I had the dentist out to Kels yesterday - the other livery booked it as she knew her horse needed attention and Kels hasn't had hers checked since May 2007.
Anyway, as I'd got the day off work, I spent some quality time with her while I was waiting, and forgot to go to the cashpoint, so when the dentist arrived I asked if they'd look at Kels first to see if she needed anything doing, and if she did I could nip and get some dosh while they were doing the other horse.
The assistant put the gag on, her hand disappeared up to the elbow, then she called "Hey, ****, come and look at this!". My heart came into my mouth, and they said not to panic, but apart from the expected hooks on her fronts, one of her backs is worn down to the gumline. They want her sedated before they sort her out because there's quite a bit to do, and they can sort her out. They asked who checked her teeth last time, but I don't know.
So all her issues have been explained now: she puts her tongue over the bit, is very unresponsive on the left rein, she throws her head all over the place when I try to bridle her (even with her new crossunder bitless), she's started messing about having her headcollar put on, and sometimes plays up being led back to the field. In fact, the only time she behaves every time is when she has her rope halter on, so obviously this is the only item of headgear she finds comfortable at the moment.
They said that I mustn't feel bad because this problem has been going on for more than eighteen months. The sensible side of me says that it's not my fault, because a) I didn't own her last time she was checked and b) even if I had owned her then, you have to trust so-called experts to take care of your animals, as her previous owner did, but I can't shake the feeling that I've let this wonderful horse down.
It's a testament to what a brave and willing horse she is, because it's like she's been saying "Look, I don't want to be a nuisance, but my mouth's very uncomfortable, and I'd really prefer not to have anything on my head if that's OK with you" instead of biting, rearing, bucking, kicking or any other equine forms of protest.
I'm quite pleased about my confidence crisis at the moment, because at least I haven't forced her to do anything that hurts her.
Cookies and hot chocolate for reading.
Anyway, as I'd got the day off work, I spent some quality time with her while I was waiting, and forgot to go to the cashpoint, so when the dentist arrived I asked if they'd look at Kels first to see if she needed anything doing, and if she did I could nip and get some dosh while they were doing the other horse.
The assistant put the gag on, her hand disappeared up to the elbow, then she called "Hey, ****, come and look at this!". My heart came into my mouth, and they said not to panic, but apart from the expected hooks on her fronts, one of her backs is worn down to the gumline. They want her sedated before they sort her out because there's quite a bit to do, and they can sort her out. They asked who checked her teeth last time, but I don't know.
So all her issues have been explained now: she puts her tongue over the bit, is very unresponsive on the left rein, she throws her head all over the place when I try to bridle her (even with her new crossunder bitless), she's started messing about having her headcollar put on, and sometimes plays up being led back to the field. In fact, the only time she behaves every time is when she has her rope halter on, so obviously this is the only item of headgear she finds comfortable at the moment.
They said that I mustn't feel bad because this problem has been going on for more than eighteen months. The sensible side of me says that it's not my fault, because a) I didn't own her last time she was checked and b) even if I had owned her then, you have to trust so-called experts to take care of your animals, as her previous owner did, but I can't shake the feeling that I've let this wonderful horse down.
It's a testament to what a brave and willing horse she is, because it's like she's been saying "Look, I don't want to be a nuisance, but my mouth's very uncomfortable, and I'd really prefer not to have anything on my head if that's OK with you" instead of biting, rearing, bucking, kicking or any other equine forms of protest.
I'm quite pleased about my confidence crisis at the moment, because at least I haven't forced her to do anything that hurts her.
Cookies and hot chocolate for reading.