On pain of death – or my beautiful HyperBike being angle-ground into inch long pieces – I was forbidden to risk my or Rebel’s life or limbs for the foreseeable future.
Rebel’s behaviour, even in the exercise cart, deteriorated. On grooming, harnessing and leaving the yard he was an angry bargy pony – completely out of character. Then he started refusing to stand still while I mounted; and then rushing off, – cantering, even – for the first 1/2 mile. Then he would settle and be great again.
And then one day he bolted from the yard before I could mount. I will never know how he managed to avoid the cars and people in the car park. Joe, hearing my screams, ran after him, caught him, and in the interests of safety, Rebel was comforted, then turned away whilst I again scrabbled in my equine ignorance.
Thank the gods for Google! Might it be gastric ulcers?! A slightly nervous, not confident with recently changed behaviour, Shetland pony? ad lib forage; congenial company? Unlikely. But nevertheless, nothing else fits. Gastroscopy diagnosed Grade 1&2 glandular ulcers. Not many, not the worst ever case. But ulcers it was. 3 scopes and 2 lots of treatment later, the old Rebel returned. By this stage my lung function had deteriorated to 20% of that expected of my healthy equivalent, my confidence had taken a battering, and I felt needed professional schooling for Rebel to get us safely back on the road.
Enter a new member of staff at my local saddlery supplier “who drives!” Oh my god!!! At last! Someone who actually drives! And who knows a real live driving instructor!
Rule 18: Ask, and ye shall receive!
© Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio, 2021
Treating your horse with care, connection, curiosity, and compassion
