Kali's recovery diary (I hope)

Well I got to meet the lovely GG (well, that would be "we" because my eldest daughter came too) and it was a lovely afternoon. GG is fun, warm and kind - just like she is on here :). She also gives great hugs.

In other news, I finally got to speak to my vet today (they're a vet down in the practice so he's been very busy) and the changes between the x-rays taken last week and two years ago are not significant - which is good news . . . and he feels that we can be confident that we don't need to worry about that suspensory now. So - he's on bute and he will be worked to get the blood supply to the foot . . . I have some other decisions to make regarding shoes/no shoes, but I need time and more information to make them.

He has moved fields - he's gone up to the top field with Rog where there's loads of grass (basically standing hay) and is now nice and settled up there, which is great. I plan to keep him up there for a good six weeks to give his field a chance to have a real rest.

Finally, we have booked a photo shoot with him for 4th September . . . and I can't wait :).

So . . . still a lot of unknowns, but feeling a bit more relaxed about things. He, on the other hand, is blissfully happy and full of self importance. He was most put out when the mares were turned out next to him this morning and didn't respond to his greeting by going over to say hello . . .

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Well I got to meet the lovely GG (well, that would be "we" because my eldest daughter came too) and it was a lovely afternoon. GG is fun, warm and kind - just like she is on here :). She also gives great hugs.

In other news, I finally got to speak to my vet today (they're a vet down in the practice so he's been very busy) and the changes between the x-rays taken last week and two years ago are not significant - which is good news . . . and he feels that we can be confident that we don't need to worry about that suspensory now. So - he's on bute and he will be worked to get the blood supply to the foot . . . I have some other decisions to make regarding shoes/no shoes, but I need time and more information to make them.

He has moved fields - he's gone up to the top field with Rog where there's loads of grass (basically standing hay) and is now nice and settled up there, which is great. I plan to keep him up there for a good six weeks to give his field a chance to have a real rest.

Finally, we have booked a photo shoot with him for 4th September . . . and I can't wait :).

So . . . still a lot of unknowns, but feeling a bit more relaxed about things. He, on the other hand, is blissfully happy and full of self importance. He was most put out when the mares were turned out next to him this morning and didn't respond to his greeting by going over to say hello . . .

P
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You were horrible ;)

Just kidding...thank you for lunch and for letting me meet Kal.

Now...you know my thoughts on the shoes/no shoes thing....and that's that you should listen to only those actually involved and make your own decision...as I know you will...based on what is best for Kal.

As for what the vet has said, I couldn't be happier for you, honestly, you have been so worried and been on such an emotional roller coaster for so long now that to have this news is just brilliant.

Big cwtch (like a cuddle but Welsh, so better ) :)
 
This sounds so much more positive! Really good news and the photoshoot is not too long to wait! Bless GG for her visit. Well timed I think! xxx
 
Thanks all (again) . . . yes, GG's visit was very well-timed - as I said, she is kind ;).

Big day for Pops tomorrow - will update when I can. In the mean time, fingers and toes firmly crossed. He had a bit of a spa day today . . . mane pulled, willy washed, forelock washed (I don't do that often - he hates it) and he got a graze in hand on some lovely grass as a reward for being so patient.

He didn't have a great weekend - I was stewarding/scribing at a local show so I spent hardly any time with him (just chucked him out both mornings) and other people put him to bed Sunday and Monday . . . when I swung by the yard just to check on him on Monday night he was most indignant - shouted at me and let me know he wasn't happy - he was very restless. He really is a spoiled diva.

I'm so hoping that the fact that the changes aren't significant (from last time) means we can get him sound again . . . I know we're still just buying him time, but he's only 15 . . . even if we only buy him another two or three years, that's great . . . and if we can't get him sound, well then it's his time to go . . .

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Thanks all (again) . . . yes, GG's visit was very well-timed - as I said, she is kind ;).

Big day for Pops tomorrow - will update when I can. In the mean time, fingers and toes firmly crossed. He had a bit of a spa day today . . . mane pulled, willy washed, forelock washed (I don't do that often - he hates it) and he got a graze in hand on some lovely grass as a reward for being so patient.

He didn't have a great weekend - I was stewarding/scribing at a local show so I spent hardly any time with him (just chucked him out both mornings) and other people put him to bed Sunday and Monday . . . when I swung by the yard just to check on him on Monday night he was most indignant - shouted at me and let me know he wasn't happy - he was very restless. He really is a spoiled diva.

I'm so hoping that the fact that the changes aren't significant (from last time) means we can get him sound again . . . I know we're still just buying him time, but he's only 15 . . . even if we only buy him another two or three years, that's great . . . and if we can't get him sound, well then it's his time to go . . .

P
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Just sending you a big hug. He certainly doesn't look 15!!! Hope tomorrow goes well...will be thinking of you xxx
 
Very big day today.

As you know, Z has been Kal's jockey for the past two years - and in the process has become one of my favourite people on the planet. She has always wanted to work for the prison service - and back when Kal first went lame, she received notification that they were hiring so began the assessment/interview process. To her great delight (and mine) she passed . . . but, while I was (am) thrilled for her, I had to begin thinking about what to do with Kal. Honestly, the thought of her not being his jockey any more broke my heart . . . really . . . the three of us have had so much fun and been through so much together, I had hoped it could go on forever . . . and I am SO appreciative of everything she has given him (and me) . . . but reality was staring me in the face. A lot of uncertainty. Could we get him sound? If we did, who could help me rehab him (I am rather broken)?

Cue N . . . I've known her for years, I would say we are good acquaintances rather than friends, but she's a lovely person and a nice quiet rider. Through a mutual friend, she expressed interest in helping me/riding Kal. So . . . today she came and sat on Kali in the school (under the guidance of our dressage coach) . . . I was apprehensive on two counts - would Pops be sound (he's on two bute a day at the moment, but that will be tapered down while we rehab him) - and would they "click" . . . he is quite particular about who sits on his back.

I needn't have worried on either count - he was quite relaxed with her - and she really likes him . . . and he's sound :). So . . . two weeks of gentle work in the school - ridden, long-reined - on two bute, a week on one bute, and then we take him off the bute and see what happens.

I will get back on him if he stays sound, but I don't want to interfere with him getting to know N . . . so not for a little while.

Fingers, toes and everything bendy crossed that when we drop the bute dosage he stays sound . . .

P

P.S. Z is in training at the moment . . . when she has finished that, she'll be on shift work, and I have promised her that she can still ride Pops if she wants to when she has time (obviously taking into account what N is doing with him) . . . she really loves him (and he loves her) so I hope she can have the occasional sit a couple of times a month . . . I am very sad that Z won't be Kal's regular jockey any more, but optimistic that (if we can get him sound) he can form a new partnership with N . . .

P.P.S. Just fifteen minutes in the school and he was sooooooooooooo relaxed - left him stuffing his face in the field (he is usually on patrol, making sure everyone is standing where they are supposed to be standing) - he'll sleep well tonight ;)
 
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What a lovely post,you sound so much more positive. It seems like fate that you found a new jockey-fingers crossed someone up there is smiling on you and there are good things ahead for the new partnership 😀
 
FrostyFeet said:
What a lovely post,you sound so much more positive. It seems like fate that you found a new jockey-fingers crossed someone up there is smiling on you and there are good things ahead for the new partnership ��
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Thank you. C (dressage trainer/friend) keeps kicking me up the behind and telling me to get a grip - which is enormously helpful. It was lovely to see him working again - and to see him trying for N when he doesn't know her from Adam. He clearly enjoyed being back in work . . . I certainly feel a bit more positive - I just don't want to count my chickens and be horribly and awfully disappointed.

But . . . thank you :).

P
 
N rode him again this morning . . . I can't believe how sweetly he goes for her! It was only fifteen minutes, but they both finished with smiles on their faces . . . she talked to him the whole time and rode lots of figure of eights and serpentines (our school is massive - 60 x 50 so no massively tight turns) - both of which are perfect for him because the constant changes of bend keep his attention.

Oh, and N's lovely daughter C poo picked the shetlands' pen for me . . . BONUS! Then I let C lead Pops up to the field (she's seven . . . but he's a proper lamb to lead at home - she was very tickled to be leading such a big horse).

P
 
PolarSkye said:
N rode him again this morning . . . I can't believe how sweetly he goes for her! It was only fifteen minutes, but they both finished with smiles on their faces . . . she talked to him the whole time and rode lots of figure of eights and serpentines (our school is massive - 60 x 50 so no massively tight turns) - both of which are perfect for him because the constant changes of bend keep his attention.

Oh, and N's lovely daughter C poo picked the shetlands' pen for me . . . BONUS! Then I let C lead Pops up to the field (she's seven . . . but he's a proper lamb to lead at home - she was very tickled to be leading such a big horse).

P
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I love everything about the past few posts. Just fabulous :)

Wish Z luck xxx
 
Lunged him today . . . vet said I could . . . he's happy with the suspensory - now we're treating/rehabbing the navicular . . . he was sooooo happy to be working . . . ears pricked, soft, sensible (always a plus) and just wanted to stretch down with his nose on the floor (which is how I want him to go at the moment).

I will be booking a massage for him in the next week (with the sanction of my vet) just to make sure he's fully comfy while we rehab him.

N is coming to ride him tomorrow morning.

I can't help but look for lameness . . . I'm mega-paranoid . . . but I need to embrace the rehab and stay in the moment for now.

Slow and steady wins the race . . . I hope . . .

P
 
_GG_ said:
I love everything about the past few posts. Just fabulous :)

Wish Z luck xxx
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Spoke to her today . . . she is tickled that he likes N, but it still feels weird to me that she's not his (primary) jockey any more. We're going over to hers next Saturday to watch Burghley XC and it will be great to reconnect with her/spend time. I miss her. I think having her sit on Pops right now would be a mistake . . . and unfair to Kal . . . he needs to bond with N . . . but once they are settled, and Z has gotten to grips with her new schedule, I so want her to come and sit on "her" boy when she has the chance . . . she made him the horse he is today and I am so grateful.

P
 
N rode Pops in the school again yesterday - he did his trademark giraffe impression for about 30 seconds but she gave him his head and pushed him on and he gave in without any more arguing. She's good for him . . . and he likes her. In other news, he's settled into the top paddock and all this rain means the grass is growing in HIS field while it's resting, which is good. He did manage to climb into the shetlands' little lami pen and get bitten by Sasha (one of the minis) for his trouble . . . here he is pretending to be a laminitic mini shettie:

PopsShetlands2.jpg


PopsShetlands.jpg


P
 
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Actually - any ideas on things we can do with him in the school to keep him interested, but not tax him too much . . . he can't do poles yet, he isn't cantering yet, there's obviously no jumping and we're trying to keep tight turns to a minimum . . . N is working on "long and low" because needs to rebuild muscle over his back/topline, but I'm worried about him getting bored and acting the maggot . . . ideas on a postcard please . . .

P
 
_GG_ said:
Whispers back . . . ok, that sounds promising . . . hope this evening goes well . . . let us know how it goes xxx ;)
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Well yesterday he did his best giraffe impression - I think he was mightily put out that he'd been brought in, had a bath, had his tea and THEN hoiked out to do this thing called WORK! To N's credit, she pushed her hands up his neck, sent him forwards and kept talking to him/ignored his head. She's a different rider to Z and they are still getting to know each other . . . but she's so still and quiet and soft and sympathetic and kind that he really does like her . . . so I am confident that they will form their own partnership (get me, all optimistic and thinking about a future!).

Today, despite her coming up again in the evening, he tried his little heart out for her . . . not a giraffe in sight. He is obviously weak (no topline or bum muscles at all), but he still managed to be very soft and loose for her.

The photoshoot has been rescheduled for Sunday, which is actually a good thing because it means Z can come as she is home from training for the weekend . . . I am looking forward to that immensely.

The training plan for the next two weeks is to keep him in the school until we see what he looks like once the bute is removed (two weeks tomorrow) . . . lots of walk and trot with his nose on the floor and introduce a little bit of canter.

I am actually hopeful . . .

P
 
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