I have my report from Anne and will take some more time to digest it, but thought I would post some pieces here for those who might be interested. I have not been posting much for the last week or so, just so there wouldn't be recent info on here about our issues.
Rusty was welcoming and was happy to work with me but he was quite reserved. He felt like he was quite insular and whilst this was I believe caused by past experiences he is also the sort of horse that doesn’t do demonstrative and will always be on the quieter side with his emotions. He was very gentle with me though and if you watch him closely enough I believe you will learn to spot the affection more easily.
(Rusty is quite reserved, although I think he is getting better at being affectionate - this rang true)
Along the neck I could feel issues in the muscle which related to what I found later in the spine. Both the fore shoulders were also showing signs of energy disturbance indicating that he uses his shoulders to pull himself along with rather than his hindquarters to push.
(this makes sense, he is a cribber and I'm working with a massage therapist regularly to help him with his neck and back and also working on my riding to get him working from behind. Had a fabulous lesson on Sat. that I didn't post about, where my RI said we'd really got him swinging through his back at the trot. Also adjusted his saddle a few days before as she felt it was pinching his shoulders a bit)
It was so blocked up that if it’s not you that rides with draw reins/ rollkur or similar then he must have had a long time of this being done because this was the most severe compression of the energy I’ve ever worked with. He’s become so used to a constant level of low grade discomfort and constant tightness that he wouldn’t object anymore because this would be normal for him.
(this part has me teary-eyed. Obviously I don't ride with draw reins/rollkur. I will share this with his massage therapist, but she knows he has issues but feels he's improving).
to be cont'd...
Rusty was welcoming and was happy to work with me but he was quite reserved. He felt like he was quite insular and whilst this was I believe caused by past experiences he is also the sort of horse that doesn’t do demonstrative and will always be on the quieter side with his emotions. He was very gentle with me though and if you watch him closely enough I believe you will learn to spot the affection more easily.
(Rusty is quite reserved, although I think he is getting better at being affectionate - this rang true)
Along the neck I could feel issues in the muscle which related to what I found later in the spine. Both the fore shoulders were also showing signs of energy disturbance indicating that he uses his shoulders to pull himself along with rather than his hindquarters to push.
(this makes sense, he is a cribber and I'm working with a massage therapist regularly to help him with his neck and back and also working on my riding to get him working from behind. Had a fabulous lesson on Sat. that I didn't post about, where my RI said we'd really got him swinging through his back at the trot. Also adjusted his saddle a few days before as she felt it was pinching his shoulders a bit)
It was so blocked up that if it’s not you that rides with draw reins/ rollkur or similar then he must have had a long time of this being done because this was the most severe compression of the energy I’ve ever worked with. He’s become so used to a constant level of low grade discomfort and constant tightness that he wouldn’t object anymore because this would be normal for him.
(this part has me teary-eyed. Obviously I don't ride with draw reins/rollkur. I will share this with his massage therapist, but she knows he has issues but feels he's improving).
to be cont'd...