He's Forrest! New horse thread

[findeight]

Since he was recently racing and did not get a gradual let down, you may be dealing with body and leg soreness for some time, IMO wait and see is an option here, wont worsen anything and Dr Green may do her magic with him simply moving regularly and naturally over time as he physically recovers, rebuilds and finishes growing with the now available calories not diverted to staying in racing shape.

Overall, sounds like good news, might want to use Bute for awhile to help reduce the likely considerable inflammation as well as help him move without favoring something thats sore.

Give him 60 days or so, thats a couple of shoeing cycles and lots of unforced steps. Reevaluate then if needed.

[BatCoach]

I mean how could you not fall in love with a sweet boy like him?

[fivestrideline]

Yep, vet thinks his stifles are catchy (no surprise) so some light work was suggested. He has had bute here and there, I’ve got him on magnesium as well. I plan to get on him and do some light hacking if he can handle it - definitely will do handwalks on the trails. I’d like to start taking him to friends’ arenas and some local shows to watch and hack, so we have to start somewhere!

We are working him up to 24/7 turnout. He went out in the group today, and except for the altercation where my gelding nailed him in the ribs, it went well! The boss is a tyrant - you better MOVE if he says move - but he’s pretty fair. Forrest will be in at night for a week or so until we are sure the shuffling of command has been sorted and no one is being an ass.

Forrest has been relegated to the bottom of the pecking order at the moment. Maybe even below the mini who usually stays out of it . He’s probably not been out with others since his weanling days, so he has been wearing his Mildly Shocked face all day. But he seemed to really enjoy it, and the mare above goes and checks on him every time someone pins their ears at the poor baby

[fivestrideline]

@BatCoach

I mean how could you not fall in love with a sweet boy like him?

You really can’t beat his brain. He wants to be involved in everything and watched the vet appointments with interest. Even the power float

[fivestrideline]

Excuse the lighting but - he’s officially been sat on! It was 60 degrees and gorgeous today, so of course I had to stay late at work. I’d decided if it was dry enough in the round pen that I was going to sit on him just to see how it went, so by golly I was gonna do it!

He was an angel. A little anxious, and we definitely have some ground manners to work on (typical OTTB, never been asked to STAND DAMMIT) but he was pretty happy to walk around and do some halt transitions. I’ve had plenty that need to GO once you’re on, but he was actually pretty good!

He’s mouthy, chomping at the bit with some head twist. My vet said no need to do teeth, so I’ll be playing with bits for him. My other OTTB also champs this bit (copper lozenge double jointed D), but loves a low port Mullen so I’ll toss his bridle on Forrest next time. Otherwise, I have a single joint D or I need to go shopping

[OnAMission]

Now it’s clear how big he is! He’s so balanced and elegant, I’m glad you got a good ride on him, I think he’s a peach!

[fivestrideline]

I’m NOT short either .

I honestly have no clue how big he is - he’s still drawn up and race tight, so I’m hoping he will fill out and chunk up a bit.

In other news, someone (probably Boss Man) took a chunk of hair out of his butt this afternoon. Poor guy has teeth marks on his booty but seems none the worse for wear. We will wait until the herd dynamics die down before leaving him out 24/7 as is my goal. I’m also aware that he’s 4 and may not have been on turnout since his baby days, so scrapes are to be expected.

[OnAMission]

Gosh just four… he’s learning to give to pressure in pasture! What a great horse, I really have a soft spot for him.

[cayuse]

Good Boy Forrest!

[JBCool]

Way to go, Forrest! Durn is he gonna be good looking! Love him

[Jenerationx]

WOW! That’s a big elegant boy!

[SillyHorse]

He looks so good now, I can only imagine how he’s going to look once he’s let down and filled out. Yay, Forrest!

[lenapesadie]

Woohoo! Awesome!

[MissusS]

Anyone else doing the physics/geometry/athletic equation over here of tall horse plus 2-step mounting block (rather than the 3-step I need no-matter-what)? No, just me? LOL I fully realize there is a whole swath of people who can climb aboard with no mounting block or a smaller one but for me it’s 3-step or bust haha

He is absolutely gorgeous and you two look great together. I can’t wait to follow along with more updates.

[fivestrideline]

Haha the two step worked okay this time, but if he decides to grow we may need a 3 step .

I think he’s handsome. But I’m a little biased

[RedHorses]

If he’s four he should grow some more. Enjoy him, @fivestrideline!

[fivestrideline]

Forrest and his girlfriend. They’re inseparable to a concerning degree

We went on another little hack yesterday up the hill behind the pastures. All by himself in a spot he’s not been, and he was great! The chomping on the bit is definitely anxiety related, and comes and goes. We only did 15 minutes with maybe 1 minute of little trot bursts thrown in to test the gas pedal, and practiced standing until told to move. He was very happy to explore.

He’s certainly not interested in going anywhere fast, but I can’t tell if it’s because he’s tight and a little unsure what to do about this lady asking him to be ridden in a field, or if he’s just that lazy. We shall see.

In other news, he’s out 24/7 as of Saturday! Honestly I think he likes his stall and was a little shocked to be left out . He will feel much better with a chance to keep moving, I think.

[SillyHorse]

@fivestrideline

Forrest and his girlfriend. They’re inseparable to a concerning degree

We should all be so lucky to find that kind of true love.

[chocolate_chip_in]

What a sweet boy! Glad he’s making friends and being cooperative under saddle

[beowulf]

What a lovely horse you have. The photo of you on him - frame that!! The first ride feeling is so special.

Regarding the swaying thing - my money is on foot soreness. They will do this when they anticipate pain, can be from driving the nail into a foot with no sole depth, to just having a hard time putting all their weight on a compromised foot.