> This is a 30 year old horse, unfit, not been ridden for a long time, > suddenly had a saddle put on and ridden in trot and canter. Now, to > me, that seems like simply asking for trouble. And not because of what > he's being fed - a 30 year old will have much higher needs if he's to > maintain weight through the winter, and once he loses weight you will > find it really hard to get it back on him. > > Beet pulp is indeed a filler - the treatment modern beet pulp > undergoes when the sugar is extracted means it's not an awful lot more > than *just* a filler with a few vitamins and minerals. This old guy > probably needs his sweet feed too. > > It sounds to me like he has some kind of pain issue - not that > surprising if he's had a long rest, then been asked to trot and canter > out of the blue. I would guess he hurt, and he said in the only way > left "get the hell off me, lady!". So he got more riding, pretty > intense from the sound of it, to teach him a lesson.... > > If you had had a long break from exercise (and you were a pensioner to > boot!), you would not start with a 5 mile run. You should not ask your > poor old horse to do the same - please, I know this probably sounds > harsh, but have some common sense! Start him gently, just 10 minutes > at walk only for a week or two, gradually building him up to an hour > or so. Then start adding some trot (or tolt or whatever he finds > easiest). Finally, once you've built up some basic fitness, think > about cantering. Give the guy a break, he deserves better. > > Mic
Well said, Mic! I'd also be concerned about the saddle fit/causing pain--that's to me what he seemed to be saying. Robyn S
