Well things did not bode well for dressage today right from the start. I have a massive head cold and feel like complete crap and seriously toyed with scratching early this morning. But we had a fantastic ride yesterday, plus the show was only 20 minutes down the road - so I dosed up on cold & flu tablets and headed off.
When Molly came off the float I knew things just weren't right. She was very tense and didn't tuck into her hay net like she normally does (she's a bit of a labrador and very food motivated) but stood pawing at the ground.
"uh oh..." I thought....
So we tacked up and had attracted quite an audience of specators by the time I walked over to the mounting block. And boy was she tense! We walked and walked and walked and she just got more and more tense. I did the first test and simply laughed at her the whole way through. Her trot work was hideous - tense, choppy, above the bit and resistant the whole way. There's nothing like a row of spectators when your horse is pitching a fit and going god damn awful. Although her canter work was certainly active.
I went to the office and scratched from our second test - I said I didn't want to demonstrate how secure sidesaddle was when your horse has a full on tantrum! And I was glad that I did, by the time I got her back to the float she was shaking, her adrenaline was so high.
When I unloaded her at home, after another short 20 minute trip, she was dripping sweat, and I had to wash her down again. Then putting her away she reared at the gate, pulled the lead rope through my hand and crashed past the fence to take off. That is NOT normal behaviour for Molly.
I am wondering if something happened in the float on the way down, as at one point I thought I heard her calling out, which is really unusual. We also had a bee fly into her face when we were warming up and I thought she was going to start rearing trying to get rid of it, but I'm pretty sure it didn't sting her.
Definately not a good day, but her behaviour is so out of character (even when she is a complete chestnut mare and nutty to ride, she is always a gem to handle) so I'm going to keep an eye on her for the next day or two.
In the meantime we'll keep working on relaxation at home - our next outing is a month away.
Robin - I would be interested in your opinion. My neighbour suggested Molly might have had a very mild bout of colic or something similar? Especially as she was pawing and then shaking/sweating.
ReplyDeleteShe ate her dinner fine and when I checked on her this evening, just before dark, she was grazing ok, but did still seem quite grumpy in herself. I'll just have to wait and see how she is in the morning.
Colic was the first thing that came to my mind as I read your post, given everything you've told us about her. Yes, she may have tension issues, but this sounds extreme even for her. You might want to keep some Banamine on hand, and if she's still not right in the AM have a vet take a look at her.
ReplyDeleteYou made the right decision about scratching your second test. It sounds like both of you were under the weather and unable to give it your best effort. No shame in that.
I know how frustrating it can be, when you wonder "when is it going to be my turn to prove myself in the show ring?" Despite our training achievements, Owen and I have yet to successfully compete...if you assessed us by our point accumulation alone you would conclude that we were a disappointing pair.
Boy that does sound really out of character and odd. Sounds like she was stressed beyond belief. Hope she settles and is better next time!
ReplyDeleteWell I headed out at first light this morning, and she seems much more herself - calling out and came trotting over to the fence for her hay.
ReplyDeleteThey did break through a tape fence friday night and chewed on some eucaplytus trees I have planted as a hedge, and now I think about it Molly was also chomping on a plastic tree sleeve when I caught them saturday morning! I wonder if she has either reacted to the trees, or maybe swallowed a tiny piece of plastic, and its now passed through?
Whatever it was, I was hugely relieved to see her looking ok this morning :)
So glad to hear it! It does sound like she wasn't feeling well.
ReplyDeleteNext time will go better! My mare is 18 and it's taken us quite some time to get this showing business down pat but we've finally managed it! It will come!
Oh - I hope she is okay!
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