Duncan: Late Summer/Early Autumn, 2010

This is footage of Duncan that I've put together from August 07 - October 16, 2010. Duncan is a 2001, 15.3 American Paint Horse gelding...and my big, yellow marshmallow. :)

For those who have missed seeing Duncan on Youtube, here's a quick glimpse into some of the work I've been doing with him to bring him back from his (non-riding related) injury. While down in Florida last winter, he spooked while being lead across pavement and unfortunately lost his footing and fell. Though nothing was broken--thank God--his right shoulder definitely took the brunt of the fall. His muscle on that side really atrophied, so it's been a delicate balancing act of asking him to stretch and rebuild the muscle, but not asking for too much, too soon. I've been doing a combination of groundwork and light riding, gradually increasing the time spans of these sessions. He starts out a bit stiff, but he works out of it as the muscles get warmed up.

One thing that I feel is very important--something that Clue, my mare, has taught me--is listening to the horse, in terms of discerning what he/she is ready to do. Duncan volunteered a canter during our ride in the field last month, so I let him open up and then asked him to try his other lead--but I let it be his idea. We've since graduated to including a few laps of canter in each direction as part of his flatwork, and he's stepped into it without hesitation. In my opinion, he's still going to need quite a bit of time and work before he can get back to jumping, and I'm going to get another series of ultrasounds/radiographs done to be sure things look good. I've seen positive progress each day, but I have all the time and patience in the world when it comes to getting him restarted comfortably and confidently. The focus of most of our riding sessions is building strength, flexibility, and stamina, and that's what I've tried to portray in this video. On most days when I've been to the barn to work him, I've not had anyone available to film, so sorry it's relatively short!

Hopefully, I'll have time to do some more video updates on Clue, Dunc, and Shelby in the coming weeks. Work is keeping me very, very busy. Thanks for asking about Duncan and how he's doing. He's very happy at Stepping Stone Farm, and he's loving being back to work. :)

Thanks Jen and Mom for filming all of this footage! Folks, forgive me if my equitation isn't perfect...especially in the field. Someone was very "forward motivated," shall we say... ;) I'm not interested in critiques.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• buckskin
• american
• paint
• horse
• gelding
• walk
• trot
• canter
• english
• riding

[MrYOYO654321]

Ugg sorry my computer Is being a retard I meant is he yours?

[dragonfly1030]

@MrYOYO654321 Haha, no problem! Yes, he is. :)

[GD3RG15]

ive seen ur vids ever since the tag vid i love them

did u roach his mane ?

[dragonfly1030]

@GD3RG15 Thanks! Nah, I cut it into a mohawk, carefully. It's already long again!

[Heartland4ver]

OMG just found your channel...and your horse is called Duncan!!! So is mine!! :) its such an unusuall name for a horse, ive never found another horse called Duncan until you! :) hes superr cute!! 

[dragonfly1030]

@Heartland4ver Thanks! I named him after a friend of mine who passed away. Glad you found your way to my channel!

[cityzenkane108]

your horse is absolutely stunning, your so lucky :)

[myquarterlife]

I love you and your horse!!

[horsefeathersgirl100]

Your horse Duncan is sooooo beautiful!!!!!!!! And you are an amazing rider! :)

[dragonfly1030]

@ponygirlsontrey Yes, def. tell me when you post them! I'm wishing you all the best! :)

[ponygirlsontrey]

omg!! i havent seen a alot of ur videos in forever!!! im glad duncan is okay! but i have a favor to ask u. im ab to buy another horse for myself: QH/TB 15.2 mare 5 years old. once i post some of my videos of us jumping can u give me some pointers on wut im doing right and wrong, mel? thanks!! i'll tell u when i post them