A Very Hard Decision...

I came to a conclusion about Punkin Saturday... It has been coming for a few weeks now. I will be returning Punkin to the Grace Foundation- regetably.
As written previously Punkin suffers from a behavior called cribbing. The cribbing causes ulcers- or visa versa- which came first? When I picked Punkin up from the Grace Foundation Rescue I immediately noticed she had a watery manure- an indicator of serious problems. This has continued over the course of time since I have had her with some improvement intermittantly. But the cribbing has only continued, worsening with any demands put on her for training. Punkin is kept in a 20 x 30 paddock with a stall... this is not to her liking. She clearly needs pasture but that is not something I have open for her at this time.
Punkin's training has gone remarkably well. She is a very sweet horse, personable and cuddly. She really tries to please and does everything asked of her. She is very smart and figures things out almost immediately. A trainer's dream! She has been on trail rides and has been to a show... just goes right along with the program no matter what it is without displaying any kind of an opinion about anything. Just a pleasure to ride and be with... BUT! When her ulcers act up she is NOT a happy camper. She hurts. Saturday she helped me understand this.
I have had her on ulcerguard and probiotics and herbs to help her heal. Her manure was looking satisfactory- "cow pie stage" to formed "apples" - which is an improvement. I decided to work her. At first she seemed fine and we went through the exercises... but then she hit a point where I guess she just couldn't take it any more and she exploded. She became a full on bucking bronc- I mean head between her knees completely arched and full kicks out! I have riden some "broncs" in my day... but Punkin? She takes the prize! THE worst bronc I have ever sat. Once she stopped and I got off and examined her, I realized she was in distress from pain. I could see her sides cramping and hear girgles in her abdomen. Boy did I feel bad! She hadn't given me any signs of discomfort prior to getting on her...
As I thought back over the episode I have to admit I was a bit shaken. I literally had no control. Disengaging didn't work. And there just simply wasn't time to try a whole lot of things... it all happened in a flash. In analyzing it all I have some insights to offer those of you who struggle with this kind of behavior. First of all don't ride a horse that bucks and broncs! NEVER get on a horse that has the potential of ending your life. I don't care how tough you are. There are reasons why a horse will bronc and buck and until you figure those things out you best stay off. In Punkin's case I know she has an ulcer problem and I am familiar with her work ethic- willingness and cooperative and a resistence to spooking (in other words she has a good mind)- so I knew her situation was brought about by pain. Most of these broncing-bucking situations are borne of pain. Bucking is generally caused by three things- either pain or fear or incomplete training. Figuring out what the problem is, is a process of elimination. There is a pressure points examination you can do that will indicate problem areas on your horse. Often times it is the saddle fit that is the culprit. Sometimes it is remnants of a previous accident- tendon problems, muscle damage or maybe even fractured bones in the spine. If you have a bronc I would reccomend getting a vet out to examine your horse- and preferably a vet familiar with acupuncture that understands the pressure points and what they corelate to in your horse's anatomy. (i.e.- digestive, liver, spine, fetlocks, etc.)
For future "awareness" as to what to do if you should find yourself in a bucking situation: Realize you have two choices- bail or ride it out- actually three choices- ride it out if you can and bail if you can't. I chose the later but ended up not having to bail at the last minute. Taking my feet out of the stirups told Punkin I was getting off and she stopped. I told you she was smart! Not mean. If you decide to stick it out you better get that hind quarters disengaged immediately. In Punkin's case I couldn't get it disengaged. Which was an awful feeling- I basically had no control and she was in a complete pain-panic mode. When she began to rear is when I made the decison to bail and kicked my feet free- because if she went over I could have broken my back or neck or worse - died. I was calculating my departure when she came to a complete halt on her own. Everyone should know how to do an emergency dismount. My first trainer I ever had was Lise Von Uhlit- and that was the first thing she taught me to do. Know how to get off safely. In any event- sticking it out or bailing- both options are hazardess to your health so as I said before- never get on a horse that you don't feel safe on. And always wear a helmet!!!
I had been struggling with whether or not to return Punkin. Prayerfully considering all things I had decided to try to continue with trying to improve Punkin's health condition and to train her. Saturday's episode showed me this case is worse than I realized and I am simply not able to provide, nor afford, the specialized care she is in need of. The ulcerguard alone costs $50.00 for a four day supply... The Grace Foundation is better able to provide for long term care for her as my care was only to be through June. They have an on site vet and pasture. There is no reason to continue to postpone the envitable. Punkin will have all she needs at the Grace Foundation and I feel good about the gift of training I have given to her. She now can exist in the human realm where previously you couldn't get near to her. I am confident she will have a good life- I satisfied I have done my work well.
I am disapointed that her health is problematic for her. There is no telling how damaged her body truly is- Who knows what her past existence has been- If she were kept on a pasture where the only thing to eat was star thistle for example she could very well have severe scarring in her liver. (She was found in a starvation state...) That alone could cause her to continue to have serious health issues for the rest of her life. It is such a shame to me that such a wonderfully minded horse would be ruined in that way... and all the more reason to educate people... Punkin will serve me as my motivation for what I do- which is to educate others. This has broken my heart- I really, really liked this horse!
I encourage those of you reading this to consider taking my Total Horsemanship Study Course classes. I teach about things such as this and all things encompassing horses- I make it extremely affordable at only $10.00 per class. To learn more about educational opportunities that I offer, I invite you to visit my web site at: www.christapetrillotraining.com or email me at: christapetrillo@hotmail.com.

More to come about Hubble... Stay tuned... :-) Take a look at the before and after photos further below...