Anke Hawke Riding Georgie Girl
It has been a fascinating journey for me to see the changes in my beautiful mare Georgie Girl over the years.
As some of you might know, I sometimes refer to her as my “Little Black Dragon”… and she continues to challenge and delight me.
My beautiful mare has been very clear in voicing her opinion. In the past, she struggled to keep her balance.
The loss of balance and being uncomfortable started to show the more advanced the movements became.
Georgie had a restriction due to an old injury on her back. A scar right at the end of her saddle, and little did I know when I bought her, this would cause her not to lift her back and avoid stretching in this particular area.
Working through the stages of our development together, she had problems breathing while keeping a healthy frame. When Georgie then took a breath, it was sometimes so forceful that she lost balance. And me as the rider ended up toppling forward, crashing into her withers and she would fall behind the shoulder blades and overload the front legs. Roller coaster ride complete!
Georgie would also fall out of canter, which was then followed by a distinct flick in her left front leg. Later, I learnt this was nerve damage.
Through meticulous and patient release and strengthening training, we bravely went back to basics for a period of time.
Trusting in classical training, we had a successful rehabilitation and a healthy, happy horse that is happy to work. Even Georgies breathing has improved, the dragon breath has started to disappear, and we have lots of content snorting and relaxed breathing in rhythm happening.
Sometimes I still wonder who teaches who, as she always seems to be one step ahead of me, so, therefore, I go on a journey to find the right answers or to play catch up.
If your horse has any soundness issues or you would like to have a better understanding of how your horse could move to in a more sustainable posture, and alignment, to continue their working life, the whole horse spirit will lift and starts to shine through.
– Please call me on 0408 882 730