Update

Tom is progressing really well.

Back in December I had his back looked at by Brian from Taupo. My poor long suffering boy was out in his hips and poll area. According to Brian he had been sore for sometime. Tom was such a gentleman through the whole process of a strange man pulling and tugging at his back legs and then his front ones. At times he wasn't sure and gave a few hefty kicks but the end result was one of a very relieved pony whole looked like he was too scared to move in case the pain came back.

His feet are coming on nicely and after three months there is nearly half a hoof of new growth. Lynne is doing an amazing job with his feet and does different things to get them to encourage them to grow down as they should.

Laminitis

Tom has laminitis.

I rode Tom on Monday before Farrier was due and what a horrible session, bucking, not going forward. I thought he was being naughty and full of himself. He was in fact trying to tell me enough is enough, Mum my feet are fricking sore, get off me. I of course did not listen and rode for nearly an hour. When the Farrier arrived, he did his feet and proceeded to tell me about the bacteria and something about laminitis and that I should now be considering putting Tom to sleep. Devistated, guilt, were just a few of the emotions running through. I was instructed not to ride him and get his feet seen to again in four weeks.

On Tuesday, hubby visited Tiriana at the bank and mentioned my Tom. I had to go and see her on Wednesday to sign papers and started talking about Tom. Then she told me about her Ellie, whom she recently lost to Colic and how she was able to communicate with her, even though she was away in Auckland. Her story was amazing so I asked if she could do this with Tom. Friday evening we sa down with him and had the most amazing session of talking, relaxing, chillin out etc. Tom responded really well, giving us the 'Chew Sign' and yawning as well.

He communicated that his feet were really sore, but he is not really to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Farrier has already removed back shoes on Monday, but Tom also wanted the front ones off as well but did not want Farrier to look at his feet again. As it happend, Tiriana had a Barefoot Trimmer booked for Saturday morning, someone I knew of but had never met. Lucky for Tom, she had a space. She looked at his feet and from the front on view did not appear to be too bad, until she looked at his sole. This horse has Laminitis was her response. He needs boots and pads.

Hoo rah, we finally have a clear answer to the problem that has probably been there for a long time. Laminitis is treatable, if we have caught it in time. Tom as a pair of Old Mac Boots on his front feet which help ease the pressure as they have pads that support his soles. His feet have collapsed and you can actually see the grove just below his coronet which indicate that something recently has triggered this Laminitis event.

Lynne is quite confident that there is only a slim chance that we will not be able to save Tom. She said in relation to his feet rotting that as soon as we can get the blood flowing again then his feet with start to grow, as ts all abut have his feet trimmed correctly. This is where the boots help. It is also about having a correct trim that will help him the best. Going barefoot goes against everything I have been told about Toms feet, but with the boots on, once he gets better, then he can be ridden in them, although once his sole are not so close to the ground then who knows. It will be a long process, but if I can get his feet better then we can decide about our future.

At the moment he hates being ridden due to the pain. Riding will be his decision and I will continue to try and communicate with him once we are on our own.

When I left him tonight, he seemed bright and alert. Above are some photos taken today. How can I not do everything possible to save such a gorgeous horse!!

Ainsleigh has very kindly offered me her Princess Antrika to ride as she has George and Little Rusty. So I can still get out and about on a beautiful Gingernut.

Update Time

Not much happening, Toms feet arn't the best at th moment, but we did expect some deterioation over winter. Tom has White Line Disease in his front feet. It is curable and he should be right within a few months, although Farrier has said no jumping.



Tom has settled into his new grazing very well and I love him being on his own as I get to manage his paddock, pick up poo etc. So I am getting out of the grazing what I put in, so if I manage it properly, then he will always have nice clean paddocks that are regularly rested. At the moment the paddock is split into two, but I am planning to have four smaller paddocks. One does have the temporary arena in it but thats should be a problem as I leave that available for grazing to keep the grass down.



Speaking of arena's, I tried it out on Wednesday and had the most fantastic schooling session on Tom, probably th best yet. I was expecting a useless fizzy TB, but instead he really tried to do as I wanted. I really had my first ever slow trot on him, one where I had to keep pushing him to keep going. I even got a comment from another grazer that he looked like he was going very nicely.

Nothing much planned in the way of shows, I was going to take him to a dressage day, but float is on hire that day so might go along to the Western Hills Spring Show and do some flat classes

We're Jumping again!!

Well, after the last time out jumping a having a fall, I let Ainsleigh convince me to join the Te Marua Adult riding Club. Went along yesterday for their jumping practice day and had a blast. Gary was the instructor (who also spent most of last week encouraging me to go). He was a really good coach, especially as Tom was very "hot headed". I picked up lots of tips, like keeping him moving forward and letting him have his rein just as he takes off. Also taking a shorter route to the jump so he does not have as much time to muck around. Despite everything, Tom went really well and I felt very confident after I finished. I do think the Peewee bit made a big difference as I was able to keep him going at a nice pace and didn't feel like I was hanging onto his mouth for dear life. Can't wait to get out and do some more jumping.

Again I have to thank Ainsleigh for being my supporter, shes been just wonderful over the last six weeks, since I got Tom clipped. Lots of encouragement from her and I will catch up with Gary at work tomorrow to see where we should go from that lesson as he mentioned lessons at his place once he has some jumps set up.

A little success story at last

Well, I've moved next door and xcouldn't be happier. So relaxed, no do's and don'ts, no one on your face all the time. I just love it. Tom is on his own, so I manage his paddock as I want. I am poo picking up every time I'm down, so his paddock always looks clean.

On Wednesday I plucked up the courage to ride, Tom has been full of spring grass and really fizzy lately. I have been struggling with him over the last four years, especially finding a bit that suits. Well, tried the Peewee on him again but on a different setting. After a few minor adjustments i.e using his bridle noseband to help keep the bit in place, I finally have a horse with brakes. He was so easy to ride and responds so well to the slightest touch I was amazed and very relieved. In my last dressage test, one comment I got was about Tom thanking me for letting his mouth go. I've always been afraid to let him go as he just goes faster but on Wednesady we were doing canters on a loose rein, trotting around with no worries about him getting away on me. Just need to find out if I can compete in one now.

Moving Again!!

Well, I'm moving Tom tomorrow. Found out yesterday that madam likes to chase him on her quad. She feeds out hay to all the other horses except Tom and then chases him away. He doesn't understand. She has not communicated with me regarding hay feeding since new grazer arrived. I'm more than happy to pay for her to chuck him a slab when doing the other and she knows this as this is what she offered to do when Tom was in with her lot. So angry and so is friend who witnessed it all. If it happens again tonight then friend will be giving her a earful.

Makes everything she's about a bit of a joke really, holds clinics etc and is big on natural horsemanship. What a crock of shit, when you see someone chasing a horse like that on a Quad. What if he hurt himself! What would her partner say! He works for a very well known horse starter.

So best to leave before I have another verbal outburst. Not going to say anything, Tom will just go and we're using the gate as instructed. Phone will be connected to computer tomorrow ready for her text and then I will let loose. I can type faster on puter than on phone.

First Show

We did it, our first show since March 2007. Took the float down and picked up Ainsleigh on the way. Stopped at the gate and went to get Tom. He loaded so easily which was great. We then headed off to Waikanae for their Combined Training day. Dressage was not really great, I need to try and give more with my hands, but worry that Tom will get away on me. Judge gave me some positive comments and so did spectators so I was very happy. Jumping was another issue, having not done anything for that last two years, we were both very 'green'. Tom seemed to be unsure of his approach, so after jumping the first two very big (well thats how it felt), the third jump he did the same but on landing I lost my balance and off I came. Luckily Tom slowed down and I did a lovely dismount onto my feet. Felt a bit rattled after that so retired. Saw that the weather was going to pack up so called it a day and went home.

I had a fantastic day and Tom was a perfect gentleman, very well behaved for his first outing in a while. He looked gorgeous. The float was perfect in every way and towed like a dream, actually felt like I had nothing behind me it travelled so well. Even Tom travelled well in it, no sweating like he usually does. Ainsleigh was a wonderful help, kept me busy so I did not stress and was so encouraging, it was really nice to have company for a change. I think the move to her place will be a benefit for both of us as we both like our "Poofy" riding.

It felt so good to have my own wheels. Here are some photos of our big day out.