7 months, 3 weeks we might be nearly there !

AdorableAlice

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Big boy has a big day today, scan at 4pm. Been box resting since 1st August 2011. Please keep all fingers crossed for him. To be fair he has coped really well. I have had enough and really hope the scan results will allow rehab to commence.
 
I feel for you and know some of what you have been through. Hope it all goes well today. My daughters horse was kicked in the field on 7th August last was v lame and after x rays were non conclusive was sent to Newmarket for a scan where a complex spiral fracture of his Tibia was found. 7 weeks later he was finally allowed to come home to a further 10 weeks box rest. He was then allowed to be walked in hand which at first was a nightmare and allowed supervised in a v small paddock for 15 mins a day.
Then came the frosts and snow so all that had to be stopped and he was imprisioned on box rest again. We started the in hand walking again end of Feb and my daughter hopes to start riding him again in a month as it will be easier than walkiing in a chifney.
I understand when you say you have had enough as it has been very hard at times but all worth it
 
Having been there with mine - on box rest from 1st October I know how you feel.

Good luck, have got everything crossed for you.
 
Scans completed and mainly good news thank goodness.

Still some disorganised fibres and a 1ml hole still to close, but the horse can start walking for 5 minutes a day with a handler each side and acp, the walking is to be increased gradually over a 6 week period and then he can be ridden in walk for another 6 weeks building up to an hour. Then another scan.

Just been told it was the worst inferior hind check ligament injury the vets had seen in years - they didn't tell me that back in August ! just as well really, I think knowing that would have made the endless box rest even worse for me.

As long as I can control the rehab the horse should be fine to enjoy the rest of his life as a hack. Thats fine my me, he owes us nothing as he has taken us mere pleasure riders to many championships and Hoys twice.

Now, who is offering to get their parachute out and get on him, he is only 17.2 and been locked up since last August, I will superglue you to the saddle and if you wish you can share his acp !!

Thank you all for your good wishes, I will keep you updated with our progress, and for those of you going through the same, there is light at the end of tunnel, good luck.
 
So glad you can start to progress, as you know I have been through the nightmare that is box rest and rehab,still feel traumatised but it sounds like your vet is better than mine in that we were just left with a complete nutter to try to walk, no suggestion of any sedative I eventually demanded potassium bromide and sedaline but no doubt further damage had already been done. I hope it all goes well.
 
Really pleased that you are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It's not easy sometimes is it and it sounds like you still have a long way to go but at least now you are on the journey there.

I'm afraid I won't be one of many volunteers to sit on him for you but wish you a calm, steady and chilled horse along the way.

Good luck to you both and keep us updated with the progress :)
 
I joined the forum back in October 2011 asking for help on my broken down horse and many people took an interest in his road to recovery from a severely damaged hind check ligament. I have learnt a lot from you all and want to say a huge thankyou, it has been very encouraging to read other people's experiences.

Eleven and a half months have now passed since he injured himself and in the last few weeks his rehabbing has been beset by many problems, sore feet, hocks and back. The ligament itself has become tight and his gait has altered causing pain elsewhere. The box rest has been an emotional rollercoaster for me, the horse coped so well, he remained sweet tempered throughout regardless of what was happening around him. His final scan was done yesterday and very sadly the scarring within the ligament has split in several places during the rehab walking. I am not going to admit how I feel, I have to do what is best for the big boy and he has now been retired with the hope that being turned out in a tiny paddock for a while will enable him to heal enough to be maintained painfree properly turned out for the rest of his life. The vets are concerned he may break down again, but more box rest is not an option with his other issues and his turnout will have to be very carefully staged.

He owes me nothing, I owe him everything and all that is possible will be done to make his retirement a success. I am proud of this wonderful horse, here are a few pictures of him. Over his competitive years he won over 100 classes, he had 156 starts and was in the top 3 on 136 occassions. He won many championships and I turned down a substantial offer from a professional showman which I have never regretted, despite knowing with a pro he would have been top 3 at Hoy's instead of the two 7th's he had with us. I so hope I can give him the happy and comfortable retirement he has earned.

Thank you for all the support.
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He is totally stunning.

As conventional treatment hasn't helped (and without jumping down my throat)....would it be worth having a chat with Nic at Rockley to see if she thinks she can help?

I assure you, she wouldn't mislead about whether she could offer any help and a chat is free?

Either way, he is lucky to have an owner who was there for him from the beginning and who is committed to him till the end.
 
He is totally stunning.

As conventional treatment hasn't helped (and without jumping down my throat)....would it be worth having a chat with Nic at Rockley to see if she thinks she can help?

I assure you, she wouldn't mislead about whether she could offer any help and a chat is free?

Either way, he is lucky to have an owner who was there for him from the beginning and who is committed to him till the end.

Thank you so much, I would jump at the opportunity to speak to anyone who has dealt with this type of injury. Can you let me have the phone number/email. thank you.
 
I'm so very sorry AA, I know how much your boy means to you.
FWIW I would let nature take over and repair him in his own time without further intervention from you apart from maybe pain relief at the start. I've known many horses repair better if they are left alone to let time and Dr Green work when intervention hasn't. THE ONLY THING i WOULD BE WARY OF IS GIVING TOO MUCH PAIN RELIEF SO THAT HE FORGETS HIMSELF AND CHARGES ABOUT; SOMETIMES IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT THEY DO FEEL THEIR INJURY THEY TAKE MORE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND ONLY DO WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF.

Very sorry, didn't mean to shout, cap's lock got knocked on, it's a new keyboard and a bit more squashed up than I'm used to!
 
I'm so very sorry AA, I know how much your boy means to you.
FWIW I would let nature take over and repair him in his own time without further intervention from you apart from maybe pain relief at the start. I've known many horses repair better if they are left alone to let time and Dr Green work when intervention hasn't. THE ONLY THING i WOULD BE WARY OF IS GIVING TOO MUCH PAIN RELIEF SO THAT HE FORGETS HIMSELF AND CHARGES ABOUT; SOMETIMES IF YOU LEAVE IT THAT THEY DO FEEL THEIR INJURY THEY TAKE MORE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND ONLY DO WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF.

Very sorry, didn't mean to shout, cap's lock got knocked on, it's a new keyboard and a bit more squashed up than I'm used to!

Thank you, exactly what the vets said, I am relieved they did not want to carry on with barn rest. We have got a lean to that runs along the cattleshed which opens into the nursery paddock, he will be going in there still very restricted but he will be able to pick grass and gradually the area will be increased. Nothing can be done at the minute, because after yesterdays rain it is a case of pick the swimming pool rather than pick a paddock for turnout. Vets don't want him pulling the leg out of heavy ground.

Pain relief will be kept to a minimum, he is having one bute a day at the moment and I think it could go to half a day. On the positive side Maesfen, the Archie filly got the all clear yesterday and went out this morning for a paddle. Ted is fully equipped with waterwings and a rubber ring and is floating with the cows.
 
Beautiful horse and how wonderful he has an owner that appreciates him so much, I wish you both the very best and I hope his rest will either mend him or give him a wonderful and happy retirement. Just by looking at his pictures I can completely understand why you still want to enjoy his company, he looks a very sweet person to be around and is very lucky to have you.
 
Thank you for such kind words, it is lovely you all like him, these pictures were taken this evening and will be used to keep a record of his condition as time goes by. You are able to see the problem, have a close look at the nr hind, the ligament has shortened and prevents the heel dropping.

I am sure you can see why pts is not an option I can consider at the moment, this horse has been stood in for 50 weeks, his top has improved a little and he is in excellent health generally.
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What a beautiful horse and he is so lucky to be owned by you. I hope something beneficial will come of your conversation with Rockley Farm. Best of luck to you both!
 
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