Wednesday, October 14, 2009

What's your horse's downtime?

Why'm I asking? Oh, no reason...


7 comments:

  1. We have a large number of horses (I'm ashamed to admit how many prospects and unemployed broodies we are carrying now) but the last time one was off for anything was a fractured sesamoid, and he's back sound as ever.

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  2. This past year was my worst ever. Fortunately, most of the down time was not due to injury but rather to my own lack of motivation...and a dreadfully bad footing winter and too hot summer.

    But honestly, I don't think the Boys care too much, so I won't worry about it.

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  3. Illness and injury-wise, this was definitely the worst year ever with my current horse. The frigid temps this past winter that basically froze our footing solid, made it all the more frustrating, because that's when my horse decided to be healthy (of course!)

    Here's hoping for a 0-10% down-time bracket for everyone this coming year!

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  4. The end of last year and the beginning of this year was the worst. Ink spent more like 70-80% off throughout that period. Due to limited riding or working to happen at the barn we were at, at that time (the arena was un-usable in the winter and there was no other riding space). Ink's only escape from his stall was when I'd come daily to turn him out into the arena. Although the footing was not possible to ride in, it was the best and only option for turn-out. That time made it increasingly difficult to do anything with him because of his mental state. Going back into work after we moved to the other barn helped tremendously, but it took time to bring him back and it was a big set-back in his growth and training.

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  5. This year was a good year. I picked 11-20% because I also included the previous year (I've owned this horse for 2 years) when I had to rehab a bowed tendon. Since that time, the only forced off time has been the week after long endurance rides, and a couple weeks of easy time because I felt that the bow was getting inflamed. It really has been a good year. My other horse would ahve been in the 50% somewhere....

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  6. I was pretty lucky this year - my only time off was a couple of weeks for a pretty bad hoof abcess. I've been on the other side of that coin though, and I know how frustrating it is!

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  7. and as with computers if the downtime is at an important milestone such as end of year reports doesn't matter if the year shows as 1% downtime........

    3 day before state NSCA competition my horse hurt himself and was lame. So I went and rode what ever I could find. Had a blast but my pony threw an absolute hissy fit when we loaded up the wifes' horse and he didn't get to go too. The last 5 years he has been sound and healthy.
    (knock on wood)

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