Blue's Boo Boo

Blue is always a handful but lately when under the saddle, he has resisted the bit especially while walking.  In doing so he brings his head up and down as though saying 'yes' but it is really a 'no'.  Sometimes there is a fly on his chest or on his forehead or just those persistant gnats but during the summer (besides the usual fly spray), I put the Cashel riding mask which helps a lot.  But it is no longer summer....

Last Sunday we traveled down to Lexington to practice cross country at a local park.  I never went cross country with him and of course he was wired.  Jessie was in the trailer munching on hay and out of sight.  Uh oh! I knew there would be nervousness from that alone, but he was with three other horses and the wide open fields has several horses and riders running around.  He finally settled down but this head bobbing during the walk was constant, as though I put a quarter in  this horse machine....up down, up down, it was getting tiresome.  His behavior required a more firm feel of the mouth than the usual arena work although he settled down somewhat.  His bit is an expensive copper three part D ring snaffle which supposedly fits horse's mouths better and enhances acceptance.  I thought the little bean would make the bit more comfortable for him.

When horses are in pain, they move away from it.  I noticed his back is getting better and the simple act of gently laying the saddle on his pads, resulted in no movement the other day.  I was surprised as we have been working hard but his back is pliable and there is no muscle firing...for now.  That might change again but I hope not.   Noticing this, brought me to take a look into his mouth.  Maybe there was something hurting him.  I dislike getting hold of the tongue so I peeked in and thought I saw a tiny slice on the right and a dot of red on the left.  These marks were not at the edges but inside, especially the dot.  I was very very upset.  This is not good, this is not what I am about.  My horses receive the best care, the best tack, the best of everything that I can afford.  My wardrobe has suffered greatly due to the money that goes to my horses, but I don't care anymore which isn't very 'girly', I know.  No more manies, no more pedi's, that extra cash goes to my ponies.  They rely on me and I must give them the best possible care.  I can't stand people who say they cannot afford to have the vet in, then go off on a vacation, or overspend on some useless material object while their animal suffers.  It makes no sense to me, and these people are not true horse people in my opinion. 

We went to the vet the next day at 5 pm.  Blue needed some vaccines so I saved $60 by hauling in.  This is what the vet saw...this is part of the reason for the head bobbing though my vet and my instructor agree that the resistance will not stop...that is just Blue until I correct it and they know I spoil him.  I didn't notice the dot on top of the mouth until I zoomed in on these photos and I know my vet didn't notice either!  (And his tooth looks chipped in the front but it isn't!  ) 

Poor Blue, has such a bad boy reputation and didn't help the situation much by biting the vet!  Yes, he bit the vet!  It wasn't bad, but I know it hurt and he drew blood.  I was told there is an extra fee for that, but I sassed back and told my good vet that he should have known better and gotten that big fat tongue to the side.  The vet has never been bitten before after all these years and this is the first time!  Thanks Blue, please remember the vet is our friend, not our enemy!

So, there is no ointment or meds to administer as my vet says these cuts are very minor and nothing to worry about.  He said that I should see some of the mouth sores that are out there...no thank you, Doc.  I think this is awful enough.  I did get some vaseline to cover the dot and I was told to give it five days with no riding.  I guess I will be doing a lot of handwalking! 

Blue, you are a baby! Those marks probably came from all of your head tossing in Lexington.  Why can't you be good like me and be brave? 

So that is the lastest on Blue.  They were happy to get back into their paddock although they like short trips. I will try Jessie's medium stainless steel eggbutt snaffle. I checked all the bits for rough edges.  I had originally gotten him a larger bit, but my instructor said it was too big.  I thought I measured correctly but I readily listen to those who have more experience.  Maybe I shouldn't have....time will tell.  Ok big Blue, get ready for some groundwork and there better not be any resistance!