Kali's recovery diary (I hope)

almostthere said:
Don't be silly - you have enough to think about rather than apologising :). Trouble is for every positive experience, someone on internet will have 10 negative :(. One thing I have learnt (and I know you already know this) is that all we can do is surround ourselves with the best professionals (vets, farriers, physios, trainers etc) that we know AND trust, get their respective views, add into the mix that we really do KNOW our horses better than anyone else and then trust yourself to make the best decision. There is no "right" decision in these situations. Good luck!
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Thank you - I needed that reminder :).

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Leg_end said:
So sorry to hear you are having some more issues :(

BF has had a fair amount of success treating DDFT and CL injuries (as most navicular horses have some soft tissue damage as this usually occurs before the bone changes). If you haven't already it may be worth doing a search on the Rockley Blog for some success stories.
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I have done TONS of research about BF and its role in rehabbing/supporting horses with DDFT and CL injuries. Unfortunately, my insurance company won't cover sending him to Rockley so that's out - but I do have a wonderful BF trimmer and access to multiple surfaces, etc. His navicular diagnosis was two years ago - he's been sound since (in bar shoes) - took his shoes off simply because I (and his vet) didn't feel bar shoes would do his recovering suspensory any favours.

One other thing to consider is that he was incredibly wonky without his shoes and his feet and body will be rebalancing to deal with this change which could be making him sore elsewhere. Has he been seen by a physio or had neck, shoulders, back looked at?
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This is absolutely something we had considered and I was on the point of getting a physio out when he went lame (and no physio worth their salt will touch him now because he is lame). Vet did take a good look at his neck and shoulders when he saw him on Wednesday and feels that although he obviously holds himself UP in front because he is guarding his (relatively newly unshod) feet, his lateral motion is still very good - he bends round himself better than horses half his age. When my vet comes back out next week to x-ray him, I will ask him whether he'd be willing to refer him to my physio just to give him some relief.

My only advice would be to go with your gut on this. My vet told me to prepare for the worst when I sent B to Rockley and didn't believe it would work. My gut was screaming at me that it was the right thing to do and I was right. He's since referred five other horses down there and recommend it as a first option for anyone with an open mind who is willing to put the work in.
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Thanks - I can't send him to Rockley (see above), but now that the dust has settled a little and I'm starting to get my head round the latest diagnoses, I need to speak to my trimmer and get her out to see him move.

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PolarSkye said:
Thanks - I can't send him to Rockley (see above), but now that the dust has settled a little and I'm starting to get my head round the latest diagnoses, I need to speak to my trimmer and get her out to see him move.

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havent read the whole thread, but out of interest, which insurance company are you with? People who have sent their horse's to rockley and had insurance companies refuse to pay have taken them to the insurance ombusmen and had positive rulings, which all insurance companies should now abide by. if the rockley route is one you are wanting to take, its worth giving Nic a ring as i'm sure she'll be able to provide you with more details/letters etc that you can use to tell your insurance company to behave themselves!
 
dreams579 said:
havent read the whole thread, but out of interest, which insurance company are you with? People who have sent their horse's to rockley and had insurance companies refuse to pay have taken them to the insurance ombusmen and had positive rulings, which all insurance companies should now abide by. if the rockley route is one you are wanting to take, its worth giving Nic a ring as i'm sure she'll be able to provide you with more details/letters etc that you can use to tell your insurance company to behave themselves!
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E&L - enough said really!

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Sorry guys . . . sort of fell off the face of the planet for a while there - a lot to take in wrt to Pops and also busy with family stuff.

So.

Vet is coming tomorrow afternoon to x-ray his feet. In the meantime, he is happy enough in himself - sound enough in the field, although there is heat in his right fore (no digital pulse though). I'm trying to get my trimmer out because they need doing.

I am very torn about what to do - but the bottom line is that there isn't really a decision to be made until we look at those x-rays.

I really, really trust my vet - he is extremely knowledgeable and thorough - not to mention kind and open-minded . . . so I just need to be patient for a little while longer and take it from there - not easy though :(.

In other news, my wonderful dressage trainer (and friend - she's a friend first) has bought us a photo shoot for my birthday . . . I had mentioned that I wanted to do it just in case we have to make "that" decision and (lovely, thoughtful person that she is) she went ahead and paid for it - I just have to book the photographer. If the news tomorrow is encouraging, then we'll still have pretty pictures - if it's not, then I'll have some beautiful pictures of my magical silver boy to remember him by.

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dreams579 said:
that does say a lot! but they still have to pay out for it as the decision was binding for all insurance companies as far as I understand. Its definitely worth talking to Nic and perusing if its a route you want to take :)
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Good to know - and, depending on what the x-rays reveal tomorrow, I may be doing just that . . . (won't hold my breath though - I've been around the block and then some with E&L).

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PolarSkye said:
Good to know - and, depending on what the x-rays reveal tomorrow, I may be doing just that . . . (won't hold my breath though - I've been around the block and then some with E&L).

P
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Fingers crossed for X-rays! And if they aren't the result you were hoping for, do speak to Nic and I'm sure she will be able to give you more info about fighting e&l
 
Not great. Vet is (in his own words) disappointed. We are definitely looking at further navicular changes. I have some decisions to make. Vet wants me to put shoes back on, bute him and work him and see what happens. I just want to turn back time. I've managed to hold back the tears so far . . . but I know my vet isn't particularly hopeful which is just making me think this might really be it.

Gutted doesn't even cover it.

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PolarSkye said:
Not great. Vet is (in his own words) disappointed. We are definitely looking at further navicular changes. I have some decisions to make. Vet wants me to put shoes back on, bute him and work him and see what happens. I just want to turn back time. I've managed to hold back the tears so far . . . but I know my vet isn't particularly hopeful which is just making me think this might really be it.

Gutted doesn't even cover it.

P
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Awww, I just want to come and give you a big hug. Listen, you have options and do please follow the advice in the post above about fighting E&L and if he needs to come to me for the winter to be turned away or to anyone else that has offered, that is another option. It really is not the end of the road in terms of trying things yet so please, please don't feel like it is.

Sending lots of love and hugs xxx
 
I'm so sorry I've been following this thread and I have no words of wisdom but just wanted to say thinking of you both. If he could be sound and turned away it may be an option to give him another chance but you know your boy and I'm sure whichever decision you make will be the right one for him
 
_GG_ said:
Awww, I just want to come and give you a big hug. Listen, you have options and do please follow the advice in the post above about fighting E&L and if he needs to come to me for the winter to be turned away or to anyone else that has offered, that is another option. It really is not the end of the road in terms of trying things yet so please, please don't feel like it is.

Sending lots of love and hugs xxx
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^ ^ This! xx
 
Forgive me, I am not feeling at all positive right now . . . I've had a bit of wine and it hasn't had a positive affect. I so appreciate all of the very real offers of help and all of the love and support . . . really. But right now, I am wobbling big time. I think I need to have a good cry, sleep, get up all puffy eyed tomorrow and get some perspective.

I love the bones of that horse . . . really. He is my Beautiful Boy. But I need to be sensible and rational in order to make the right decisions for him. If I were making decisions for me, I'd be stuffing him full of bute so he would live "forever" . . . but it isn't about me. So I need to be patient - wait for my vet to analyse the x-rays and compare them with those taken two years ago and make a plan - even if that plan is that it's his time to go. Which is awful to contemplate, but if it's the right thing for him, then I owe it to him - he trusts me to do right by him.

If we make "that" decision, however, I will move the photo shoot up - and I will invite Z to come and be in some of the pictures - she has been a big part of his life.

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P.S. The irony is that today is Z's birthday . . . I felt awful telling her what the vet said/found when she rang me today (because she's like that . . . and she loves him)
 
Please don't give up hope just yet. Speak to Nic, send her the xrays and see what she thinks. I think your vet is Andrew - get him to call Chris Tufnell at coach house - he is my vet, was totally sceptical at first but now sees BF as a viable option for horses with owners willing to put the time in.

I totally understand exactly how you are feeling as I was there almost two years ago but please speak to Nic before you decide anything.
 
Good morning, hope the eyes aren't too puffy and the head is not too sore (crying always gives me headaches).

One step, one vet phone call, one vet visit, one decision at a time.

((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
 
I have been away too long from this thread due to only being able to post when the wind was blowing in a certain direction at about 9pm at night.......
I am so so sorry about all of this. I know you will make the right decision for him but try not to make it too soon if you know what I mean. As you say he is fairly happy in the field and himself at the moment. I do hope today brings a more positive spin on everything though. I do know of a horse that has had navicular changes now for several years and is still very happy in the field and his new job as happy hacker. Please do not despair. Also listen to GG as you know she always talks the most sense :) Hugs x
 
Oh Kali :( been following your post hoping that things would get better, especially since we found out he was Kali from next door before you got him! I know you'll make the right decisions, hopefully the vets will come up with some good ideas for you. Sending lots of vibes your way xxx
 
Thank you everyone - my wonderful dressage trainer/friend gave me a kick up the backside yesterday and told me to enjoy every minute while I have him, until I don't have him any more - which could be in three weeks' time or three years' time. She's right. I need to work with my vet, farrier, trimmer and whoever else to come up with a plan based on those x-rays - and that's what I'll do. I have also booked the photo shoot she bought me for my birthday - 4th September - so he will be cleaner than he has ever been (which is saying something), mane will be pulled, tail will be trimmed, posh leather headcollar cleaned within an inch of its life, etc., and hopefully I will have some beautiful images of my fairytale horse :).

I've said it before - but I can't thank all of you enough for your support and encouragement - it's not been an easy five months so far, and I suspect the road ahead is still rocky, but it IS a comfort to know you are all here and in our corner.

Thank you.

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Nannon said:
Oh Kali :( been following your post hoping that things would get better, especially since we found out he was Kali from next door before you got him! I know you'll make the right decisions, hopefully the vets will come up with some good ideas for you. Sending lots of vibes your way xxx
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Bless you - you probably wouldn't recognize him now - he is very fleabitten - almost no dapple at all - just on his hocks. He still has the same cheeky expression, though . . . ;).

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Pops hunting last November

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_GG_ said:
Just saw this on facebook. Such a handsome chap :) xx
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Thanks Love . . . he's such a dude . . . which is one reason why I'm so heartbroken - WHEN you have him on side, he'll turn himself inside out for you - as he has done with Z these past two years . . . however, he is still my sweet, affectionate boy :).

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He had a lovely time in the field today - playing with Roger (an elderly Shetland) . . . it was lovely to see them having fun in the sun together - they are like an old married couple - they bicker, make faces at each other, but can't bear to be apart. So sweet.

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Just caught up, i hope you are okay.

He is a stunner and what ever you decide will be the right choice you know him better then anyone.
But fingers crossed for the team to come up with a plan xxx
 
Well he had a visitor today - a fellow HHOer - and did his loony, bouncy, muppet impression when turned out - just showing off really. To be fair, he had had quite a morning - strange (to him) horses on the yard, kept in rather longer than usual after being fed and turned into such a spin-y thing that he turned his mucky straw into soup - had to take out FOUR heaped wheelbarrows this morning.

If I haven't heard from my vet by tomorrow lunchtime, I'm ringing him.

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Now you listen to me...I'm putting my boss hat on. Kali is telling you something with all of this prat-arsing about. He's telling you he's not actually feeling too bad and he's certainly not done with his prancing days yet, so listen to him, put a smile on your face and just take it day by day. OK? Understood?


Good. Much love and all that jazz :) xx
 
_GG_ said:
Now you listen to me...I'm putting my boss hat on. Kali is telling you something with all of this prat-arsing about. He's telling you he's not actually feeling too bad and he's certainly not done with his prancing days yet, so listen to him, put a smile on your face and just take it day by day. OK? Understood?


Good. Much love and all that jazz :) xx
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He bloody well ought to feel good - he's on two flipping bute a day! I appreciate the sentiment, but will agree with you when and if he is the same once he is off the bute . . . ;).

And the day he doesn't want to prat arse about, is the day I decide he isn't himself/is in serious amounts of pain and we need to consider his quality of life . . . in that regard, you are quite right - not his turn yet :).

When are you coming to meet him?

P xx
 
PolarSkye said:
He bloody well ought to feel good - he's on two flipping bute a day! I appreciate the sentiment, but will agree with you when and if he is the same once he is off the bute . . . ;).

And the day he doesn't want to prat arse about, is the day I decide he isn't himself/is in serious amounts of pain and we need to consider his quality of life . . . in that regard, you are quite right - not his turn yet :).

When are you coming to meet him?

P xx
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I should really come this week before all my time is taken up with the new boy :)
 
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