109. Sore backs and Sore hooves!

Today, i attempted to lunge Spice but after a few steps of trot i could see that she was uncomfortable and slightly lame on her hoof. My heart sank because i thought the lameness had subsided but due to the two cracks where the abscess burst through i think Spice is understandably still tender on it. So, apart from groundwork it looks like i can pretty much write of the next month in terms of doing any real work. I'm so gutted, if it weren't for this dam abscess she'd be fine by now but it really seems to have set us back. I completely understand why so many people are put off by going barefoot as i think the majority of horses struggle with it and are no doubt un ride-able for a considerable amount of time. Having got this far i really don't want to give up but boy do i feel like it!

It also looks like Fen our herd leader may have a sore back :( as she bucked her rider off the other day which was unusual (although at the time we put it down to her being spooked after the saddle slipping). However, it seems like we could have been wrong as today she made it quite clear that she didn't want to be mounted, was difficult to girth up and then acted very out of character for the duration of the ride. She was first diagnosed with a bad back last summer and was then given treatment and time off which seemed to do her the world of good as when her back was assessed just a few weeks ago she was pretty much given the all clear.

But it seems that after just a short time of her being ridden she has become sore again. Fingers crossed, it will just be something she has done in the field and easily mendable because Fen is our herd leader and needs to be fit for her job!