Losing my mind

[BenjaminBunny]

I could use some supportive words

I have posted my story in various different threads, but to cut a long story short

I bought my first horse in April of this year, he passed a stage 5 vetting - the vet said to me he was a fantastic horse who once he gained some muscle would be brilliant

I was over the moon

One month down the line (once I had got a saddle professionally fitted) and I began to ride him - he was brilliant until one day he started being odd - really on the forehand and head shaking - there was no lameness so i put this down to him taking the micky as I was a bit nervous and not riding him to the best of my ability.... this was due to him not being ridden for a month (although I had lunged him alot)

Anyway he was then an arse with the farrier (previously was fine) this was the second time I had him shod - so i called the vet out - subsequent x-rays and scans showed suspensory ligament desmitis in the hind limbs - so complete box rest with shockwave therapy followed - over 1 month - then scanned - the ligaments had healed nicely - then was walking him in hand building to 1 hour over the next 6 weeks - again another scan then ridden work in walk and building trot into the equation - it took alot for me to do this after at this point he had been on box rest for along time and was rather like an unexploded bomb...

anyway things were progressing slower than i would have liked more from my issues than his - but i was getting there as was he

but then two weeks ago the farrier came and whacked a nail in too high - my horse has never stood perfectly for the farrier - so that wouldn't have helped the situation - but at that point he barged - reared and did all sorts - so the farrier finished it off to the best of his ability - but it got dangerous so i called the vet and farrier back out the following day to sedate him and re do his shoe

after the intial shoeing my horse was stonking lame - the vet confirmed that it was a nail thing and nothing more serious so the farrier re did the shoe then i was told give him a week off ridden work - and see how he is - if he's not right in two weeks call back

after a week he was getting better - no heat in it but was still a little lame - so i thought give him another week as i say the vet said sometimes these things take time - then he suddenly got worse again the heat returned to the foot - i believe this to be from charging around the field (he came in sweaty one night) this is as the field he was in is also access to several others and people start bringing their horses in at about 4pm but i don't get there until 5.30pm - now he isn't left alone but he charges about cos he thinks it's me going to get him everytime someone walks up

after this i kept him in over the weekend and he heat is gone again - he's gone back out today (after all the box rest from the ligament i'm reluctant to keep him in unless absolutely neccessary)

anway it's now been two weeks and I'm currently trying to get in touch with the vet

but i can honestly say i'm fed up and frustrated - i bought a horse in April and have barely ridden him - i feel like i was conned by the people i bought him from - i feel like no matter what i do to help him things go wrong and i'm worried he will never be able to do what I want to do (hacking and dressage)

all i do in muck out (been mucking out since May), when he was in twice a day when he's out once a day - i've spent a fortune in vets fees (i'm insured but had to pay excesses)

I just want him to be ok

 

[dixie]

Don't despair too much. You had bad luck with the farrier, so it's not the horses fault and not a serious condition.

If he's getting upset at bedtime could you arrange for someone to bring him in for you?

I've got a horse like this whom I bred. He's had very intermitent training because there always something wrong. But as it's not the same thing I try not to panic too much as he is a lovely horse when he is actually going !

On the positive side at least he's had a decent rest to give his ligament to heal and when he comes right you can crack on.

Good luck and fingers crossed.

 

[BenjaminBunny]

Thanks Dixie

My husband works up the road from the yard and has started to bring him in at about 1pm - this was following the charging incident - as I turn him out at about 7.30am he gets plenty of time out

i guess i'm just fed up of dealing with injuries

 

[the watcher]

The long term prognosis for your horse, given that you want to do dressage and hacking, is very good and you have to keep sight of that. If you had wanted to event him things would be a bit different. You have hit a time of year where we are all shovelling and sliding around in the dark with you, hopefully in spring you will be riding out along with the rest of us and this will all be a distant memory!

 

[BenjaminBunny]

Thanks nopudding i just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel at the moment

i've spent so long looking at the bright side of things and staying positive that i think we all can only take so much

 

[_OC_]

I know how your feeling,been there and wore the T-Shirt !!!!! ...and towards the end started to feel resentful I had 4 years of get the horse fixed up and then she do something else that would end up in long spells of box rest and large vet bills...(Petplan where excellent!!!)....it is when you ask for the claim form yet again...and quote"Your not very lucky are you!!!)that you think Why Me....so yes I understand and it is worse when it's this time of the year...chin up it will get better and you will look back and think it was not as bad as I thought it just seem's tough at the time..

 

[evsj]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks nopudding i just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel at the moment

i've spent so long looking at the bright side of things and staying positive that i think we all can only take so much

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel the same, some days! My horse has always been injury-free til this summer and she is now 2 months into a 6 month rest following a mild sprain to her tendon. I force myself to repeat in my head that something good will come out of it and be strong - so must you. It is horrid doing all the hard work and not getting the joy but then again, I quite enjoy not feeling pressured to ride on those nights when there is a howling gale outside! I have been nearly in tears while mucking out at the unfairness of it all too! You should have a really good bond with your horse when you do get back on him and long-term, his prognosis is good so you will be able to enjoy yourselves next year. I have thought about having the occasional private lesson on a dressage schoolmaster to give me something to look forward to but have had a couple of horses to ride for others instead.

You are not alone - there's loads of us one-horse owners trying to wish away the winter so we can ride again.

 

[Louby]

Thanks for posting this, I feel that Im not alone. Ive had a horse with Navicular, found her a home as a companion. My next horse was sound for about 18 mths, had progresive ringbone was retired then got surgical colic and was PTS. Finally got my boy who I adore, he was a four year old but he had recurring sinus problems that turned out to be a fractured tooth. Needed GA to remove, just got going again and was lame last month for a week and was then kicked in the knee on Thursday and is at Leahurst now with a fractured Knee and Radius. On top of this my mum sadly died in May, my dads been in and out of hospital and Im moving house in 10 days. My head feels like its going to explode.
The last few months before my boys bad accident Ive been saying I wouldnt have another horse after Jay but Ive been without him for only a weekend and Im crawling the walls and couldnt be without one now, I think its sort of bred in you.
Im sure things will get better soon. Hang in there.

 

[brighteyes]

That's the thing -you can't live with them and you can't live without them. Had two really cr@p summers (which fortunately didn't run concurrently, so I had a break) and I struggled to cope with one thing after another (including non-sympathetic OH).

Things WILL improve, you just have to keep going, and we have all been there. Return trip highly likely as well!

Good luck

 

[Jemayni]

God its somewhat humbling to know there are people enduring similar stresses. I have recently come to this conclusion with my horse - he is not a horse, he is some sort of divine test and if I keep shelling out the money, keep walking around the perimeter of the menage and keep smiling, I will be rewarded when I finally die from some form of equine stress related syndrome!

 

[Lucy_Ally]

If he passed a 5* vetting then you can't really blame his old owners for any subsequent injuries and certainly not the nail bind. I understand how frustrated you must feel but hope that you don't get too disheartened - he will get there in the end! Good luck.

 

[Chumsmum]

It seems a lot of us have been through this at one time or another in different degrees and some days are better than others. All I can say is chin up and it will all be worth it in the end.
Take care
C x

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I am so sorry you have had such a tough time, and i do hope things improve for you and your horse, all the best

x