Jack Longfellow

Tel:+44 (0)7733 293326     E-mail: alison@sandfordtherapies.co.uk

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These e-mails have been published with Miranda's kind permission

Hiya,

I heard somewhere that you used to do readings and am not sure if you still do, I am 15 yrs old, my name is Miranda

I have attached a picture of one of my horses, Jack Longfellow, he is full thoroughbred and is 8 years old.

I look forward to hearing from you!

 Miranda

I tuned in to Jack to see what he wanted you to know.

He enjoys your company and says that you have fun together. I get the impression that maybe he doesn’t always give you his full respect because of your youth. He has got you “sussed” and knows when he can get away with some things; he plays on your weaknesses. He can be a bit excitable especially when jumping, he can get really fired up and career round the school fast and it gets you right off balance. I feel that you may have been advised to use a stronger bit while jumping and that you have hung on to his mouth to try to keep control. This feels to him like his jaw is breaking, the feeling of downward pressure is really quite overwhelming. It may be necessary to take a step back and address the situation through schooling rather than metalwork.

There is something going on in the right shoulder, which may be making him weaker on the right rein. I also picked up on an old issue on the inside of the left hock.

Hi Alison

I got jack when I was 11 yrs old, I hadn't ridden for over a year and he was green and strong, so he learnt very quickly that he could get away with a lot.

We used to have lessons at my old yard. I stopped because I really did not like the way they were teaching, however, my sister carried on with them and was told to keep his bit on the second ring on a bubble bit. I tried this a couple of times but refused to sue it as I could feel he wasn't comfortable. I stopped having lessons and really taught myself, Jack and I, or I like to think that Jack and I developed a bond. When I wanted him to slow down, I just had to think it...however, my sister was having more problems and so continued with the bit. She is also quite hard on her hands.

However, for nearly a year now he has been in a snaffle. I am quite light on my hands but maybe my sister is not and this is why he is still uncomfortable?

I have often wondered if I am letting Jack get away with too much...if I am free-schooling, he might just turn into me and won't go away. He gets all cuddly and looks sorry for himself and I am never sure if he is taking the "Mick" or if he is genuinely not up to it.

I am very glad Jack enjoys jumping...I want to show-jump when I am older, so this is very important to me. He has tanked it round the school and thrown a few people in his time just as you described though when jumping!

Jack suffers from sticking stifle in his hind left leg. So I'm thinking this is what you picked up on? I am not sure about the pain in his right shoulder. I will be having a feel for heat when I next go up.

I really appreciate you time in doing this, you made my day!

Thanks again!  

Miranda