Yesterday I turned him out in the arena for a couple hours to roll and run and play. Today I tacked him up with lunging surcingle and worked him in side reins. At first he had a lot of energy (for him), but by the end I was having to remind him that it's his responsibility to maintain whatever gait I have asked for.
When I pulled his tack off, there was a slight bump on the right side of his backbone in the same ol' place. Rick says he's going to ultrasound Lance's back to investigate further, but I don't know when he'll get around to that. I've called and left a message for the saddle maker/fitter I've used, but still don't anticipate him making a trip north anytime soon. Laura has offered to bring me her saddle with the interchangeable gullet to try, and Theresa just sent me photos of an Ortho-Flex dressage saddle she has for sale. The latter sent me searching through old emails to see if I still had any info on an Ortho-Flex saddle I tried on Russell years ago . . . and I found something very interesting. Almost nine years ago I sent the inventor of the Corrector (AND Ortho-Flex) the photos below, showing a swelling I was seeing on Russell's back after every ride when using the Corrector.
In his email response, Len said, "I know what the problem is, thanks for the pictures. Give me a call and keep riding with whichever combo balances you best concerning shims or not. Keep riding with the Corrector and expect the lump. I'll explain when you call, it's easier that way." I do not remember what he said when I called; I do know that I eventually discontinued using the Corrector on Russell because he seemed happier without it.
Last year I used the Corrector for every ride on both Larry and Horton for months, and neither of them ever got a bump or showed any other adverse reactions to the Corrector. How very strange that both Russell and Lance, two very different horses with very different back conformations, have reacted to it in the same way years apart!
To be continued....
6 comments:
Well, I hope the sleuthing leads to a solid answer. So many times we have to go with gut and guesswork when it comes to saddle fit. Even when things look like a perfect match.
Ill be tuning in to see where it lead for sure!
Hope you come up with something solid! On another note, Lance is so cute! Love that mane--even if it is a pain for dressage shows.
See today's post, Theresa. What if the bump is related to saddle fit at all? Curiouser and curiouser....
Thanks, Briana; I think so, too – but I am very biased. :-)
Wonder if it's something you are doing/causing? So odd that both horses would have the same thing?
I agree; it makes me wonder, too. But then why didn't either Larry or Horton have the same problem? They had the same rider and tack as both Russell and Lance, and were ridden far longer than Lance has been by me.
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