Came across this guy, Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling - http://www.youtube.com/user/KFHInt, while trying to explain Pelvis Tucks to my boyfriend.
Though this guy seems to work primarily with Iberian breeds I'm interested in reading more and working with Kadey using some of his principles.
There's an Australian website so I'm going to look him up.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Mystery solved: Hay waster in action!
Following on from an earlier post, I foind out why there is always hay on the ground in Kadey's shelter and in front of his feedbin...
Massage and stretches to build your horse's flexibility
Exercises the masseuse recommended:
- Run hands down sides of rump back the back to get him to tuck his butt under and arch his back.
- Take treats from between front legs to stretch topline and from shoulders to extend flexibility
- Massage along back with raking motion both sides.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Messy eater
I couldn't understand why Kadey always had dust & hay in his mane, forelock and all over his face; or why there was so much hay in front of his feedbin and in his shelter (where he is fed).
Tonight I discovered the answer. I'll post one pic now and the full story and movie when I get home...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tonight I discovered the answer. I'll post one pic now and the full story and movie when I get home...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, June 6, 2011
Achievement!
Feeling remarkably productive - my to do list was as follows:
1. Book a saddle fitting session with Graham Aitken, master saddler. I'll have to buy a new saddle so I'm hoping he does a 'pay as you ride' scheme.
Booked a session for next Friday, I said I preferred a leather saddle but I might call back and say throw in a few Thorowgood synthetics just in case a cheapie ($1000, cheapie, hah!) fits.
2. Try on the third saddle I have, the A/P that came with Kadey. The dressage that came with him is busted and my Precieux doesn't fit so I'm hoping the A/P fits well enough to use until I get a new saddle.
I tried, it doesn't fit. It's also a jumping saddle not an A/P, so that nixes that idea. My next hope is that either they let me take a new saddle on a 'pay as you ride' system or that we identify a means of using the existing three saddles until I can afford a new one. The fact I'm on a short term (2 month) contract and will potentially be unemployed shortly is not going to help my case.
3. Book bodywork sessions pronto.
I booked both a massage session and a Bowen treatment. Lucky pony! Hopefully this will undo some of the racing damage and alleviate the discomfort he appears to be feeling. For example when I go to brush his flank I get an angry glare that goes up to ear flattened dislike when I go near his loin. He's not a happy chappy!
Just realized now might be the time to apply for more jobs so I can be sure to keep my pony in the life to which he has become accustomed!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
1. Book a saddle fitting session with Graham Aitken, master saddler. I'll have to buy a new saddle so I'm hoping he does a 'pay as you ride' scheme.
Booked a session for next Friday, I said I preferred a leather saddle but I might call back and say throw in a few Thorowgood synthetics just in case a cheapie ($1000, cheapie, hah!) fits.
2. Try on the third saddle I have, the A/P that came with Kadey. The dressage that came with him is busted and my Precieux doesn't fit so I'm hoping the A/P fits well enough to use until I get a new saddle.
I tried, it doesn't fit. It's also a jumping saddle not an A/P, so that nixes that idea. My next hope is that either they let me take a new saddle on a 'pay as you ride' system or that we identify a means of using the existing three saddles until I can afford a new one. The fact I'm on a short term (2 month) contract and will potentially be unemployed shortly is not going to help my case.
3. Book bodywork sessions pronto.
I booked both a massage session and a Bowen treatment. Lucky pony! Hopefully this will undo some of the racing damage and alleviate the discomfort he appears to be feeling. For example when I go to brush his flank I get an angry glare that goes up to ear flattened dislike when I go near his loin. He's not a happy chappy!
Just realized now might be the time to apply for more jobs so I can be sure to keep my pony in the life to which he has become accustomed!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Trading places
I would like to be my horse about now. I just booked him a 1.5 hour full body massage to resolve tightness and pain from his racing days.
Do I get a 1.5 hour full body massage? Noooo.
Hmph. Hope he loves it, I'm jealous!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Do I get a 1.5 hour full body massage? Noooo.
Hmph. Hope he loves it, I'm jealous!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My kingdom for a horse...
My kingdom for an equine bodywork/equissage practitioner in Brisbane. Argh!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saddle Fit clinic: Best money I've spent on my horse so far
Today I attended a full day saddle fitting clinic with Jane Clothier, a bodywork specialist who started studying saddle fitting after seeing so many horses suffering from ill-fitting gear.
It was a really enjoyable day - partly due to the fact it was 8 horse mad ladies in one space swapping stories andbeing distracted by commenting on passing equines; but mostly because saddle fitting is so insanely important and I so desperately want to learn as much as I can about everything to ensure Kadey is comfortable and happy.
I knew my saddle, a Bates Precieux, didn't fit him; but I had no idea just how much! It's too narrow at the back, the panels are too thin and it sits down on his shoulder due to muscle atrophy over his back (6 months spell + 7 years racing...). Add to that he's very tight and sore (oh hai again, seven years on the race track...) and needs a lot of work.
Strangely, I'm happy about all of this. I know what's up with my horse and can now work on a list of treatments to resolve the problems.
So, from here:
1. Book a saddle fitting session with Graham Aitken, master saddler. I'll have to buy a new saddle so I'm hoping he does a 'pay as you ride' scheme.
2. Try on the third saddle I have, the A/P that came with Kadey. The dressage that came with him is busted and my Precieux doesn't fit so I'm hoping the A/P fits well enough to use until I get a new saddle.
3. Book bodywork sessions pronto.
In the meantime, if the A/P saddle doesn't fit I might ride bareback or try to find some other alternative.
The saddle fitter said something interesting today - just because the horse is initially happy (or at least not markedly unhappy) in a new saddle doesn't mean that saddle fits, they may just be relieved that the old saddle is gone. Which is consistent with Kadey - his old saddle meant that he'd rear and grunt as soon as he was led out of the saddle up area and initially my old saddle didn't. But now that he's had a few rides in my old saddle he's less than thrilled about it and is letting me know. So I'm looking forward to getting a new saddle ASAP!
The farrier also visited today - he got me to buy a small hoof knife to take on minor trimming of Kadey's heels. It's a bit nerve wracking as I don't want to hurt Kadey, but at the same time I'm keen to learn more about horse management and to gradually take on tasks like this. Kadey's hooves were really good (unlike the last visit) and fingers crossed he's not too sore tomorrow when I go out to see him.
It was a really enjoyable day - partly due to the fact it was 8 horse mad ladies in one space swapping stories and
I knew my saddle, a Bates Precieux, didn't fit him; but I had no idea just how much! It's too narrow at the back, the panels are too thin and it sits down on his shoulder due to muscle atrophy over his back (6 months spell + 7 years racing...). Add to that he's very tight and sore (oh hai again, seven years on the race track...) and needs a lot of work.
Strangely, I'm happy about all of this. I know what's up with my horse and can now work on a list of treatments to resolve the problems.
So, from here:
1. Book a saddle fitting session with Graham Aitken, master saddler. I'll have to buy a new saddle so I'm hoping he does a 'pay as you ride' scheme.
2. Try on the third saddle I have, the A/P that came with Kadey. The dressage that came with him is busted and my Precieux doesn't fit so I'm hoping the A/P fits well enough to use until I get a new saddle.
3. Book bodywork sessions pronto.
In the meantime, if the A/P saddle doesn't fit I might ride bareback or try to find some other alternative.
The saddle fitter said something interesting today - just because the horse is initially happy (or at least not markedly unhappy) in a new saddle doesn't mean that saddle fits, they may just be relieved that the old saddle is gone. Which is consistent with Kadey - his old saddle meant that he'd rear and grunt as soon as he was led out of the saddle up area and initially my old saddle didn't. But now that he's had a few rides in my old saddle he's less than thrilled about it and is letting me know. So I'm looking forward to getting a new saddle ASAP!
The farrier also visited today - he got me to buy a small hoof knife to take on minor trimming of Kadey's heels. It's a bit nerve wracking as I don't want to hurt Kadey, but at the same time I'm keen to learn more about horse management and to gradually take on tasks like this. Kadey's hooves were really good (unlike the last visit) and fingers crossed he's not too sore tomorrow when I go out to see him.
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