Kali's recovery diary (I hope)

_GG_ said:
YAY!!! That is fab chick :)
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Yes, very pleased. Now if we can just get the stars to align and his feet rehab at roughly the same pace as his leg AND keep him sound, I'll be REALLY happy. For now, I'll take the progress we have . . . :)

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Rather footy on his walk out this morning - I put it down to him just being trimmed . . . however, when I picked his feet out afterwards found several small-ish pieces of grit embedded in three of his feet!!!!! He was in the front paddock yesterday and will have picked them up from the gravel walkway to the walker which sheds bits into the grass in the paddock . . . I didn't bring him in last night so his feet didn't get picked out (not that the person who brought him in would have noticed the grit/gravel had she looked at his feet) . . . and Z was so early that I didn't pick his feet out this morning before she rode him :(.

I feel like a terrible owner :(. In other news, he was an ANGEL. Z is competing tomorrow (her sisters baby horse and one of the horses she rides for her employer), so I will be walking him in pads. Oh, and the Silvetrasol arrived and has been applied.

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He is a teensy bit footy, but nothing we didn't expect . . . wanted to trot at the beginning of the week, but we're not doing that until next week. His feet feel like they are hardening up nicely . . . I do have to be vigilant about little bits of grit and gravel getting embedded, but the Silvetrasol seems to be doing its work with the frogs/soles/thrush.

In other news, he has stopped pacing in the field (hurrah) and is very settled in his new routine of being out in the field longer (which is much better for his feet).

Oh, and he didn't have a hissy fit when Z was walking him this morning and the Red Arrows went over on their way to Farnborough - clever boy!

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PolarSkye said:
He is a teensy bit footy, but nothing we didn't expect . . . wanted to trot at the beginning of the week, but we're not doing that until next week. His feet feel like they are hardening up nicely . . . I do have to be vigilant about little bits of grit and gravel getting embedded, but the Silvetrasol seems to be doing its work with the frogs/soles/thrush.

In other news, he has stopped pacing in the field (hurrah) and is very settled in his new routine of being out in the field longer (which is much better for his feet).

Oh, and he didn't have a hissy fit when Z was walking him this morning and the Red Arrows went over on their way to Farnborough - clever boy!

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Bless him. All going in the right direction then, that's fab :)
 
_GG_ said:
Bless him. All going in the right direction then, that's fab :)
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Yes . . . next "heart in mouth" moment will be when he trots for the first time under saddle - not so much because I'm worried he's not mended, but because keeping him in trot for only a few strides, rather than the whole length of the flipping drive, may be a challenge!

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PolarSkye said:
Yes . . . next "heart in mouth" moment will be when he trots for the first time under saddle - not so much because I'm worried he's not mended, but because keeping him in trot for only a few strides, rather than the whole length of the flipping drive, may be a challenge!

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I don't envy you that one, lol :)
 
The Other Leg

Not great news I'm afraid.

All was going well . . . he was sound in the field and fine in walk. Z started trot work on Monday and he wasn't quite right. We thought he was foot sore. Same again Tuesday. Spoke to my trimmer who told me to calm down, but trot him up/lunge him to rule out anything niggling in that leg. Gave him Wednesday off . . . yesterday Z came up and we lunged him in the school. Lame. Worse on the right rein. I gave his dodgy leg a poke and there was no reaction so thought it might still be his feet. This morning, while picking out his feet, I investigated both suspensories (how my vet showed me) . . . no reaction from his right leg (the injured leg), but now he is very reactive on his left fore - which would fit with being worse on the right rein when the left leg is to the outside.

Sigh.

So . . . rang my vet this morning and he's coming back out on Wednesday to do another lameness workup. If we even suspect a suspensory injury in his left fore, I won't have him re-scan it, but will find suitable grass livery and turn him away for a year. If he comes sound, fantastic. If he doesn't, I will have him PTS.

I am now in two minds as to whether to leave his shoes off, or put them back on . . . but am parking any decisions until I have spoken to my vet on Wednesday.

Not going to lie . . . I could use some hugs right now. Gutted doesn't cover it. I love the bones of him - and I can't begin to contemplate life without him . . . he is everywhere . . . on my walls, in my garage, all over my flipping house, but most of all buried deep in my brain and my heart . . . my life really does revolve around him . . . when he comes in/goes out, what he wears, what he eats, is he happy, is he settled, etc. Just like all of you and your horses.

Very sad and defeated.

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Polarskye my heart is breaking for u. Ur love for him shines through on every thread and I hope with all hope that u get good news from the vet and that if it's rest he needs, rest sorts him. U couldn't have done more for him and u deserve for him go come right, so does he. Fingers tightly crossed for u. Hugs and vibes
 
Oh you you poor poor thing. I want to get in the car and come and give you a huge hug. You must be feeling so all over the place.

Please promise me one thing...don't think about what happens at the end of a year off if that's what he needs. You can cross that bridge if and when you come to it so please don't torture yourself with those thoughts for now.

I'll be praying for a positive vet visit on Wednesday and if you need some moral support, just let me know and I'll be there as admin day on Wednesday.

I know it's hard, but try not to think the worst.

Huge vibes being sent for Kal and huge hugs for you xxx
 
If that's any consolation giving him a year off might be the best thing you do for him. My mare is just back in light work after about a year off due to me having a baby and she is better than ever, has matured both physically and mentally (is 12 now so wasn't a youngster either). Her canter work particularly has come up in leap and bounds (pun intended :) lots of added bouncyness).
She has been barefoot 4 years as well and her feet are better and better every year. She was lame when I bought her and weak through her topline.
 
Oh I'm so sorry. ((hug))

It's your decision but if he is being turned away for a year I would leave the shoes off to allow the hooves to sort themselves out.
 
googol said:
Polarskye my heart is breaking for u. Ur love for him shines through on every thread and I hope with all hope that u get good news from the vet and that if it's rest he needs, rest sorts him. U couldn't have done more for him and u deserve for him go come right, so does he. Fingers tightly crossed for u. Hugs and vibes
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Thank you. Pretty sure vet is going to confirm what I suspect, but we'll see. Going to try and put this to the back of my mind until vet has been - and then figure out a plan. If he does need turning away, we won't stay at current yard so the search will begin for appropriate grass livery - I have already had offers from two lovely friends but both of them are quite a distance away and I still want to be able to see him every day - but who knows.

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Palindrome said:
If that's any consolation giving him a year off might be the best thing you do for him. My mare is just back in light work after about a year off due to me having a baby and she is better than ever, has matured both physically and mentally (is 12 now so wasn't a youngster either). Her canter work particularly has come up in leap and bounds (pun intended :) lots of added bouncyness).
She has been barefoot 4 years as well and her feet are better and better every year. She was lame when I bought her and weak through her topline.
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Thanks for this - always nice to hear positive stories - and congrats on your baby.

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_GG_ said:
Oh you you poor poor thing. I want to get in the car and come and give you a huge hug. You must be feeling so all over the place.

Please promise me one thing...don't think about what happens at the end of a year off if that's what he needs. You can cross that bridge if and when you come to it so please don't torture yourself with those thoughts for now.

I'll be praying for a positive vet visit on Wednesday and if you need some moral support, just let me know and I'll be there as admin day on Wednesday.

I know it's hard, but try not to think the worst.

Huge vibes being sent for Kal and huge hugs for you xxx
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You are so kind - thank you very much. Hugs and vibes most welcome. Z and another dear friend are both going to be with us for the vet visit, so I'll have lots of support, but if I'd have been alone I'd have snapped up your lovely offer.

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Sorry to hear this when he was doing so well. Fingers x for Weds & remember our yard as grass livery spaces & for what its worth all the ones who have come & retired through injury are all sound & happy as larry x
 
PolarSkye said:
You are so kind - thank you very much. Hugs and vibes most welcome. Z and another dear friend are both going to be with us for the vet visit, so I'll have lots of support, but if I'd have been alone I'd have snapped up your lovely offer.

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Good, it's horrible to be alone for things like this.

Do try and remain positive though. I also agree that if he needs a year off to take the shoes off...could be the best thing for him. xxx
 
I'm so sorry that he's lame again. It had looked so positive up til then. :(

I'm another who would try field rest. As long as he's happy and comfortable enough to turn out full time, it's worth trying.
 
Faracat said:
I'm so sorry that he's lame again. It had looked so positive up til then. :(

I'm another who would try field rest. As long as he's happy and comfortable enough to turn out full time, it's worth trying.
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He is definitely comfortable enough to be turned away - he's sound in walk (on the right surfaces). It's just so disappointing that this is the OTHER flipping foreleg. Ho hum. That's horses for you.

Meanwhile, I need to find somewhere to put him - not paying current yard prices if I'm not using the facilities. It's a shame, because I love where we are - but it's just not set up for what I need to do with him now :(.

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_GG_ said:
Good, it's horrible to be alone for things like this.

Do try and remain positive though. I also agree that if he needs a year off to take the shoes off...could be the best thing for him. xxx
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I am trying very hard to stay positive . . . but it is hard. Shoes are already off . . . really leaning towards leaving them off and just working with my lovely BF trimmer.

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merlinsquest said:
Sorry to hear this when he was doing so well. Fingers x for Weds & remember our yard as grass livery spaces & for what its worth all the ones who have come & retired through injury are all sound & happy as larry x
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Thank you for your good wishes. Where is your yard?

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PolarSkye said:
I am trying very hard to stay positive . . . but it is hard. Shoes are already off . . . really leaning towards leaving them off and just working with my lovely BF trimmer.

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I know it is, but worry doesn't accomplish anything, he needs his mum to be optimistic, at least in front of him. I'm going to look at a couple of private yards over the nest few weeks, so if one fits the bill, he could possibly come to me to be turned away but I won't know for a few weeks yet. There are lots of options open to you and no need to make any decisions just yet.

Big hugs xxx
 
_GG_ said:
I know it is, but worry doesn't accomplish anything, he needs his mum to be optimistic, at least in front of him. I'm going to look at a couple of private yards over the nest few weeks, so if one fits the bill, he could possibly come to me to be turned away but I won't know for a few weeks yet. There are lots of options open to you and no need to make any decisions just yet.

Big hugs xxx
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Oh he gets the best of me all the time - he deserves it. Haven't seen him today - had to go in to London and I really miss him - but he'll get mega cuddles tomorrow.

Honestly, I am blown away by your offer . . . and all the other offers I have had from HHO'ers (people I've never met!) and friends in real life . . . it is really humbling to receive such kindness. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart - to you and everyone else who has PM'd me here and on FB to show support, offer help, etc. I can't tell you what it means - but my heart is full of gratitude.

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I feel like I just need to take a breath and thank the amazing number of people on here and on FB and in RL who have followed our journey and offered their support and encouragement - either in words or in real, concrete offers of help. Those who say HHO has become a cynical, mean place should read the words of encouragement and offers of real, actual help I have received . . . it makes an enormous difference . . . I've had wonderful advice and ideas about how to keep a hot, stressy horse calm on box rest, encouraging/positive anecdotes of horses with his injury who have come sound, fantastic advice and support on how to rehab a horse barefoot, offers of livery, offers of cups of tea, kindness, love (yes, love), distraction, companion horses (that one blew me away) . . . there are simply too many random acts of real friendship and kindness to list - but I honestly appreciate each and every one of them and am humbled by them all. You lot rock - and HHO isn't the dark, cynical, nasty place some believe it to be.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart . . .

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