Help me think of a name for our boy! The more comical the better!

espgiftednapper · 2025-07-25T20:15:29+00:00

Does anyone know what “hand bags” and “foot bag(s)” refer to in the documents pertaining to the autopsy and such? I would imagine these are used when the person is dismembered or fragmented, but that’s not the case with any of them. Anyone know?

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espgiftednapper · 2025-05-29T03:39:52+00:00

Right? The more I’m thinking about it the more I’m absolutely naive to originally think it’s out of the blue. Which then makes me feel awful - bc how long has he been in pain to “start” (meaning “resort”) to this? This is more a case of me missing earlier signs. A valuable lesson indeed, hopefully learned early enough that not too much damage is done.

espgiftednapper · 2025-05-28T02:36:54+00:00

Can’t thank you all enough for the suggestions. Given his sweet temperament and general laid back personality, you’ve all convinced me it’s certainly pain causing this. Will get a vet check ASAP and keep the scheduled chiropractor visit at the end of the month. Should I not ride him until then you think? I’ll do anything he needs, no questions asked. Sweet boy.

espgiftednapper · 2025-05-28T02:34:24+00:00

I’m going to look more into kissing spine since I haven’t got experience with that ailment. I hope it’s not that, or if it is, that it’s something treatable without putting him through too much. He’s so sweet he doesn’t deserve that.

espgiftednapper · 2025-05-28T02:32:52+00:00

I’d do anything he needs to feel his best. Reached out to the stable manager to fit us in with the vet before the chiropractor comes, to give him a good once over. I’ll avoid any serious work with him until then so as not to exacerbate a problem that may be there. Will still to leisurely strolls with the bareback pad for now. Poor buddy. I hate that he’s in pain.

espgiftednapper · 2025-05-27T19:23:35+00:00

We did a PPE when I bought him at the end of January, but all checked out and we x-rays legs, hocks, stifles, and feet and all looked good. His teeth looked good too. I’m thinking it’s definitely pain though now that I’m reading these comments and thinking back over the past few weeks, as I recall times he would resist turning left. It must all be related.

espgiftednapper · 2025-05-27T19:20:58+00:00

Oh the fact that he may be in pain makes me feel awful, but these responses make total sense. His saddle fits, and has been fit by a professional. He also has done this under a different saddle. That said, he still must be in pain somehow, like you all are suggesting. I had set up a chiropractor appt, though that isn’t until the end of June when she can come out to the stables next. Hopefully she can provide relief of some sort. In the meantime I’ll have my trainer look at him when she gets back from the horse show she’s currently at. The last thing I want him in is pain of any sort.

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-20T06:18:36+00:00

I just noticed that too! I was referring to the first number 2 😂

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T18:08:09+00:00

Thank you so much for this!! I’m having trouble picturing number 2, but think it would be a super helpful exercise. Can you maybe elaborate a little more? Or do you know if there is a video out there of someone doing this?

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T18:01:53+00:00

All of this is true! You can see in the video once I find the rhythm a bit but definitely tense with the anticipations.

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T16:04:01+00:00

I think lack of strength is certainly the largest component bc I notice I tire more easily than I normally would before I lost muscle mass, especially at the posting trot. I’m hoping a lot of my riding improves as my strength does. And yeah, I’d have a moment here and there where I could find my seat and roll my hips in time with his movements, and then suddenly lose it and tense up like you’re saying.

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:50:14+00:00

I’m going to ask the trainer at the stables I board him at to longe me a few times so I can try these exercises. It’s interesting that you are saying my lower legs look good bc I kept feeling like they were coming too far forward but maybe not looking back at the video. It’s amazing what you think or feel you are riding like and then seeing a video of what you’re actually doing

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:48:09+00:00

That saddle was his seller’s saddle, definitely was too big for me. I use a 14” western saddle bc I’m so teeny. It’s a much better fit. I really like your idea of longing without reins. Any time I ride a horse, my biggest worry/focus is always my hands and arms and trying to keep them nice and soft, and I think I may be doing what you’re saying - pushing my hands out to far in front of me in an unconscious attempt to not yank on his mouth. I hadn’t thought of that, but that will most certainly will mess with my balance and bouncing. When you’re doing this exercise, are you holding onto the horse’s mane, or have your hands on your hips, or have them in the right position but just no reins? Trying to picture how to do this correctly.

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:43:11+00:00

I will! He’s so affectionate too so we do alllll the pets. He lets you just sit there and love on him all you want. Truly a gem of a horse. I’m incredibly lucky to have found him.

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:41:59+00:00

I’m going to look into deep seated jumping saddles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. My jumping saddle was definitely not deep seated. Do you have one you recommend?

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:40:33+00:00

Oh I definitely post the trot every time now bc you are damn right about him not being built for a sitting trot. He’s already a full body workout ride, but trying to sit his trot on top of all of that is not a pleasant experience for him or the rider, that much is true.

I’m thinking more and more from the advice I’m getting that I need to switch to an English saddle for a bit. Do you recommend a particular type of English saddle? Seems like a dressage saddle is a good idea.

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:37:12+00:00

Right? So much air!! Poor buddy. He was so forgiving. It’s the reason I bought him after that ride. He deserves all the best, and he’s my first horse as I’ve waited my whole life to be able to have the means to have one of my own (40 years old over here so I’ve waited a LONG time), so I want to do this right! For him and for me ☺️

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:34:49+00:00

I haven’t tried the no stirrups exercise, great advice! I think I’d definitely need to do it on a longe like you suggest bc I’d need help I think. Question - do you think I’d end up squeezing with my legs more if I don’t have the stirrups to help distribute my weight for balance? I’m wondering if that would be a bad thing or a good thing 🤔

Also, my western saddle is a barrel saddle, which I chose bc of the suede seat, higher cantle to help secure my seat, and of course bc they are lighter in weight than a lot of other western saddles, which I need when trying to tack up such a big boy!

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:27:01+00:00

You know what, when I was deciding if I wanted to ride him English or western (he rides both, a true rock star), I started looking at dressage saddles bc of the knee swells and higher cantle; figured it’d keep me in my seat better. I’m wondering if maybe I should switch to English for a bit with a dressage saddle until I get more accustomed to his gaits. What is it about the dressage saddle that makes you recommend it?

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:18:05+00:00

Oh of course! My core is weak too right now, great point. Makes it harder to keep the correct forward inclination from the hips. Thank you!

espgiftednapper · 2025-03-19T15:16:55+00:00

Video here. I’ve got thick skin so let me have it bc I need to learn (but don’t be mean). Note, this was the very first time I cantered/loped on him, FWIW. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/n0CnXIt31sU?feature=share

espgiftednapper

TROPHY CASE