No pain, No gain!

I am many things, a nurse, a daughter, a friend...one thing I am not is an athlete. Well I don't consider myself to be, anyway. Toy on the other hand, in my eyes, is an equine athlete and has regular physio, saddle fittings, does lots of lunging in the Equi-Ami. Its no wonder he is looking and feeling good.

Time to re-address the balance!

Last Sunday I went to a BD Improving Rider Performance workshop at Hartpury College, building on the relatively new concept that riders of all disciplines are in fact athletes. We underwent numerous physio assessments testing our strength, mobility and cardiovascular fitness. The whole day was jam packed but kept light hearted and it was lovely to be surrounded by like minded people, who were all there to better themselves and therefore help their horses.

We each rode the mechanical horse, Hercules. It was quite strange but very life like in all the different paces. The pressure pad under the saddle gave a reading, showing if we were sitting evenly. My numbers were what I expected, showing that I put more weight on the right side, either through my seat or the stirrup but it shows I have not been helping Toy's cause, an issue I can now concentrate on and hopefully correct.

My competitive streak certainly helped and I pushed myself in several of the cardiovascular activities. The instructor timing the wall squat said there was a record of 3 minutes set by another member of the group....cue burning quads!

The most interesting and also most demoralising session for me, was the assessment with the Chiropractor. My posture has never been good, I blame being tall but that really is no excuse anymore. Standing facing away and to the side the Chiropractor talked through all of the 'problem areas' and suggested things we should improve.

I stand with me knees hyperextended which then pushes my pelvis out of line. I also round my shoulders/need to lift my sternum and this then pushes my neck and head forward. My lateral flexibility was described as "appalling" but my Mum's thoracic mobility was described as "curious" so I'm not sure which is worse!

I had to remind myself on the way home that these faults all require tiny adjustments and are not as awful as the description may have sounded at the time. The whole day was about raising your awareness of your weaknesses and then hopefully being able to make a positive change.

So where do I start?!

So far I have dreamt about standing with my knees soft and have made myself sit up straight in the car.

The plan (and I've kept this realistic) is to run 3 times a week. We have a good route from our house, I can run when I get home from the yard smelling of horse/don't need to go into the public domain and its free...so there should be no excuses! I then plan to do the exercises given to us on the day at Hartpury when I get back home. The gym ball is out of the loft!

I am also on the look out for a McTimoney Chiropractor. Ideally someone who treats horses as well so they understand the muscle groups that are used when riding and what I need to improve.

Lots of hard work ahead but hopefully it will all be worth it!

Arc Equine - my review

My blog has been some what neglected over the last few months, the long dark nights really should lend themselves to writing but ironically I am the busiest I have been all year.

2015 has been a long year. The days and weeks etched in my memory by MRI scans and vets visits. It seems a long time ago now but back in the summer months the box rest routine had become the norm, Toy had been 1/10 lame for what felt like forever and we were getting no where. After a lot of researching and thinking, I phoned my vet and said I thought we should try some treatment. Neither Toy or I were happy and we needed to do something.

The injury to Toy's deep digital flexor tendon was way down in his foot, near the navicular bursar. Impossible to see without an MRI and therefore almost impossible to treat with ultrasound. I said to my vet that I wanted to try the Arc Equine. She was honest and said she had little experience of it but anecdotally had heard many success stories. Ever the professional and not wanting to get my hopes up I think, she was cautious about its use.

I took her advice on board and was also dubious but how could all the testimonials on social media and their website be wrong? I bit the bullet, bought an Arc Equine and emailed Ian Thirkell. The customer service was incredible, I ordered online on a Sunday evening and the Arc was charging in my lounge by the Monday afternoon. The email communication was also second to none, concise and very clear, I had a plan and was willing to try anything.

Whilst on box rest, Toy wore the Arc Equine unit during the day, I put it on in the mornings, covered it with a brushing boot and left him too it. He never flinched, it clearly did not hurt him and I don't even think he knew he is wearing it. Since he has been out in the field, I have turned him out in the unit as well, again covered by a brushing boot. He has rolled in it, cantered about and it has never moved. Thanks to being completely covered in neoprene it has also survived a fairly horrendous afternoon in the rain and one dunking in a water bucket, that should probably remain unmentioned.

The unit was simple to use, it came with a small instruction booklet that was easy to read and understand. The unit itself only has 2 buttons and a row of LED lights so really is very simple. Due to work and not being at the yard, Toy did not always wear the Arc Equine on consecutive days but I counted the number of days on each programme and may have added an extra one for luck!

Toy has been sound now for nearly 10 weeks. I am over the moon and the difference in his temperament and personality is huge, he is back to the friendly people-horse he was before. I cannot scientifically wholly attribute Toy's improvement to the Arc Equine but I do feel like it has sped up the healing process. It is now a staple item in my tack room and I will continue to use it, for maintenance or any further injury in the future.

Toy will return to the RVC soon for a repeat MRI scan and we are continuing our rehab programme.

For further information, visit www.arcequine.com

I am in no way associated to Ian Thirkell or Arc Equine, the views expressed in this blog are my own.

My box rest top tips!

If, like me, you are lucky enough to have always had fit and healthy horses then the idea of box rest will be a daunting task. Nursing a horse through injury and rehab is tough so I have compiled a few hints, tips and pearls of wisdom that I have learnt over the last few weeks.
 

Routine

I am a ridiculously organised person, my diary is open on the table every evening so that I can plan the next day, I sit down with my other half on a Sunday and talk through the coming week, discussing what we are doing and when. I, personally, think this has been the biggest help with Toy and the main reason he has been so adaptable and settled.

Mornings start at about 8am and evenings between 5-6pm. In the morning he gets his feed in his stable and is left to eat it undisturbed - something I have always done as I think horses should be left to eat in peace. When he has finished he gets tied up outside his stable with a handful of hay or a grass block. These handy treats keep him occupied for just long enough and are low in calories so perfect for a box resting horse.

Then I muck out, sort his hay and water, groom and pick his feet out, walk him out in-hand and then he goes back in his stable. Once he is in his stable I leave him alone, that's his safe place, somewhere I wont poke and prod him and where he spends time on his own.

In the evening he has the same routine but is fed last thing and then he knows he is all done and its bedtime. I'm not suggesting this is the best way to do things but it suits me and I do think that some sort of routine does make life easier for your horse.

 

Trusting your team

I am very self-sufficient and fearlessly independent. I hate relying on any one to help me but I have realised that I cannot do everything for Toy on my own.

My biggest piece of advice would be to find a team you trust. Find a friend that can help with the day to day care when you are at work or just to give you a break. Find a vet, farrier, physio, dentist and saddler that understand your worries and that can help you.

I trusted my gut instinct and changed farrier after Toys injury was diagnosed. I justified my decision to our yard owner, to my old farrier and to my friends but lets be honest - its none of their business. It was without a doubt the best decision I have made. I don't think my old farrier made any mistakes but I just didn't feel like he was as committed to the cause as I am. My new farrier is a perfectionist and I really feel like he is determined to help me with the challenge of getting Toy sound again.

 

Politely decline peoples advice

When your horse is injured, everyone will try to give you advice. Even if their horse has never had that particular injury or they have never experienced anything like what you are going through.

Learn to politely decline, listen and decide if their advice suits you. Choose the treatment you believe in and feel most confident about. I have chosen to follow the vets advice to the letter. I am box resting when others would have turned out in the field, I am giving the tendon time to heal when others would have gone for treatments. What ever you chose to do, believe in it and give it 100% but don't let others sway your gut instinct.

 

Use your free time

I have attended more demos, watched more people ride, volunteered at events, been dressage writing and learnt more than ever before. I feel like my horsemanship skills have drastically improved, watching Richard Maxwell load a horse on our yard a few weeks ago was just mesmerising and such a privilege. It is so easy to forget about horsemanship when you are focused on riding all the time. I have certainly learnt more from the ground than I ever thought possible.

I have taken an opportunity at work to go on a course, something that I just would not have done if Toy was competing. I would not have time to do both well but because he is off games I have grabbed the chance.

Prepare for every eventuality

A lot of people have said to me that Toy will be back eventing and that the prognosis is good. I am being pragmatic, the prognosis is not good and I have to be prepared to make some of the toughest decisions.

Think about all the options, however hard they might be. I have not discussed my decisions with others as I want to be clear in my own mind what I will do. These are questions I may never get asked but at least if the time comes then I am prepared.

Enjoy your horse
Last but not least, I have learnt that I am incredibly privileged to have my own horse. Yes, I work hard to pay for him and work hard to be the best rider I can be but hundreds of people want to be able to ride and for one reason or another they can't.

I am bitter about not being able to ride, there is no denying it but I am trying to be positive everyday.

Boredom busting

With Toy on box rest I have been granted a gift I am not used to, the gift of time. I have been left wondering what on earth non-horsey people do with their days off and boredom has reared its ugly head.

 

I have been out for lunch, cleaned the house, cleaned the car, walked the dog, read a book, been for a run, drunk buckets of tea and still I feel like there is a huge hole in my life. I have been back on a horse, after 4 weeks without my bum hitting a saddle, I have hacked a lovely mare from our yard. Not only has it been good for my muscles but its also proved invaluable for my soul.

 

 

I spent last Saturday at Quainton Stud, dressage writing for the combined training. The tests ranged from Intro - Novice and it was very interesting to listen to the judges opinions. I have a new found respect for judges at the lower levels, the difference in the ponies and horses and the huge variation in riding made the whole thing a complete muddle in my mind. I have some more dates throughout the year dressage writing at Bury Farm, including the PetPlan Area festival and the High Profile Show so there is that to look forward too.

 

My Mum and I went to Summerhouse Equestrian Centre on Tuesday and had a lesson each on dressage schoolmasters. My horse, Larry was trained to Advanced and was described as a flying change machine. He was slightly smaller than the horses I have ridden recently but it felt brilliant to ride canter and trot half pass and flying changes on an established horse. I couldn't stop grinning after each change, he made them feel so easy! I would recommend one of these lessons to anyone, if you are feeling a bit uninspired or want to practice movements your own horse is still learning. I was a bit hot and bothered afterwards but it was well worth it. There are a few videos on my Facebook page - Fran Woolman Eventing & Dressage.

 

Toy seems to be settled into his new routine, the yard is busy enough to keep him amused in the day and blissfully quiet overnight so he seems very happy. Unfortunately he is the messiest horse I have ever met in the stable, it normally resembles a pig sty in the mornings and I am fighting a battle to try and keep him clean!

 

 

 

The lameness story...

So the eventing season is officially over for Team Toy.....as is the dressage season and any riding for the considerable future. A bold statement I know and one that I could not have written last week through the tears. However, I am being brave and we have a plan, I just hope it works.

 

For those that don't know the story, Toy was first obviously lame on Sunday 12th April. He had been re-shod on the Friday and we had competed at Aston Le Walls on the Saturday. We went out for a little hack with his best friend Twist and about half way round he started to head nod.

 

He had a few days off and then over the following 2 weeks was intermittently lame. In this time our farrier took the shoe off, found what we thought was a bruise and I poulticed the foot. No puss, no heat, no swelling - nothing.

 

After a few days lunging and still looking sound I hacked again on Friday 1st May, on return to the yard he was the lamest he has ever been and I called the vet. I chose to give him 2 weeks completely off work, turned out in the field (the vet was in agreement that this was ok) and he had 10 days of bute in his feeds.

 

After this rest he had dramatically improved, almost sound in walk and trot in a straight line and only really obviously lame on the lunge on hard ground on the right rein. So off to the vets we went for nerve blocks and x-rays. Toy spent 2 days there and after very thorough investigations the vet had narrowed it down to somewhere below the pastern on the inside of the right foreleg.

What follows next has completely amazed me as the suggestion was for an MRI scan. A notoriously expensive investigation they have to be agreed by your insurance company prior to being done. We had the joy of a long bank holiday and my heart sank thinking we would wait forever for the scan. My lovely vet faxed the insurance claim forms on the Thursday evening and whilst I was standing in the field on the Friday morning, I had a phone call from my insurance company, not only did they agree I could go ahead and have the MRI but they had sent my own vets a cheque! The service has (so far and I'm not holding my breath!) been incredible.

Fast forward a week, Ann and I are sat in the Royal Veterinary College car park whilst Toy is inside having his scans, just amazing. After 6 hours waiting, Toy appeared looking a little sleepy, with a shaved neck and smelling very sterile! The vet at the RVC explained that he has an extensive lesion in the deep digital flexor tendon in his right fore foot and also some remodelling changes of the bones in both front feet, suggestive of navicular.

I have a remedial farrier booked for this coming Wednesday and will take some before and after photos of his feet for comparison. He is on 8 weeks box rest with in-hand grazing only for the first 4 weeks, then progressing to in-hand walking. Fingers crossed.

I kept a stiff upper lip at the vets and all the way home but don't mind admitting I have shed a fair few tears over the weekend. I will continue to write these blogs, in the hope that anyone else with a lame horse can read them and know that they are not alone, it is ok to be upset and not everyone will understand.

If all the love and support from the yard could heal, then Toy would be well on the mend already. We are a strong team and I love a challenge so with gritted teeth I am going to try and keep him sane for 8 weeks in his stable.....I left him this morning listening to Classic FM.

 

Releasing my inner dressage geek!

I nearly titled this blog "Becoming a dressage geek" but re-phrased it fairly quickly as I'm sure I have been a supressed dressage geek for a while now!

 

Whilst Toy is off games I have had my head stuck in various horse books and also been looking for sofa based ways to improve.

 

I came across a Facebook page called Master Dressage which had some really good hints and tips. One of them was to dissect your dressage test sheets in an Excel document, comparing scores and comments for each of the most common test movements. Below is a photo of my 'in progress' Excel document, I started with Elementary because I have only done 2 tests. I am currently working my way through the 6 Novice tests and then I will eventually get to the 20 Preliminary!

On a serious note I wish someone had suggested this when I first started riding dressage tests, it would make useful historical records, help to track progress and ultimately helps to highlight specific areas to work on in training.

 

Whilst working in Excel I took it one step further and created a page for recording my dressage scores so that I can easily see how far I am from qualifying for an Area Festival or Regional Championship. Easy to keep up to date after each competition and breaks down the total number of points and those gained from qualifiers.

 

I'm sure I never spent this long on homework at school! :)

A lame horse and some self reflection!

Horses are great levellers and it turns out that Toy's lameness may not be as straight forward as first thought.

 

He was lame on and off for a few weeks and in the end I called the vet as I did not know what to do next. She had a good look and a poke and we are still none the wiser. She suggested nerve blocks and x-rays but I went with my gut instinct and decided just to give him a few weeks off. He is just finishing his 10 day course of bute and will stay off work until Friday when we will trot him up and see what happens next. He is looking amazing, has a very shiny coat and is still as cheeky as ever. Getting him to eat the feed with bute in has proven a bit of a challenge but I have won him over with apples and carrots and a splash of apple juice instead of water!

All of this started just as I was re-considering my plans for the year, thinking that I might have a break from eventing and concentrate on dressage, aiming for an Area Festival qualification instead. Now to be honest I will be happy just to get back on board. I am not very good at being ill and it turns out I am not very good at having a horse off work either! I get so frustrated that it is out of my control and not knowing the cause really is a horrible feeling. I know I am not the first person to have a lame horse and I certainly won't be the last but it does test your resilience!

 

The first few events of the year have felt like very hard work, a fair few tears were shed after our elimination in the BE100 at Swalcliffe and I have had to remind myself that I ride for fun. I am not afraid of hard work and live for a challenge but have questioned why I want to step up...because I think I should, because other people expect me too or because I really want to do it? I still feel like I have a huge amount to prove to myself but then again I don't think I will ever be completely happy with what I have achieved at what ever level.

 

I have spent a few days wondering what on earth you do when you have no horse to ride but have since filled my time with a lovely trip to Devon to see friends and family, the yard has had a good tidy and my tack is sparkly clean. I have also been helping a few friends at the yard, pulling manes and videoing dressage tests. I love helping people with their horses, especially when they are trying so hard to get it right. It has helped put into context my feelings about eventing, every rider wants to achieve something, even if it just being a happy hacker, we all love our horses to bits. Those of us with higher hopes and a competitive streak all have our own battles and I know deep down that every achievement, however small should be celebrated. I am just not very good at taking my own advice!

 

Fingers crossed that Toy will be sound on Friday and we can start our rehab, I will walk him in hand for as long as it takes and be very cautious about getting back on board, however impatient I am feeling!