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Mirja Tague
Member
Username: mirja
Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 26, 2009 - 1:52 pm: |   |
Hello,
My horse is a 9 year old TB Gelding who I am beginning to rehab after a back injury (http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/282828.html) Two ligament lesions in the back (approximately 4 inches in front of the sacroiliac joint and 4 inches behind the saddle). He was on rest for 5 months and is beginning the rehab and conditioning process. He is supposed to start carrying weight at the walk; theoretically this should be done by my riding him. However he is at the upper limit of tranquilizer that he can have and although it is enough to keep him quiet while walking in hand it will not be enough to ride him with. So after that long intro to the case the problem is this: I need to be able to put weight on his back (somewhere in the range of 100lbs) without me riding him so I am looking for suggestions. I know some racehorses use a lead bag system but any ideas are welcome
Thank you for the help,
Mirja |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: hollyw
Post Number: 54
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 26, 2009 - 2:14 pm: | |
Mirja, did you ask this question before? Either that or I'm experiencing "deja vu," . . . lol.
I have never had to do this, but I have seen people load burlap or grain bags with sand and hang them over a saddle.
If I had my horse saddled and had to try to put 100 lbs on the saddle, I'd be in a tough spot trying to lift that 100 lbs up over my head, so I would rig up something like this:
I would buy a piece of nylon web strapping on either end of which I'd sew two strong metal clips. I'd get two canvas duffle bags and would start with clipping the handles of each one on either clip and hang the web across the seat of my saddle (making sure it can't blow off) . . . and would first work on desensitizing the horse to having flapping bags on either side. Then, I'd load the bags with bags of sand (gallon or larger sized zip-loc plastic bags) gradually increasing the number of sand bags in each duffle bag until each duffle is carrying 50 lbs . . .
That's what I would do . . .
Now . . . somebody tell me that there is already an easy device which can be purchased and used for this exercise. |
Dove2
Member
Username: dove2
Post Number: 331
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Jan 26, 2009 - 6:08 pm: | |
I recently heard an interview with the inventor of a weighted circingle called Astride: http://www.eponaire.com/index.html
Might be worth looking into, even if it is quite pricey, you might be able to rent it out later. |
Mirja Tague
Member
Username: mirja
Post Number: 14
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 - 10:50 am: | |
Holly - I like the idea of your over the saddle weights with bags - i may put something like that together. Hopefully my silly excitable TB will be able to get used to them.
Thank You,
Mirja |
Mirja Tague
Member
Username: mirja
Post Number: 15
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 - 10:55 am: | |
Dove2 - wow, this is exactly what I am looking for (although I see what you mean about pricey) I will be looking into it. The racing equipment which uses weights ends up being about the same price though - so the eponaire might be my solution.
Thank you,
Mirja |
Chris
Member
Username: stevens
Post Number: 656
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 - 11:34 am: | |
Mirja,
I could be very careful about using weights unless you have some kind of system that helps you balance the load.
Another option would be to hire someone to start your horse back to rehab. I know it's expensive, but it could be safer for everyone involved and you aren't stuck with purchased equipment you no longer need.
I would be careful about renting such equipment out due to possible litigation down the road.
Good Luck |
Shannon
Member
Username: stek
Post Number: 101
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 - 4:48 pm: | |
Holly what you describe above made of grain bags is exactly what an old cowboy I used to work with would do for colts being started. He made 'legs' out of half a grain bag filled with dirt/sand. They weighed less than 50lbs put together so if you could hoist a grain bag onto your shoulder you could get them up on the saddle. The point was to allow the colt to get used to the feel of balancing under weight and the feel of 'legs' closed around him.
These were never used long term or for conditioning though. For that Chris you make an excellent point that the load must be very well balanced, especially if your horse is recovering from an injury. |
Mirja Tague
Member
Username: mirja
Post Number: 16
Registered: 7-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 - 3:39 pm: | |
Chris - Thank you for the warning. Any weight we end up using will be balanced equally on either side as well as steady or they will not be used. Furthermore any weight will be used for no more than 10 minutes a day, at the walk and for no longer than a few weeks. The weight system is meant to provide two things: 1: some muscle gain and conditioning and 2: an alternative way to start to wear down some of his excess energy so that in a few weeks time I or one his trainers can begin riding him at the walk.
The suggestion concerning a professional to rehab him is something he actually already has but thank you! He has two full time trainers as well as a professional rider available for under saddle conditioning.
As far renting out equipment we will probably not go down that road due to lack of availability anyway . . . but thank you for the warning |
