Getting Qantas going again after his long winter break and laser surgery has been quite the mission. He’s always been pretty sensitive about his girth area and very easily gets tense in his lats. The laser site took longer than expected to heal and has healed as a little bump rather than flat, which isn’t idea as it’s right under the girth.
Every time I thought he was ready to start again I’d take him out and after 20mins the tail swishing would start, he’d turn to nip the girth and then freeze on the spot and if asked to move would throw himself sideways. So I gave him more and more time off.
Thankfully the wonderful guys at Readwood Rehabilitation Livery took him on for 3 weeks, he was getting fat and unfit and I was a bit stuck with what to do with him. They did a great job of getting him back in shape and ready for ridden work, softening up the scar tissue, getting him checked by a Physio and doing sessions on the underwater treadmill. I couldn’t recommend them enough and would love to send my horses for pre-season training with them every year.
Once we starting riding we’ve had a few hiccups with his sensitivity, but considering he hadn’t been ridden since November he’s actually come back to it great. He has a 40km planned soon and I’m just hoping that this time we make it into the vet and across the start line at least. We’re taking Tissy with him to hopefully keep him calmer and going the night before to give him a chance to settle, so fingers crossed this may be the start of his endurance career and end of his current issues.
Alongside that, Azid has found a lovely new home, he’s on a lease for now, if the owners like him then the rest of the sale price will be paid and they can keep him, if it doesn’t work out then he can come back to me. I feel it’s the best of both worlds between sale and loan and really makes sure everyone is happy and Azid is looked after.
Beth Endurance 