Kali's recovery diary (I hope)

OK . . . so we had a wobble on Thursday when Pops was unlevel in front when N rode him . . . not pretty . . . not lame but not 100%.

So after a sleepless night and much thinking, I decided the gloves need to come off . . . he needs to WORK. That ligament isn't a worry any more - what we're dealing with now is navicular and the best thing for that is proper work (with all the obvious caveats about him being weak, etc.) . . . so no more poncing about. I also got a stern talking to from C (our dressage trainer/my dear friend).

Friday afternoon I long-reined him, yesterday he had a spin on the walker and today Z (who was home for the weekend and desperate to sit on "her" boy) rode him. He started out pottery in front, but after no more than two minutes had worked through it . . . she focussed on working him long and low and getting him really stretching over his back (he is asking to stretch - which is lovely to see) and the most amazing thing was that he actually stretched in the canter (he found that hard before he became lame) . . . :).

I am NOT happy that he is funny in front when he first starts working . . . but I remember that he was like this after his initial navicular diagnosis two years ago . . . and he came sound.

I AM happy that he is working through the unlevelness (I know, that's not a word) . . . and I am ecstatic that is offering stretchiness on his own - this is a horse whose preferred way of going was very much hollow two years ago . . . it proves to me that he understands (and prefers) to stretch and work over his back. Those draw rein memories are well and truly behind him :) :) :).

Lastly, I am thrilled that his two jockeys (N and Z) so obviously complement each other . . . Z won't be able to ride him anywhere near as much as she used to, but she will have SOME time for him once her training is over and she has a good idea of her shift patterns, and N is such a quiet and kind (and, yes, effective) rider that she enhances/complements the way he has already been schooled/produced.

IF we can get him sound, they will both have the opportunity to compete him . . . N more than Z, but still both of them . . . the next couple of weeks just need to go amazingly well and the stars need to align and he needs to be sound OFF bute. Not asking for much, is it?

P

P.S. I do love him . . . can you tell?
 
We have gone from managing/rehabbing a ligament injury to managing/rehabbing a known navicular problem . . . I know navicular is a horrible, degenerative disease, but the fact that the recent x-rays don't show significant changes from those taken two years ago fills me with hope. I know this disease will catch up with him . . . but I plan to do all I can to get him back into work (because that's best for him) and enjoy every minute with him until the end . . . I owe him nothing less . . . he loves/lives to work . . . he is so willing and honest and happy in work . . .

P
 
Pole work yesterday with N. Yes, a little pottery, but worked through it again. She acknowledged that she needs to ride him more "up together" and that that will help . . . but otherwise some lovely work.

Because he is working, he is chilled in the field - which means he is eating all the lovely grass that is up there - which means his poo is green and sloppy . . . TMI probably, but it is great to see him head down and munching rather than pacing. When I went to fetch him yesterday afternoon (after four o'clock) he was actually asleep under the tree.

Oh, and he is now drinking water in the field - he took a violent aversion to the purple bucket and just refused to drink, so I switched it with the black one from his regular field and hey presto . . . he is a funny boy.

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Pole work yesterday with N. Yes, a little pottery, but worked through it again. She acknowledged that she needs to ride him more "up together" and that that will help . . . but otherwise some lovely work.

Because he is working, he is chilled in the field - which means he is eating all the lovely grass that is up there - which means his poo is green and sloppy . . . TMI probably, but it is great to see him head down and munching rather than pacing. When I went to fetch him yesterday afternoon (after four o'clock) he was actually asleep under the tree.

Oh, and he is now drinking water in the field - he took a violent aversion to the purple bucket and just refused to drink, so I switched it with the black one from his regular field and hey presto . . . he is a funny boy.

P
Click to expand...

Fly would only eat/drink out of green buckets. They are funny aren't they. Pole work.sounds good and so nice to know he is relaxing. Xx
 
Well, I lunged him today (vet said it was ok as long as he didn't hooley) . . . fine on the right rein, still not happy with how he looks on the left . . . but a) he's weak and that's his bad rein; and b) he got rather upset (YO is having work done in her garden which is right up against the C end of the school). All he wants to do is stretch . . . so I think it's time to get physio out (vet has given permission) just to give him some relief from any possible soreness from the past five months of holding himself differently because he was sore in front.

When I fetched him in from the field this afternoon he had a grass belly (a big deal for him) and was pretty much dead on his feet . . . sooooooo sleepy and quiet. He'll sleep well tonight.

I am holding my breath until I see him happy and sound on both reins . . .

P
 
N rode him yesterday . . . he totally acted the maggot and nearly had her off . . . proper giraffed and took the proverbial . . . I suggested she shorten up her reins and push him into the contact and he immediately went "oh bugga" and knuckled down and behaved. Trotting poles across the diagonal - got him thinking. Started out a little pottery, but it was hard to tell whether that was soreness or him being an ignorant twonk . . . certainly sound by the end. Lunged him today - it's the best I've seen him since he came back into work . . . a few unlevel steps to start with, but completely sound after a minute or so. Will be brave and drop the bute down to one a day now (half in the morning and half at night) . . . I think working him slightly harder (as in properly) is really helping him . . . and he is nowhere near as unfit or weak as I expected . . . physio coming out next week :).

P
 
In other news he has the runs . . . big time . . . very smelly too. It's either a) the fact that he's actually eating the (abundant) grass in the top paddock instead of pacing; or b) the MSM - I have sourced it from a new supplier and it may be upsetting him . . . either way I had to bath his back end/tail TWICE this morning and mucking out his stable was not much fun . . . he's well enough in himself, just very smelly/mucky. Bleurgh.

P
 
Re the squits - I have had one of mine on a relatively low dose of danilon (only 2 a day to be reduced) for his spavins. He suddenly started to have swellings on his face and a blood test showed lose of protein. Right dorsal colitis suspected. Reading up on this it danilon/bute does seem to be a cause of this and one of the symptoms is a bad tummy. My lad didn't have this although it is a classic sign. Not wanting to worry you at all but as there is a link it is something to maybe keep an eye on? A week on steroids has vastly improved protein results and we have more bloods to do in a couple of weeks so please keep fingers crossed for him.........
Really glad K is looking good though. It really does seem to be going much better x :)
 
Hetsmum said:
Re the squits - I have had one of mine on a relatively low dose of danilon (only 2 a day to be reduced) for his spavins. He suddenly started to have swellings on his face and a blood test showed lose of protein. Right dorsal colitis suspected. Reading up on this it danilon/bute does seem to be a cause of this and one of the symptoms is a bad tummy. My lad didn't have this although it is a classic sign. Not wanting to worry you at all but as there is a link it is something to maybe keep an eye on? A week on steroids has vastly improved protein results and we have more bloods to do in a couple of weeks so please keep fingers crossed for him.........
Really glad K is looking good though. It really does seem to be going much better x :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for this - definitely something to keep an eye on. He's been down to just one bute a day since Friday . . . it's not the grass in his field (eliminated that by putting him back in HIS field where there's minimal grass for a day - still squitty), but it could be the MSM (by Aviform in case anyone else has had a similar issue). I have reduced the dose of that down to half quantities - and although he did need a bum and tail wash this morning, his droppings do seem a little less loose.

I will keep an eye out though . . . I should be looking for swellings?

P
 
Inside I'm dancing . . . eep!

As I said above to Hetsmum, I reduced his bute down to just one a day on Friday . . . N rode him in the school this morning and he looked the best he has since she started riding him . . . no lame steps at ALL.

They have a lesson with C tomorrow evening so we'll see what she thinks - but I'm very pleased with him. N said he felt really good although the little turd did spin and rear with her in the bogey corner - naughty boy!

If he continues like this this week, I'm taking him off the bute this coming Friday . . . oh please, please, please let him be sound . . .

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Inside I'm dancing . . . eep!

As I said above to Hetsmum, I reduced his bute down to just one a day on Friday . . . N rode him in the school this morning and he looked the best he has since she started riding him . . . no lame steps at ALL.

They have a lesson with C tomorrow evening so we'll see what she thinks - but I'm very pleased with him. N said he felt really good although the little turd did spin and rear with her in the bogey corner - naughty boy!

If he continues like this this week, I'm taking him off the bute this coming Friday . . . oh please, please, please let him be sound . . .

P
Click to expand...
Ah this sounds VERY good indeed! RDC is not common and you are right it is probably the MSM but for info the swelling is around the side of the lips, under the jaw, and where you get the classic 'grass glands'. K sounds like it is all going in the right direction.........AT SPEED!!!! :)
 
Quick update . . .

N had a lesson with C (on Kal obviously) on Monday evening and the little toe rag turned himself inside out - rearing, rearing and spinning, spinning . . . did NOT want to go into that corner. C talked N through it and, bless her, considering she hasn't been riding him long, and she is very tiny/he is a big lad, N rode him through it beautifully. He did get his knickers in a right knot, though, and got very tight/tense in front which resulted in some horrible steps . . . however, once he relaxed he looked much better. C was so impressed with N that she offered her some odd hours riding for her!!!!!!! Unheard of - C is VERY picky.

Yesterday I lunged him over poles (on a curve across the centre line) . . . some dodgy steps but more weakness/lack of balance than lameness but overall very good . . . I was going to attach side reins but he spent most of his time trying to put his nose on the floor so just let him stretch - lovely to see - this is the horse who liked to imitate a giraffe when lunged two years ago ;).

This morning N came to ride him, bright and early . . . I officially love her. She remembered every tiny little thing C had said to her/taught her . . . rode him through his corner tantrums beautifully and he looked lovely - soft, swingy and (most of the time) relaxed . . . despite two workmen being in the garden just over the fence in "that" corner - both in hi-vis, one doubled over digging and the other operating an enormous, bright yellow dump truck. He also tried VERY hard to give her walk to canter . . . it's hard for him at this point because he's not very strong, and her aids are slightly different to Z's . . . but with gentle persuasion and patience she rode him through it.

The squits have gone . . . Monday was the first day he had a mostly clean bottom/tail in the morning . . . Happy Tummy arrived today (but it will be a handy thing to have to hand).

So . . . very happy . . . he isn't 100% sound yet . . . but he's weak and unbalanced and it's the odd stride or step rather than consistently sore like he was before . . . and it gets less and less. Some days we don't see it at all - some days it's a niggle. He could do a dressage test ridden up together and the judge wouldn't pick anything up . . . not to say we would do that, and he certainly won't be going out until he's much fitter and stronger (and I would NEVER compete a horse on bute) . . . but that's how close to sound he is. He comes off the bute altogether on Friday (he has half a sachet morning and evening at the moment). N has been riding him for two and a half weeks.

Physio can't come until 4th October - which is a shame - but she's so good that she's worth the wait . . . until then he'll be doing as much long and low and strengthening work as possible. Once the physio has been, I'll consult with my vet and hopefully he can start hacking/some hillwork . . . and then can start some jumping (in the school).

I had the BIGGEST smile on my face watching N and Kal this morning - for the first time I actually allowed myself to feel that we may be able to crack this.

:) :) :) :) :).

I'm really, really pleased with both of them . . . :).

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Quick update . . .

N had a lesson with C (on Kal obviously) on Monday evening and the little toe rag turned himself inside out - rearing, rearing and spinning, spinning . . . did NOT want to go into that corner. C talked N through it and, bless her, considering she hasn't been riding him long, and she is very tiny/he is a big lad, N rode him through it beautifully. He did get his knickers in a right knot, though, and got very tight/tense in front which resulted in some horrible steps . . . however, once he relaxed he looked much better. C was so impressed with N that she offered her some odd hours riding for her!!!!!!! Unheard of - C is VERY picky.

Yesterday I lunged him over poles (on a curve across the centre line) . . . some dodgy steps but more weakness/lack of balance than lameness but overall very good . . . I was going to attach side reins but he spent most of his time trying to put his nose on the floor so just let him stretch - lovely to see - this is the horse who liked to imitate a giraffe when lunged two years ago ;).

This morning N came to ride him, bright and early . . . I officially love her. She remembered every tiny little thing C had said to her/taught her . . . rode him through his corner tantrums beautifully and he looked lovely - soft, swingy and (most of the time) relaxed . . . despite two workmen being in the garden just over the fence in "that" corner - both in hi-vis, one doubled over digging and the other operating an enormous, bright yellow dump truck. He also tried VERY hard to give her walk to canter . . . it's hard for him at this point because he's not very strong, and her aids are slightly different to Z's . . . but with gentle persuasion and patience she rode him through it.

The squits have gone . . . Monday was the first day he had a mostly clean bottom/tail in the morning . . . Happy Tummy arrived today (but it will be a handy thing to have to hand).

So . . . very happy . . . he isn't 100% sound yet . . . but he's weak and unbalanced and it's the odd stride or step rather than consistently sore like he was before . . . and it gets less and less. Some days we don't see it at all - some days it's a niggle. He could do a dressage test ridden up together and the judge wouldn't pick anything up . . . not to say we would do that, and he certainly won't be going out until he's much fitter and stronger (and I would NEVER compete a horse on bute) . . . but that's how close to sound he is. He comes off the bute altogether on Friday (he has half a sachet morning and evening at the moment). N has been riding him for two and a half weeks.

Physio can't come until 4th October - which is a shame - but she's so good that she's worth the wait . . . until then he'll be doing as much long and low and strengthening work as possible. Once the physio has been, I'll consult with my vet and hopefully he can start hacking/some hillwork . . . and then can start some jumping (in the school).

I had the BIGGEST smile on my face watching N and Kal this morning - for the first time I actually allowed myself to feel that we may be able to crack this.

:) :) :) :) :).

I'm really, really pleased with both of them . . . :).

P
Click to expand...

Sending you a big Welsh congratulatory cwtch. So lovely to read that xxx
 
Pops had his photo shoot yesterday - I am a tad biased, but he looked stunning. Z came and plaited him (wasn't going to do that, but very glad I did) and he was his best poser-y self for the first hour . . . he got a tad fed up in the second hour and we gave up when he refused to put his ears forward any more ;).

Nat rode him on Friday - it was very late (gone six p.m.) and he hadn't had any bute since the half sachet at eight a.m. and it showed :(. However, he did really, really try hard, bless him and, aside from some nasty stumble-y steps, gave her some lovely work. He is amazing us with his canter work . . . after five months off I was expecting the canter to be horrid (not his best pace) but it's lovely - uphill, light and expressive.

Yesterday he was much better when Z rode him, but I made sure he had an extra half sachet of bute at lunchtime.

I'm not loving having to bute him to work him . . . I'm going to give him another week or so on the one sachet (half in the morning half in the afternoon) and see if that extra week of work helps him . . . if not, time to get the vet back out.

I'm confident that what we're seeing is the soreness in his feet due to the navicular, rather than any soreness in that right forelimb (vet proved that with nerve blocking during last lameness workup) . . . but having him on bute long term is not an option I'm thrilled with.

Let's see what the next week or so brings . . . it's frustrating because on that extra little bit of bute he moved so so well yesterday - busted out medium trot in the school with Z and didn't potter or stumble once.

Sigh - the rollercoaster continues . . .

P
 
googol said:
Would there be any herbal painkillery things u could try? He's come so far and seems to need so little to keep him comfy!
Click to expand...

Turmeric and sudocrem...they cure anything ;)

PS - these things never happen smoothly. There will always be set backs, but what you look for is that as you progress, the set backs are smaller and not as significant and that sounds to be the case here. Also, it is worth remembering that sometimes things are psychological as well as physical and it is not uncommon for a horse to be tentative after a long period of pain or discomfort to guard themselves a little.

I don't think this sounds too bad at all xxx
 
Sounds like he is coming on well, so thank you for keeping us updated. Hopefully he continues to do well!

_GG_ said:
Turmeric and sudocrem...they cure anything ;)
Click to expand...

I think what googol was trying to suggest that some of the Bute alternatives might be worth trying, given the low dose he is on, especially given PS has said she has doubts about long term bute, or something along those lines.

Anyway, looking forward to the next installment, onwards and upwards!
 
Sheep said:
Sounds like he is coming on well, so thank you for keeping us updated. Hopefully he continues to do well!



I think what googol was trying to suggest that some of the Bute alternatives might be worth trying, given the low dose he is on, especially given PS has said she has doubts about long term bute, or something along those lines.

Anyway, looking forward to the next installment, onwards and upwards!
Click to expand...

It was a very tongue in cheek comment sheep. I'm right behind PS and what she is doing with Kal and I know she's grateful for all input.

My comment was just a bit of fun x
 
I've had the link through for the online gallery of images from Saturday's shoot . . . I'm honestly blown away . . . is that beautiful horse really mine?

And despite me saying that I didn't want any pictures with me in them, she took a beautiful one of me leading him across his field . . . brought tears to my eyes.

If and when I say goodbye to him - whether that's soon or in another ten years, I will be very glad I have these beautiful pictures . . . a big thank you to my dear friend C (also our dressage coach) for such a wonderful birthday present.

P
 
PolarSkye said:
I've had the link through for the online gallery of images from Saturday's shoot . . . I'm honestly blown away . . . is that beautiful horse really mine?

And despite me saying that I didn't want any pictures with me in them, she took a beautiful one of me leading him across his field . . . brought tears to my eyes.

If and when I say goodbye to him - whether that's soon or in another ten years, I will be very glad I have these beautiful pictures . . . a big thank you to my dear friend C (also our dressage coach) for such a wonderful birthday present.

P
Click to expand...

Mwah xxx
 
So the latest is that he is incredibly sore everywhere - sore and tight in all sorts of places . . . flipping physio can't come out soon enough. This is doubtless due to having held himself/compensated for the soreness over the past five or so months . . . not to mention some of the shapes he threw the other day with N on board in the school. I have spoken to vet and trainer (who saw him today) and general consensus is to keep him ticking over/moving until the physio comes out a week on Saturday - so hacking, long reining, time on the walker, walking out in hand . . . no lunging and no time in the school. Oh, and vet wants me to take him off bute for the foreseeable so that we can see the progression . . . bless him, I'm not surprised he's tight and sore . . . he's had a rum old time of it.

In other news, lovely trainer has loaned us her jump saddle (Albion K2) until we are in a position to buy him one (assuming we get there). So hopefully, we will get to use it and it won't just take up space in the tack room ;).

One step forward and two steps back - and all that . . .

P
 
First hack/jaunt off the farm in five months . . . and he was an angel. Power walked though . . . I don't think N was expecting that ;). Had a couple of teeny trots while out, and then had a nice leisurely canter up the drive (on the grass) on the way back. He came back with an enormous smile on his face - going again in the morning :).

P
 
Another hack this morning . . . had to go with them on foot to get him past the big, scary concrete balls at the end of the drive (he has never been out of that particular gate before), and he had to put his big boy pants on and hack up Wellingtonia Ave with idiot boy racers zooming right up his backside without slowing down, but he did it - they got onto the Ridges and had a lovely hack . . . a few little trots again, another canter up the drive, one very happy horse. And not one lame or dodgy step while out. Result! Left him at lunchtime, head down, scoffing in the field.

P
 
Just a quick update - he has hacked all week, except Tuesday when he went on the walker, and today had the physio. Boy is he stiff/locked behind the saddle, left hamstrings very tight and left shoulder also very sore. She worked on him for about an hour, has given us some recommendations wrt work and exercises to do - she'll be back in two weeks for more rehab. He came in from the field a wet, shivering wreck so I left him in - with straw up to his knees and a mountain of hay. Oh, and she wants me to stop feeding him from a haynet . . . I always give him some hay on the floor, but now it is ALL on the floor - he was most confused to find no haynet hanging up, but he'll soon work out where the hay is ;).

N is coming to ride him tomorrow and we'll have a chat about how we manage him going forward. Physio (we'll all her S) is another one who feels we need to give him more time to come 100% right before I panic, LOL. She made the rather excellent point that when he first went lame, he was well-muscled and really fit - usually when (say) eventers have a break at the end of the season, they are "let down" and their workload is gradually reduced . . . sudden cessation of work, not to mention physical discomfort/compensating for soreness in limbs/feet, is bound to produce tension in the body/muscular problems.

Oh, and I'm going to have his dressage saddle looked at . . . the last time it was flocked/fitted, he was a very different shape.

P
 
So . . . first time in the school for about ten days and post physio . . . on NO bute at all . . . and he is SOUND!

He's sound, he's sound, he's sound. 100% sound!

Honestly, if I hadn't done something to my back (long story), I'd be dancing the cancan right now :).

I owe a huge thank you to so many people . . . first to my lovely vet, whose effective diagnosis, subsequent treatment and endless patience has obviously worked ;). A massive thank you needs to go to my friend and dressage trainer, C, who picked me up off the floor more times than I care to mention - she's been a huge support to me emotionally, and a source of wisdom and guidance. I owe gratitude to both his jockeys for their time and dedication (and friendship) - and for loving him. So many friends have been in our corner willing him better, being there for the vet, letting me rant and vent and cry - and sharing every tiny success. A big thank you to every single person on this thread - those who just read and those who took the time to comment - your support has meant so much - it's been like having a massive cheerleading team behind my lovely boy - but a special thank you to _GG_ . . . her kindness and encouragement has, at times, left me speechless.

To anyone doubting that HHO is a real, genuine, living, breathing Community, I say just read this thread . . . and to anyone struggling with similar injuries to Kali's, please a) take heart; and b) don't hesitate to use me for help, support, guidance or just to vent to in the dark hours.

I am feeling very lucky today :).

P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top