Kevin update :)

[Sukistokes2]

Some may remember I was having issues with my Clydesdale horse Kevin. These issues resulted in my flying out the side door at speed and taking out the fence of the school. Broken hand and bruised bottom .... ouch !
An extended period of rest( as per vets instructions) , one false start later, we have some minor success . Kevin has hacked out successfully with no sign of poor behaviour. In fact he behaved better then the safe, sensible cob I was riding to escort. ( insert eye roll here) Currently it's looking like the vet might have been on the right track with an injury. Kev is still on his PSSM treatment but once it runs out we will see how he goes. Happy to reinstate it if needed.

The professional rider rode him three times escorted by myself and the daft cob. On the fourth ossaccion I could not help it I rode him. I was nervous for the first ten minutes, that vanished in the woods. I had a lovely trot up the track and Kev enjoyed himself. Coming back I just sat and pushed him into canter and he went on the button. Stopping him involved just a quiet....whoa Kev. First time he had been cantered since the incident. He felt good, relaxed and happy. Ears pricked and content. Fingers crossed we carry on that way.

 

[ester]

He looks an awful lot better in himself, relaxed and happy!

 

[Sukistokes2]

I know, it makes you think " how could I have missed it".........ahhh hindsight eh!?

 

[wren123]

Not commented before as nothing to add, but I have followed your thread as I love Kevin!
Really pleased to hear your latest update, and Ester is spot on, he looks super now, much happier.

 

[Ceriann]

Really good to hear - so difficult when you know something is wrong but can't pinpoint it and it's manifesting mainly in what could be considered behaviour. He looks v contented and you must be so glad you persevered with all the investigations.

 

[ester]

I know, it makes you think " how could I have missed it".........ahhh hindsight eh!?

meh, always easier in hindsight, and I don't think seeing them every day helps with being objective either.

 

[PorkChop]

He looks so much better, really pleased for you

 

[SEL]

So pleased - he's lovely!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Great update. He just looks happier in his own skin, doesn't he .

 

[Dave's Mam]

He looks great, fngers crossed it's all coming together.

 

[rachk89]

Good to see he's getting better. Its always easier in hindsight, but you've hopefully got it sorted.

 

[ycbm]

He has improved so much on the PSSM regime that I can't help wondering why you are going to take him off it? It would be such a shame to set him back again when he's just feeling better, if he has it.

 

[ester]

I did wonder that myself but can also understand that it is perhaps an even clearer dx if the vet still thinks injury if he deteriorates once off it so can see arguments both ways. I'd definitely be tempted to continue though.

 

[Sukistokes2]

I have no evidence at all to tell me that the alcar and the vit E have done anything at all, except cost me money. His improvements could be down to the rest in the field and the huge amounts of lovely green grass he has been scoffing. The only way to be sure is to withdraw the supplements and see if he reacts. I have no proof he has any myopathyof any kind. I hesitate to do a biopsy at this stage. Overall all we really have is a horse that has bolted in pain, I've no evidence of any tying up or other symptoms at all. His condition and weight loss could have been down to pain, a virus or him just adjusting to coming off hay on to grass. Who knows. I could be feeding him something he doesn't actually need for the rest of his life and believe me when I say he already costs a lot to feed. From what you guys have been saying I should know pretty quickly if he does react and then he can go back on again if he goes. Then I have an answer.

 

[ycbm]

Personally, I would wait until he is back in full work with you routinely on board before changing anything, but hopefully that will coincide with you running out of stuff anyway. Recovery is quick, but if he deteriorates it will probably be gradual. I missed not one, but both of mine struggling with too little vitamin E at the end of this winter. And I knew exactly what I should have been looking for. It would be easy to blame yourself for not riding him well, when in fact it is the beginning of him feeling the disease again.

 

[Sukistokes2]

Thank you ycbm, I am well supplied at the moment and he will continue having it for some weeks. The truth is I am assuming he has something on little evidence. I could keep giving it and he does well. I could stop and he goes down hill and it is in fact just the injury coming back. There is nothing hard and fast here. I see no point in giving something just because. If he does deteriorate at least then I can investigate further.

 

[southerncomfort]

Chuffed to bits for you!

 

[ycbm]

Just to confuse the hell out of you SS, if he does have PSSM and starts to feel it again, one of mine goes solid in the bum muscles and the other has bum muscles that turn to jelly first. I now feel them both on a regular basis to make sure I'm on top of things. Winter is a trigger for mine, with dropping vitamin E levels in the grass, I think.

 

[Sukistokes2]

My Chiro vet is coming out soon to check him over I will chat to her, she is German and might know more then my current "normal" vet.

I am not dismissing PSSM I am just checking

Also I have had him for a year and a bit and he has only displayed this level of behavior since Christmas. There have been some minor hiccups but they are to be expected with any horse.

 

[Asha]

Great news , sounds like a good plan. Hope it all works out for you x

 

[ycbm]

My Chiro vet is coming out soon to check him over I will chat to her, she is German and might know more then my current "normal" vet.

I am not dismissing PSSM I am just checking

Also I have had him for a year and a bit and he has only displayed this level of behavior since Christmas. There have been some minor hiccups but they are to be expected with any horse.

I know you aren't dismissing it, SS, I'm not criticising, I'm trying to help you work out what's happening early if Kevin doesn't keep up his improvement. . I had one of mine for a year before he gave any symptoms, and both got worse at coming up seven than they were at six, on the same level of vitamin E.

I have my fingers crossed for you that he stays as bright and (very) bushy tailed as he looks at the moment. He's one of my favorite horses on the forum.

 

[Annagain]

Great news. Hope everything continues on an upwards trajectory!