PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
Well it seems we've gotten into a routine now . . . he isn't thrilled about being in but the sedalin is helping and as long as he has something to munch on he's grudgingly accepting . . . I did hear him grind his teeth for the first time in ages today though - always a sign that he's truly fed up.
I'm trying really hard to break up his day so that he has plenty to "do" whether that's helping me muck out (he likes to investigate the contents of the barrow, breathe down my neck, eat the wheelbarrow handles - you get the picture), playing with his treat ball (including chucking it out of the stable when he's finished with it), getting a new haynet or just having a cuddle/groom/scratch - I'm up at the yard at least three times a day, sometimes four and I spend as much time as I can with him.
I'm finding that if I do a really big muck out in the morning, a skip out midday'ish and then a really thorough skip/mini muck before I leave him that his bed isn't actually too bad. I also give him fresh straw morning and evening to keep it deep and soft. He loves the goose grass and nettles, especially if I mix them in with his speedibeet (which he also loves), but he still isn't too enamoured of the soaked hay - and I don't blame him. He isn't drinking much, but he is getting alot of liquid from both the soaked hay and the SB so I'm not too worried.
His pulses were better this evening and, interestingly, his back legs aren't filling but that may be the bute/lack of grass.
I am loving spending all the time with him . . . and it's great that he's naturally a cuddly, affectionate horse - makes spending the time with him even more rewarding - it's just nice to be in his company. He is also very, very vocal and I can't set foot on the yard or near his stable without him calling to me . . . even if he's seen me not 10 minutes before . . . it's lovely, but he has the most girly neigh ever - very high pitched and effete (bless him). He's camp as a row of tents.
I am, though, going to make an appointment for Mark (vet) to x-ray him whether there's an improvement or not . . . insurance will cover it and I really want to rule lami/navicular, etc. in or out. We are treating him as though he has lami, but it does strike me that it's still possible it's navicular or some other problem in the foot. He's been coming out a little pottery in front and working through it for a while - I'd have thought lami would have caused proper lameness more quickly. I've always felt that navicular was a possibility in his future - his upright, boxy feet and his previous work history are good markers. I'm still not willing to rule it out so want some evidence.
And, yes, I know that we'll only catch navicular with an MRI . . . but the x-ray will tell us whether he has laminitis (and where his pedal bone is - which is also a worry).
Thank you all for coming on this journey with us . . . I am very worried about my beautiful horse and it's amazing how much help and support all your comments and advice bring.
P
I'm trying really hard to break up his day so that he has plenty to "do" whether that's helping me muck out (he likes to investigate the contents of the barrow, breathe down my neck, eat the wheelbarrow handles - you get the picture), playing with his treat ball (including chucking it out of the stable when he's finished with it), getting a new haynet or just having a cuddle/groom/scratch - I'm up at the yard at least three times a day, sometimes four and I spend as much time as I can with him.
I'm finding that if I do a really big muck out in the morning, a skip out midday'ish and then a really thorough skip/mini muck before I leave him that his bed isn't actually too bad. I also give him fresh straw morning and evening to keep it deep and soft. He loves the goose grass and nettles, especially if I mix them in with his speedibeet (which he also loves), but he still isn't too enamoured of the soaked hay - and I don't blame him. He isn't drinking much, but he is getting alot of liquid from both the soaked hay and the SB so I'm not too worried.
His pulses were better this evening and, interestingly, his back legs aren't filling but that may be the bute/lack of grass.
I am loving spending all the time with him . . . and it's great that he's naturally a cuddly, affectionate horse - makes spending the time with him even more rewarding - it's just nice to be in his company. He is also very, very vocal and I can't set foot on the yard or near his stable without him calling to me . . . even if he's seen me not 10 minutes before . . . it's lovely, but he has the most girly neigh ever - very high pitched and effete (bless him). He's camp as a row of tents.
I am, though, going to make an appointment for Mark (vet) to x-ray him whether there's an improvement or not . . . insurance will cover it and I really want to rule lami/navicular, etc. in or out. We are treating him as though he has lami, but it does strike me that it's still possible it's navicular or some other problem in the foot. He's been coming out a little pottery in front and working through it for a while - I'd have thought lami would have caused proper lameness more quickly. I've always felt that navicular was a possibility in his future - his upright, boxy feet and his previous work history are good markers. I'm still not willing to rule it out so want some evidence.
And, yes, I know that we'll only catch navicular with an MRI . . . but the x-ray will tell us whether he has laminitis (and where his pedal bone is - which is also a worry).
Thank you all for coming on this journey with us . . . I am very worried about my beautiful horse and it's amazing how much help and support all your comments and advice bring.
P
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They thought she might have to go in a cast as it kept breaking down, but at last we turned the corner and she back out with the Mob charging about like a looney like nothing had happened 
They told me everything that could go wrong and I thought the worst, so its easy to tell other people to try and stay positive, but very hard when its you