Rocky’s Progress – Teething Problems
For a few days, Rocky seemed like the perfect pony. We have been getting him ready for backing and he lunges well on both reins, drives on long reins around the arena and up and down the lane, and has even had a small journey in the horse trailer.
He followed me up the back ramp and down the front ramp three times with little hesitation. I parked the car and trailer at the bottom of the lane to our yard, where he would see his friend in the field in front of him and where the hedge on either side would encourage him to up the ramp instead of around it. All well. Good boy, Rocky!
Two days later, we took him one step further. Accompanied by an experienced pony who has travelled to shows in the trailer, Rocky went for a short drive. He was excited, perhaps a little unsettled but not phased. He was pleased to see me when I opened the jockey door but didn’t bolt down the front ramp when it opened. Good boy, Rocky!
(Photo by © Rita Kochmarjova)
Alas, we have now hit a stumbling block. Rocky has developed a phobia about the bit in his mouth and clamps his jaw shut when the bridle approaches. This reluctance has now turned to downright obstinance, with rearing and kicking out with front legs. Something must be wrong and pain is always what we have to consider first. The dentist and vet are coming on Thursday and, in the meantime, we will leave his mouth alone. He will continue with loose lungeing and perhaps popping over cross poles.
New rules in Ireland now mean that an equine dentist cannot sedate a horse (or farrier, physiotherapist, etc) so the vet also needs to be present to administer an IV sedative. Hopefully this will make the procedure as painless as possible for the pony. I wouldn’t fancy having a filling or a tooth out without an anaesthetic, would you?
We will see what the dentist says about his mouth.