I can’t believe I am writing this.
I have some sad news to reveal to you all. I had planned to make a vlog to explain everything, but to be honest I cannot face it. I kept putting if off so you guys will have to just read it.
I have come to the very difficult decision to retire River from ridden work at 6 years old. Over the last year we became aware of some shoeing/ foot issues stemming from her 'flat feet' (mildly negative pedal bone angle). This is really the beginning of it all. I noticed sometimes she would take an un-level
step under saddle. Although with some help from the farrier this improved and I continued to work her carefully. About 3 months ago she bumped her left knee somehow, but after a few weeks this was better. I then noticed a slight intermittent right fore lameness under saddle after the left knee had healed. I was worried it was her feet being sore again so she went to the vet. This time after nerve blocks she did not block sound to the feet, which she previously had. This really worried me. After more investigation she blocked sound to the suspensory region. After further scans the vet revealed she had abnormal suspensory pattern in both ligaments. The vet thinks she probably had this issue for a long time, and because it was bi-lateral (on both front legs) and she never showed any symptoms, it was almost impossible to detect! She always loved her work and was willing. We also discovered mild changes in both navicular bones, which is not uncommon in experienced jumping horses. However, River is not an established jumping horse, she has done very little work compared to most 6 year olds. The vets (and myself) feel she is best suited to a life with low level work loads. She would most likely be very difficult to keep sound if pushed to do higher level competitions. So for this reason combined with the suspensory issues, I have decided it is in her best interest to retire from ridden work. My goals for her were not low level, I had hoped one day she would be my 1.30m plus horse. I do not think it is fair to push her when we already see signs her body would not cope with harder work in the future.
So you may ask, but what now? I do not wish to sell her, (especially in Dubai) to some one wishing to do low level work. I would be worried someone would see her talent and push her and her body too hard and she would end up broken. I have decided to keep her. I cannot bear to sell her. I cannot describe how much I love this horse. She has been a pleasure to work with and I really feel such a connection with her. I have owned her since she was a rising 3 year old, and broken and produced her myself. So River in the coming months with retire to holland to a my friends beautiful breeding stables, where she can live a happy and natural life. River will hopefully have a foal next year! She will have her own genetic foal first, and depending how that goes she may continue to have her own foals or instead will have foals via embryo transfer; meaning I plan to buy quality eggs and semen from other proven and sound show jumping horses. This way, with this plan, I can ensure River lives a good quality life and she can still have a purpose. Meaning years down the line I can produce some of her own foals myself and hopefully have talented horses for the future for myself! I am sad and happy in some ways at the same time, although I am sad she will not be the show jumping horse I had a planned her to be, I am happy she will still be my horse for the rest of her life. I am excited about the prospect of visiting her in holland and seeing her become a mother. I know she will be an excellent mother. In the future when I eventually move back to Ireland from Dubai, I would plan to take River home where she can live with Boo. This is of of course many many years away, and she will remain in Holland with my friend until that stage.. but its an exciting prospect.
Please enjoy this video I made in tribute to my wonderful mare River Dancer.
I love you River.
Just because it is the end, doesn’t mean it is over.
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Thank you for watching
Lauren
18 сен 2024
