Guide to all things Pony? - and, meet Grundy

Syrynx · February 24, 2025, 6:26pm

Glad you are ok! Similar thing happened to me, on my clydesdale. I rolled under the fence somehow with only a fractured pelvis. I say only because it was not displaced so I could sorta kinda walk to the truck DH drove into the ring to take me to the ER.

It turns out my big guy is deaf and would spook/bolt when he caught something out of the corner of his eye, completely out of nowhere. We never did figure out what it was that time but he was promptly retired to my back yard.

This may sound bad but I do hope the vet finds something treatable because bolting out of nowhere, to me, is pretty scary.

endlessclimb · February 24, 2025, 6:30pm

I doubt the vet will find the cause of the bolt. It was pretty scary, and not something I take lightly. That said, it was the first time she’s done it, so I’m holding out hope that that billet tore and scooted the girth over abruptly which goosed her. She’s a reactive type anyhow, so I can see how something like that might get her going.

If it happens again randomly, that will trigger the red alarm bells. In the meantime, I need to work on one rein stops and my own reaction time to try and shut stuff down before we are 3 strides in. If I had yanked her around within a stride or two I think, maybe, I could have shut it down. I was just brutally unprepared.

TWH_Girl · February 24, 2025, 7:54pm

That’s a shoddy off billet if it ripped that easily.
You could send picture to the seller and/or manufacturer to notify them. I try to buy only name brand good western products simply due to possibilities like this. I remember my old gelding freaked when a stupid Wintec webber came off. Promptly threw those away.

endlessclimb · February 24, 2025, 7:58pm

Yes indeed. I did contact the seller, as the manufacturer does not sell direct as far as I can tell. It was a Berlin Custom Leather Y Shaped Off-Billet, purchased from Riding Warehouse. Now, I will try to rig that same Y up with a standard latigo, but I am nervous now that it too might tear. Has anyone rigged up a Y set up with two regular nylon off billets? Or harness leather ones?

Christa_P · February 24, 2025, 9:25pm

Are you anywhere near any Amish shops or other leather workers? It looks like something they could easily replicate using the damaged one as a template. The right shop could probably even add nylon reinforcement.

TWH_Girl · February 24, 2025, 9:33pm

I have a Circle Y saddle with dropped rigging for a Y set up but I do not cinch up that way- just the normal western tie. If you’re not trail riding on steep hills and the saddle fits well, you shouldn’t need to do the Y rigging. I find it to be a pain.

endlessclimb · February 25, 2025, 12:22am

Everything likes to scoot forward on this girl, so I like to use the Y rigging to distribute the pressure so I don’t have to girth so tight.

I could try it though. I don’t find girthing any more cumbersome using the Y rigging myself, though!

endlessclimb · February 25, 2025, 1:05pm

I’ll just use a regular latigo. I’m a little spooked on the fancy stuff now, I’ll go old school so I know it won’t break lol

endlessclimb · February 25, 2025, 11:24pm

All 4 feet xrayed. No signs of navicular. All 4 are flat or NPA. And so it begins lol

TWH_Girl · February 26, 2025, 1:59am

Ugh what did the vet suggest? Can you keep her barefoot and work through things by trimming?

endlessclimb · February 26, 2025, 9:15am

That’s what I’m going to start with, as I’ve not had luck with shoeing with 3D frog pads and such.

I think I need to dedicate myself to learning to trim a bit.

Simkie · February 26, 2025, 11:08am

Fwiw, I’ve had really excellent results addressing npa with casting. My little filly only holds onto her casts for a week, and that balance of protection + frequent very small adjustments in the foot has worked wonders. It’s easy, and cheap, and once you get the hang of it, takes very little time to do.

Highly recommend!

endlessclimb · February 26, 2025, 12:35pm

I know exactly zero about this - do you have any good resources to get started?

Simkie · February 26, 2025, 1:08pm

YouTube!

There are also some videos here.

https://shopedss.com/equicast-2-casting-material-for-treating-horse-foot-problems-2-x-4yd/

I use 2" scotchcast

https://a.co/d/1lgumah

You’ll also need adhere, the gun, the tips, and that plastic wrap on a stick stuff. I usually buy from Anvil, their prices are the best. I get 8-10 feet out of each tube of adhere. You’ll need a tip per foot.

If she’s especially tender or thin soled, you can even slap pads under the casts. I’ve used leather pads with a leather based packing with good effect.

It’s really very straightforward! There is a learning curve and it took me a few times to feel competent but stakes are low if they lose a cast (vs walking out of a $$ glue on shoe somewhere in the field.)

I started with the fronts, then started doing her all around after the farrier was just blown away at the amount of heel she grew in front with one cycle, and added the pads/packing late summer when the ground got hard. It’s easy to go back & forth between casting and not.

They are slippery on winter terrain. Not so much loose snow (although they collect snow & snowball like crazy) but if it’s at all slick, they will be SLICK. So maybe something for once you’re past snowy season. We’re almost there!

But two thumbs up highly recommend and that ability to protect them while also making regular very minor adjustments is great.

endlessclimb · February 26, 2025, 1:18pm

Sounds awesome, and like something I just might be able to do lol. Thanks for the suggestion!

Simkie · February 26, 2025, 1:48pm

Totally something you can do! I hope it works just as well for you as it has here. Good luck!

endlessclimb · March 10, 2025, 3:28pm

A little weekend brag.

Since the weather is finally breaking, I’m being more consistent with my working with her and riding this week. We have upped the ante on desensitizing, focusing for now while ground driving, squashing any attempts at bolting to try and recondition her mind to another thought process when startled. The first few were ugly, but she seems to totally get it now, that she can drop and take a jump step but not go full bore.

Sunday, I rode her with the neighbors burning a giant brush pile, operating a chainsaw, hooting and hollering, and occasionally using a fire extinguisher. Other than one tiny little scoot that she allowed me to diffuse easily, she was perfect. Good girl, Grundy!