown]

what a lovely update about May, so nice to read all about her, Dee.

And what a change, almost a different horse, I didn't realise she was as much as 15hh, her tummy made her look like a little pony! She looks great now. You ought to be really proud of her, and yourself too. FANTASTIC!

[Whatanejit]

:D :D :D

Aww! Thanks for all those lovely comments about May.

Montanna
Yes she is just about 15hh - maybe smaller - I plan to measure her this weekend. OH is 6ft 1inch and depending on the time of year will weigh between 14-15 stones. Even if she was able to take his weight he would look silly and he is much to vain for that :p

to H and a -
thankyou

KR
Sniff - it is amazing how behavioural issues in horses can be managed with a change in lifestyle. Hey, I am still in my infancy re learning all of this but what an education?


Joyscare
Much appreciated re the writing. I am struggling with a paper that I have to get published in a medical journal at the moment - fingers crossed it will be presentable in a few weeks :) It is great to hear other stories to put your own issues into perspective.

Domane
Good old Cherry keeping the weight off - I really think that I want to wear a muzzle!

Nic P

Cheers - May's mum is the patient one - in fact she is almost horizontal. I am not that patient but yet am in no rush. I do admit she infuriates me at times only because I go from her to Coops who is completely different. I have to keep reminding myself of how far we have come and often count to 10.

Vicki
Hee hee! May thinks that the faster she spins around on the lunge and then change direction herself that the quicker it is all over. In fact that is true as her mum thinks this is hilarious and lets her do it.
Aunty Dee is much stricter and insists on so many circles in each direction in each pace - I'm such a teacher!
When she changes direction like that I always stop her, and make her circle in the original direction. It really is a battle of wills the little madam.
Yes I plan to use the clicker target to load her. She is already running around the school with me quite easily and LOVES this game.
My problem is that we don't have transport and it is a whole palava persuading someone to get their trailer placed in an appropriate position to practice. As a result scheduling with you would be v.v.v.v.v difficult. Shame about poor only Blue - still there is nothing to be afraid of - we just need to convince them of that! :)

Ann
Thanks. You are right I think she might be a bit smaller - I'll measure her this weekend and we will all find out!


xx

Dee

[Chinarider]

Lovely post :) What a lucky girl to have 2 such caring mums.

What did we do with our time before horses came into our lives !!!!

[NoviceNic]

Gosh has it really been a year.....:eek: Doesnt time fly when your having fun...:cool: Never thought about May's height. I guess her belly just made me think she was a stumpy little pony of around 14 2hh. But 15hh....wow she is so beautiful now but can you imagine those long flowing legs on a streamline belly...mm mmmm mmmmm :D

[Whatanejit]

Thanks CR and NN :)

Well I measured her this afternoon and she is 14.3 hh we think. So not that far off the 15hh - that is with shoes on though.

She definately needs to lose a bit more weight but that will be hard in the summer but as long as her she doesn't put it on again we should do ok.

I forgot to mention that May had a cough for most of the winter and after a few vet visits they think it may be the onset of COPD. As a result, she now has.........

wet hay fed off the floor
and
Naf easibreath herbs.

This seems to have done the trick so far and she hasn't coughed since the first week in April.

Fingers crossed we can keep it at bay.

[Jill_H]

What a great post Dee and some lovely photos. Hope to see you, OH, Cooper and May at one of this year's RDA events.

Jill

[Sammii]

What a fantastic post....really cheered me up! :)
I really cannot believe it's been a year already though :eek:
Thinking about it, it's mine and Red's one year anniversary at the end of June!
You have worked wonders with her, as with Cooper. It's really inspriational!
Congratulations on the new loan agreement aswell, even more good news!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

:D:D In more ways than one!! :D:D

[Bay Mare]

She's a gorgeous girlie :D

Thank you for the update x

[Imp]

Oh she's sooo gorgeous...

She's also a credit to you Dee, lovely girlie :D

I particularly love the 'nose on shots' - yawn the best - is there anything that'll make you smile more than a horse yawning? :D

Well done, you've got a calming and stabilising (no pun intended) influence on equines that we can all see for miles hun ;) (Meg's ready and available as a student whenever you're free :) )

Lynda xx

[Bobbin]

I'm glad you have still got May and things are going well.

xx

[LindaAd]

Loved the video of the lunging ROTFLOL - Garbo would just go on the inside of the poles!! :confused: that was excellent?

That was a very entertaining video ... Maybe if you used a proper lunge whip instead of that short stick, and pointed it at her shoulder when she ducked to the inside, she might have a better idea of what you want her to do ...:rolleyes:

[Whatanejit]

Cheers Jill - we plan to be over there a lot this year.:)

Thanks Samii. Looking forward to your anniversary update too. Lovely coloured congrats!

Thanks BM - glad you enjoyed Heather - it'll be me soon :D

Waves to Imp! I love them yawning and chewing a juicy apple you almost salivate watching them.

Cheers Bobbin. Despite the odds it is probably better I didn't move yards in the end or I wouldn't have her.

Hi Linda - long time no read. What short stick are you talking about? I was using a proper lunge whip :confused: :rolleyes: :p
May knows what to do - she even does this with the RI - she is too clever for her own good and a bossy old boot.
Your not going to fill my posts with sarcy, inaccurate comments again now you are back are you?

[kirstie]

Happy 1 year Anniverisary :)

May's a gorgeous girly and she's lucky to have you as a sharer.

Love the picture of her with her muzzle round the neck, the cheeky mare :D that's something i think amba would do when she gets her muzzle on.

[Bay Mare]

Thanks BM - glad you enjoyed Heather - it'll be me soon :D


Are you going to the conference or is she doing something before then?

[Whatanejit]

Thanks Kirstie - I did laugh initially when I saw her but actually it could have been fatal - that particular muzzle wasn't a field safe one but was buckled so she could have been badly hurt - she now has a velcroed field safe.

I'm off to Heather's for a simulator course in July BM - can't wait

[Bay Mare]

Brilliant :) I'm going in August and am really looking forward to it :D

[nfamber]

What a lovely post:)
Mays looking realy good! I cant wait to post something similar when stars lost her weight!
I love before and after pics

Congratulations!!
She looks great:D

[Clare-22]

Happy Anniversary :D

The new slim line May looks fantastic, she must feel so much better :)

I am sure she will come on even more now you are having more involvement with her. You must be so excited :D

[LindaAd]

Hi Linda - long time no read. What short stick are you talking about? I was using a proper lunge whip :confused: :rolleyes: :p
May knows what to do - she even does this with the RI - she is too clever for her own good and a bossy old boot.
Your not going to fill my posts with sarcy, inaccurate comments again now you are back are you?

Oops! Sorry - I had another look, and yes I could see in the first couple of frames that it was long. But it still didn't look as if May was getting the message. I was only trying to be helpful. So yes to inaccurate, but not intentionally sarky, no.

Linda

[cazrider]

Lovely stuff Dee.:D

Glad to hear about the arrangement you've come to.

It amused me your comment about the vain OH. Mine is 6ft 3in and he has ridden Sennie, who as you know is 15hh like May. He carries him easily as he's a lightweight, but vanity definitely got in the way and he hasn't done it since. However, I'd have thought that being three inches shorter ought to mean your OH's legs would be taken up better than Richard's were in the below pic.;)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a24/cazrider/IMG_1228.jpg

[Whatanejit]

You'll get there with Star Nfamber but it just takes a while. The worst thing I find is when we are out hacking - May just becomes obsessed with the grass verges and bushes and constantly tries to snatch at them. She has even stopped dead from a canter accross a field and stuck her head down for a munch - I nearly flew over her head!


Thanks Clare - it is great and I am soo lucky - just about worth puting up with the YOs I have.

Thanks for trying to help Lindad but the tone of your responses is somewhat sharp at times - you may want to read them twice before you post.

Cheers CR. Great photo of the two men in your life. My OH's legs wouldn't even go down that far as may is like a barrel and your legs go out rather than down! :D

Richard has a good position doesn't he?

[cazrider]

Richard has a good position doesn't he? yeah, much better than mine. Makes you sick!;)

[teabiscuit]

lovely May, great update too:D

[icegirl]

Just noticed this thread and enjoyed reading about your year with May. Isnt it good when horse and person find each other and click - it seems like you just logically worked your way through all the problems, though it probably didnt feel like that when you were doing it!
She looks like a horse with lots of character to me.