Trust

[Laetitia]

Just thought I'd tell you all about this morning. My mare has been diagnosed with having Navicular Syndrome. Devastating. She is now on a course of injections twice weekly for a month. To enable the vet to administer said jab, I said I'd take her up to their clinic. Probs!! How to get her out of her field without going through the main field in which her new companions have been put whilst they all get to know one another. I am not brave enough to to march her across it with them racketing about. The only way out is through the garden and down the the side of the carport, which is the whole length of the house. Very narrow passageway, just wide enough for her tummy with lots of monsters in the form of ride on mowers, lumber and defunct motor bikes. Having spent a sleepless night worrying, I put her halter on this morning ( really early appointment!) it was barely light and we set off. I said, loudly, Trust me, and preceded her down the passage. Bless her, she just tootled along behind me, and we emerged unscathed and unhurt the other end. Big kiss and cuddles. I then worried all the way to the vet and back whether she would do it in reverse. She did. So had some time eating the lawn. That's my girl. L

[Jennp]

I'm sorry to hear about the Navicular. Nice to hear about the great relationship you have with your horse, though. The lady who taught (and still teaches, bless her) me has always told me that if I act like what we are doing is no big deal, the horse often will too. She's almost always right. It's such a nice feeling when you're out trail riding in a tight spot with the horse asking "ummm, are you sure about this?" and you say it's okay and they just trust in you.

It's these little moments that it's all about for me.

[shirley]

To have a horses trust is one of the most precious things in life. They do not give it without commitment on their part and one given and established is very easily broken if we are not careful. It took me 18 monthes to earn my horses trust, after some nasty experiences he must have had, but once given we have never looked back. Out came his personality and character as well.
We have a horse on our livery yard that has navicular and this was diagnosed a while back, but he is now sound enough to be ridden, and the owner has jumped him, but only on soft ground. She has learnt to manage him and his navicular and she did not know anything about it prior to the diagnosis being made, but now is extremely knowledgable about it. So good luck with everything.

[Laetitia]

Thank you for your encouraging words Shirley, must say I'm finding it very hard to be positive. The challenge will be her work as it mainly on hard surfaces, but if we have to change so be it. L

[galadriel]

Ooh, how very sweet that she was so unconcerned with you. That's another worry you didn't really need to have on top of the navicular diagnosis. What a good girl.

Good luck with the navicular :( Have they recommended a farrier or specific farrier work?

[Laetitia]

Thank you so much. My next worry is that we need to go up to the vet again on Monday and I will not let myself even think that she won't follow me again and then refuse to load. She's not daft and will have worked out where she's going. She does hate these injections. I'm in complete agreement with her being neurotic about needles myself.

The farrier has put front shoes on with rolled toes and slightly longer heels to increase the breakover speed. Again a challenge for him as she over reaches. L

[FRED]

Good luck with Clover and the next visit to the vet L.
Trust, a reward for time,patience and love :)