The last two months have been very challenging. As always, things have been hectic and not quite going to plan, just when they seem to be going SO well. Typically, with horses this is to be expected, as I’ve noticed, from reading a lot from other rider’s tales.
I’ve been having regular lessons with my dressage coach, Kirsten and Billy Sparklepants (BSP) and I were coming along in a really positive way. Recently, I had a day off midweek to have a lesson and have some photos taken by the local paper (more on this in a moment). I noticed in the paddock BSP seemed a bit stiff. Once we were at Kirsten’s, I pampered him for a while with a good brush and then tacked up and headed to the arena. As soon as I mounted and he took that first step, I knew something was wrong and so did Kirsten.
Dismounting immediately, we unsaddled him and I led him around and he was extremely sore in both forelegs. We did a mobility test and felt for a digital pulse and he appeared to have a monster one in his left and a less pulsating one in the right foreleg. I was in a real dilemma. Not being my horse I was not feeling it was the right thing to do to go straight to the vet, despite the fact this is exactly what I wanted to do! I had a lengthy conversation with Kirsten and then packed up and called his owner and took him straight home. Upon arrival I unloaded him and walked him around for Anne to view and she called the local vet and then yelled out from the house, “Load him up!”
We drove to Yarrambat and unloaded and after a short wait, Kate the vet asked me to lead him to the gate and trot back. BSP is such a good boy, even when he’s sore. I began to run and he willingly followed me, limping away. We went into the shed and began with a leg examination, pinch test and mobility test. Everything seemed normal.
Kate then suggested that we do a nerve block, so Anne agreed and we waited ten minutes and then did another trot up. BSP moved so much better! So, the problem appeared to be isolated to the right hoof. There was no sign of an abscess, even when the shoe was removed. So we poulticed it and headed home. Of course, the poultice came off in the float and we were unable to find a canvass hoof boot so the following day, I sourced two from interstate and we packed it on again. The following Wednesday, the farrier came and again, no sign of an abscess and BSP seemed to be better! We really don’t know what the problem was and we’re thinking perhaps he had a bit of a spac-attack in the paddock and slipped and pulled something. Upon the vet’s advice to wait a week after he was sound, I plan to hop on him this Sunday to see how he is. The past 3 weeks have been killing me not riding when we’ve been making so much progress!
I’ve entered my first two events for 2015. Cockatoo jump trials and the King Valley Dressage Championships. I am really looking forward to a PB in my dressage. I know it’s going to be so much better than what we’ve previously done!
Outside of my undying love of all things equine, I have had some wonderful, personal achievements.
I competed at Targa High Country over three days in our 2010 GT3 911 CS Porsche affectionately nicknamed Bumblebee and we placed 8th out of 200 cars. We were absolutely thrilled!
I also completed my scholarship of the Advanced Diploma in Emergency Management and I started the Walking Forward Disaster Relief Team to help and support people in need with pets.
We aim to create a national database of safe equine properties for horses to be evacuated to PRIOR to, during or after a disaster. We are blessed to have had a lot of positive interest and I have a meeting with DEPI and several Shire Councils to discuss our plan next week.
I am raising money to have my Equine Emergency App developed and released. It will keep horse owners up to date with emergencies and will also include an education section on pets and disasters. I'm also raising funds to produce an Equine bushfire first aid kit (including a large animal rescue book) and to provide a specialised Equine bushfire prevention calendar with interactive stickers for owners to use as triggers for things they need to do.
We have received high praise from the Emergency Services Commissioner, Mr Craig Lapsley for our work so far, which is extremely exciting - as I have a bit of a “hero crush” on him and the amazing leadership and work he does!
If you would like further information, or to register or help us in anyway, please join us on Facebook.
Several local papers interviewed me and our article was published in the Herald Sun too! BSP is such a star!
Until next time, keep walking forward, no matter how small the steps seem to be!
Love Jenna and BSP xoxo
