Harvey has enjoyed having his rug off in all the sunshine we've been having lately. But it has shown that he has not come through this winter as well as he did last year. (In winter we tend to take his rug off and give him a brush as quickly as possible, in the artificial light in the barn) The loss of muscle tone is to be expected with him not having worked for 2 years, but bones are becoming prominent and his coat is dull, scurfy and scabby. The muddy conditions have played havoc with his hooves. He's 22 this year, but it's the first time I've thought of him as an "older" horse.
I've given him a long, gentle, therapeutic groom today, which he loved. I just hope he picks up a bit through the summer, and perhaps I can lunge him a bit to get a bit of muscle back. We wouldn't get a saddle to fit him the way he is now!
I've given him a long, gentle, therapeutic groom today, which he loved. I just hope he picks up a bit through the summer, and perhaps I can lunge him a bit to get a bit of muscle back. We wouldn't get a saddle to fit him the way he is now!