Poor lunky 'oss

[glenatron]

Last monday we had the chiropractor out to check on the ponies, Zorro didn't need much doing but Small had a few things that seemed to need a bit of work. We haven't really had a chance to ride since then - we nearly did yesterday but we had to dash off for a lesson in the afternoon so we didn't really have time. Consequently today was my first chance to hop on and do a bit of schooling with the big guy.

We got about ten steps from the mounting block before Zorro reared and literally squealed as he did it. I've sat on some of his furious moments before and he was always totally silent so I was immediately a bit concerned. I got off, we went back to the mounting block and I carefully got on again. This time we hardly left the block before we got the same thing. At this point sleepsy_mouse came over and so I described it to her and showed what he was doing- she took my camera and got a bit of video, from which it's clear that he's unhappy from the moment I get on.

On the ground he is fine- moving freely and with no apparent discomfort- it just seems to be a problem with him carrying weight. I'm absolutely without a doubt that this is a pain issue not a behavioural one- he actually quite enjoys ridden work most of the time and when he does have a tantrum it feels a lot different from that.

It could be co-incidence - we've been using this chiropractor for years and she has always done a brilliant job - but the timing does seem a bit dodgy so I'm going to give her a call first thing tomorrow and see what she advises.

EDIT: Now I've spoken to her, she says it sometimes happens that way- sometimes the reason they have a twist or something out of alignment is to cover some underlying pain and although normally straightening it out makes them more comfortable it's possible that in this case it has just revealed the problem again. I'm to walk him out in hand for about 30mins for the next three days and try getting back on him after that. She thinks that will probably be enough. If not she'll come back directly.

Comments

[skiesfirepaved.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, that's worrying. :S I hope you get it sorted asap. I s'pose he's not the sort of pony to suddenly act up so he'll get out of work (*cough*Pepsi*cough*)?

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

He totally would act up to get out of work, but a) he's tried it before and it didn't work - he doesn't try a failed trick more than a couple of times - and b) that squealing was not at all a Zorro thing to do and it strongly indicated discomfort to me. Poor guy.

I'm just glad that he will tell me stuff like that and not just try and work anyway while in pain. I'd much rather know so I can help.

[evil-c.livejournal.com]

Poor Zorro. You know when theres a difference between naughty and in pain, my old instructor told Asher and I that Piceur was being naughty, I ignored her, turned out to be pain. Listen to your gut instinct, you know its right.

[penella22.livejournal.com]

ooo...I had forgotten he just had that chiro adjustment...how many days ago was it? I know Sage needs a day or two or three before I ride him again after chiro, but Zorro's had that long right? I'm hopeful it will be something fixable and that you will be back out riding soon.

[ownedbyhorses.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Zorro on feeling better. If he had an adjustment, maybe he played a bit more then he should have afterwards... anyway, hope he is feeling better soon.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

The adjustment was on Monday so he had had six days- the only day I had even asked him to do any groundwork was Saturday. Should be plenty.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Someone had been practicing their downhill sliding stops in their hillside field, so it's not impossible, but it seems like a lot of a coincidence.

[ownedbyhorses.livejournal.com]

It's does seem suspiciously related. I know one of the horses being worked by my chiro has suddenly discovered she can run, buck, rear and do sliding stops into the fence to tell my gelding to back off from her feed (meanwhile the gelding just stands there with a dopey look on his face). Sometimes they get too rambunctious!

Good wishes for a speedy recovery.

[penella22.livejournal.com]

that really does sound like plenty...hmm...hope he's better soon.