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Lucie
19th Aug 2007, 09:06 PM
I own an un-rideable, 7 year old, ex-racehorse, gelding.

He has a small splint on one of his legs which he got during his short racing career (doesn’t affect him in any way). Other than this, he’s a VERY pretty chap (yes, I’m biased, but he never goes unnoticed :p).

His conformation is decent, but not amazing (wouldn’t win a class on conformation, but wouldn’t be at the bottom of the group either ;)).

He’s sound enough on the ground, but under saddle he suffers with intermittent lameness (can cope with ridden work for short bursts, but then suffers for it later).
He’s undergone extensive veterinary investigation (it’s a very long story and I really don’t want to go into the ins-and-outs of everything :rolleyes:) but we’ve been advised he shouldn’t be ridden anymore.

So for months now I have been left with a stunning example of a tb, who doesn’t fit the purpose he was bought for. He was, at one point, going well at sj and xc and I had high hopes of affiliating him (before his lame spells became more and more frequent and the investigations began :cool:).

I’m lucky to own another horse and I still spend a good hour with him everyday doing a few ground exercises and taking him for walks. But I feel he’s so wasted (I know he doesn’t care, but I do :o).

Are their any in hand showing classes he could do (given that he is sound (even to a vets eye) so long as he isn’t being ridden) and there’s nothing (aside from the irrelevant splint) to see?

Yann
20th Aug 2007, 10:30 AM
Not on topic, but I just wonder if he's still shod? Sometimes with these mystery lamenesses shoeing itself can be the cause of issues if the feet aren't in very good shape due to incorrect pressures in the back of the foot. A lot of written off horses have come good going down the barefoot route, might be something to consider if you haven't already. It is possible to keep them comfortable in the early stages too however bad their feet are to begin with, and they soon improve.

Lucie
20th Aug 2007, 11:56 AM
He was shod inititially, then has spent the past 14 months barefoot with no improvement.

Yann
20th Aug 2007, 01:31 PM
At least it's been tried then, sorry to hear that :( I've heard of horses in shoes in similar situations being PTS rather than at try that option.

Lucie
20th Aug 2007, 04:12 PM
Noooo way :eek:!

If need be, he'll spend his life as a very pretty field ornament ;).
I'm hopeful that at worst, he may improve to the point where gentle riding is possible. But I have been advised to not hold my breath.

So I'm hoping he may be ok for something in hand (if it weren't for the splint I'm sure he'd do very well :rolleyes:).

Any suggestions?

Yann
20th Aug 2007, 04:23 PM
Good for you :) I'm afraid showing's not my thing really but there are always classes like best conditioned, best turned out or handsome horse you could have a go at at most local shows and wouldn't necessarily look out of place in?