>>>> Now she has taken to bucking..humping hopping...when cantered. The lady I bought her off said she would try all sorts of funny gaits, so she would make her canter and canter untill she was really tired. The lady said this was to make Emmy know she (the rider ) was in charge of what gaits should be using.
Sigh...this isn't directed at you, Zoe, but here's another reason to learn about the gaits. Noticing what gait(s) a horse prefers, and noticing when there is a change in the preferred gaits can be a valuable tool for communicating with a horse. They don't have voices, but their gaits are an important part of their body language. What purpose would be gained by making a horse canter and canter until she's tired? Grrr! Was this owner her only other owner? Is this the way she was always treated? >>> When I tried her before I bought her, she cantered okay..but I had to press her to canter and she was really quick in that canter, she did not want to go slowly. It could well be that canter is not easy for her. It's not an easy gait for some of the more lateral ones. Do you have a clue what her gait preferences are? Of course, if she's been forced into doing gaits she doesn't like for a while, you may be hard pressed to see what she's doing because she's been taught, and what she's doing by choice. >>>> With the saddle on I alwasy feel like I am tilted to the left on her.or the saddle is off to the left a bit. Now Emmy has given me the "evil eye" when I tack her up. The owner said she had done that to her too and that she bloats like crazy, but I never noticed as I do up the girth very slowly wand walk around between tighening. Ok, it really sounds to me like something is up - her saddle doesn't fit, her back hurts, she's sore somewhere, has ulcers...the possibilities are endless. But, she's telling you as best she can. >>>> I have poked and proded her back with no signs of flinching anywhere.I have checked the saddle pad and girth. I have looked at her mouth and see no signs of ulcers or sharp points. Loftur's back was so locked up when we got him that normal poking didn't faze him. I was shocked the day the chiro first worked with him and he reacted so strongly. I had no clue - and he wasn't the first horse with back issues I'd had. Horses can be VERY stoic. And of course, it might not be her back at all. Tivar bucked, but got much better after we treated him for ulcers. >>> I am getting a chiropractor out for her in the next few weeks. I will get her teeth done to, althought they were done about 8 months ago. Have you had a medical vet, not just a dentist or chiropractor checks her? I will use a chiropractor, but I actually prefer to start with the traditional diagnoses route first. The fact that she has had five foals would make me wonder if she had some stress from childbirth - another possibility along with the back and ulcer possibilities. Some vets are much better at this sort of mystery than are others. Karen Thomas, NC [EMAIL PROTECTED]
