The ageing horse …

The hard reality of the ageing horse. 

i’ve been a bit quiet over the last few months about posting about Buddy G, many of you know him and some may not, so let me bring you up to speed. 

I met buddy about 7yrs ago, when i started teaching his owner, as soon as i met him i was blown away by him, he struck a cord in my heart, so when a phone came asking would i like him on loan for a year, while his owner starts a family i didn’t even have to think about it, it was a no brainer. 

he isn’t the safe have type that you’d ride when your pregnant so i was delighted that i had the opportunity to loan him , keep him eventing for her while his lovely owner had a quiet year… well one year became what will be 6 years this year. he was turning 14 when i first got him and he’ll be 20 this year. 

Ive had the best time with him, we’ve done bridleless jumping demos, photoshoots, evented round the old 1stars together, very rarely did he come home without a ribbon, even gone blood hounding - we have had so much fun, iv always been mindful to not over run or compete him and always said ill be lead by him with what he wants to do…. last year i started to noticed that when i looked at the pics from the comps i saw tiredness in his eyes, both occasions he had been amazing, even won at one of them, but i couldn’t help but see the depth of the story his eye told, his heart was still willing, i honestly think he’d jump the moon if you asked, he’s so loyal and tried his heart out - even more reason to recognise his body needing to slow down.
last summer he also had a bout of asthma and i had to call the vet, she relived him and we went on our merry way, till the cold snaps in this winter bringing it on again. 

Ive slowed and reduced his work down, something we all thought he might not like, as he has never holidayed well, he has always loved to be doing, its all he has known, but he has gracefully accepted a slower less intense pace of work, his breathing has also affected what i’ve been able to do with him. 

Ive got increasing more concerned for him as the recent weeks have passed with regards to his breathing and i really felt he is starting to feel his hocks ( we have successfully managed them very well for the last few years with regular indiba treatments) but recently he’s not felt as good as he used to. winter is hard on the oldies, with it being so cold and wet. The physio confirmed my thought, which even when you know yourself it’s hard to hear. 

some of you might be screaming by now medicate, see the vet etc, we have talked and discussed options and come to the agreement that what ever we do , we do for him and not our gain. It’s about him being comfortable , not about what he can do, my current goal with our plan of action, between a intense course of indiba and herbs for his breathing as well hocks that we get him comfortable and he can still enjoy some ground work, he loves playing at liberty still, so i will be lead and guided by him

its bloody hard when their bodies start to age, all we can do is listen and respond in the right way for them. myself and his owner don’t want to drug him up for the sake of meaning he can still do loads, we will for sure make sure he is comfortable and be guided by what he loves doing which is currently playing  at liberty and being fussed so we shall embrace this next chapter with the love and gratitude i have for him. 

Trot up at Aldon CCI 1 star 2018