Patience, and yet more patience - ideas on rehab & longer term?

milliepops

milliepops

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As each week passes, it becomes more and more clear that dear old Millie has more or less checked herself into a retirement village. She had surgery for partially torn SDFT attachments in June. At the time vets expected a full recovery as the injury looked lots better than they had thought from external examination. Needless to say, it hasn't been what we hoped and she is still a bit wonky.

She's hacking happily in walk, the unlevel way of going wears off after a bit of trot and vet has said we should continue getting her fit with the hope that the remaining lameness is just adhesions which can be worked through. (Bute trial gave no improvement). Can't do a lot off road now because a half decent footing is needed.

She's doing a bit in the school to keep her supple and we are up to 10min trot and starting a bit of canter. It's not the old Millie though and I'm struggling with it personally - even if she came sound I know I couldn't push her to go back to competition, but on the other hand I don't think I want her to retire. Retired horses seem to get 'old' so quickly and she was working so well before this injury, certainly looked younger than her 19 years. Plus she is easier to manage when mentally stimulated a bit.

So... over to HHO - any ideas on what we can do now? She's happy hacking and tbh it suits me because I can ride and lead her and Kira, but it will be harder during the week as the nights draw in. Anything else we could do where it won't matter if she's not 100% all the time? Ideally something that will keep her supple and fairly fit, and also keep me motivated rather than despondent :o she was my competition-horse-of-a-lifetime so seeing her like this is hard going.
 
I spent last winter when hacking limited doing a fair bit of 'straightness training' in hand work, I certainly think it helped F keep toned without putting too much pressure on anything so would be ok if she wasn't 100% some of the time and helps them stay in shape, and support all their dodgy bits more than just hacking. I learned a fair bit too :).
 
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Sort of in this situation with my TB mare, can't even do forest rides etc as she has sensitive footsies :(

Would you like a sharer, or you looking for something to do with her yourself??

Would you give her the winter off, and start again in the spring, just to make sure that extra rest doesn't completely solve the problem??

Also have a hug x

Fiona
 
ester said:
I spent last winter when hacking limited doing a fair bit of 'straightness training' in hand work, I certainly think it helped F keep toned without putting too much pressure on anything so would be ok if she wasn't 100% some of the time. I learned a fair bit too :).
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Good idea, hadn't thought of that. I will investigate. It's hard thinking of things to do with a horse that you know isn't sound, you know? Can't get my head around it, but I know it's in her best interests and I am certain she is not suffering.

Fiona said:
Would you like a sharer, or you looking for something to do with her yourself??

Would you give her the winter off, and start again in the spring, just to make sure that extra rest doesn't completely solve the problem??

Also have a hug x

Fiona
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Thanks! I'm a bit fed up tbh, but she isn't, so we have to keep going! I don't think she's sharer material really - quite feisty and it would be tempting to let her rip up the gallops at the end of the road (she'd love it) so I'd struggle with giving up control of that - I can trust myself to be boring and only do dull stuff that won't exacerbate anything. I feel like she needs a job though - like, she could teach people how to do their lateral work but only in a very part time way rather than being drilled.

I don't think rest is going to do it plus we are limited with turnout in the wet, so an old creaky horse standing in wouldn't be ideal :( I think we'd be looking at pts if we got to that point sadly, which seems OTT at this stage as she is still so chirpy.
 
Yup I know, until most recent situation I do think that limited school work was doing Frank the world of good with better musculature to support joints etc. Obviously just finding our feet with new workload options for him. He won't be schooling any more but if I were home with him I would keep up the straightness training. I'll send you some links. Some of it is a little on the 'fluffy' side for me but actually with an open mind it has been interesting ;). My friend has been doing some with her recovering from pneumonia, lost all muscles TB and has found it really good for him too. It's about doing things correctly, in a relaxed and concentrating manner, engaging only the right bits and not holding tension elsewhere.
 
I don't think showing interests you, vague memory from previous thread, but if she is sound enough by next spring some veteran classes would be lower impact on her but could still give you an aim, with her education she will be able to do them with no real pressure , far easier in many ways than dressage and will give you a reason to pamper her.
Work on long reins, straightness training would be good for her physically and mentally.
 
Ohh yes I'm on the Veteran Horse Society FB page, and they are lovely lovely people. The Championships at Bury Farm looked fabulous :)

Obviously I'm too far away for the shows though :(

Great idea be positive

Fiona
 
I've also been doing straightness work with my horse to hopefully bring him back sound, and it works and he kind of enjoys it - he gained a cm on his back in a couple of months when the saddler took a mould of his shape. I don't do the proper ST work though, just have groundwork lessons with a classical instructor and use a bridle rather than a cavesson with a chain nose. I tried to do the work from the ground in trot the other day by myself, that was interesting!

I've also been doing some raised pole work, as again good for his back, although not sure if that would be suitable with her injury? The pole pods are great.
 
be positive said:
I don't think showing interests you, vague memory from previous thread, but if she is sound enough by next spring some veteran classes would be lower impact on her but could still give you an aim, with her education she will be able to do them with no real pressure , far easier in many ways than dressage and will give you a reason to pamper her.
Work on long reins, straightness training would be good for her physically and mentally.
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Hmmm she would probably like showing as well, she does seem to like going out to parties and going on the box cheers her up no end. Perhaps I'll have to get on board with that! I know literally nothing about veteran showing, would they overlook her ugly leg as an old lady's war wound or would it be a stumbling block? She's got one thickened check lig (front leg) and now a pretty big windgall on this newly mangled hind.

Can't do any lunge type work as not allowed in our school but long reining is not a problem and we both quite enjoy it, so def something to explore.
 
stencilface said:
I've also been doing some raised pole work, as again good for his back, although not sure if that would be suitable with her injury? The pole pods are great.
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I was going to ask the vet about poles, because if it is adhesions limiting movement rather than pain *as such* I would have thought that something that encourages her to flex the joint more would be of benefit. Vet is very engaged and on speed dial so it's easy enough for me to check that.
 
Taken from the rulebook

Horses/ponies that have suffered injuries in the past resulting in scarring or blemishes will not be
penalised within the marking system, providing the horse/pony has completely recovered and is
showing no signs of discomfort

MARKING SYSTEM
1. Both in-hand and ridden classes will be marked as follows:
 Performance & manners 50 marks
 Condition for age, suppleness & turnout 50 marks
2. In the event of a tie, the ‘performance & manners’ mark will take precedence.
3. Marks are only awarded for walk, trot and canter. Any other movements will not be marked.
4. Over-weight or under-weight horses will be marked down.


Her blemish should not count against her and her history should work in her favour.
 
haha Do I have to buy more tack for that though?! I'm happy in my dressage garb, does this require tweed and brown leather :eek3:
 
milliepops said:
haha Do I have to buy more tack for that though?! I'm happy in my dressage garb, does this require tweed and brown leather :eek3:
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Tweed preferably but until you get really into it the dressage tack without the white squares and bling browband will be fine, she is probably a riding horse type so you are allowed a fancy velvet one.
 
be positive said:
Taken from the rulebook

Horses/ponies that have suffered injuries in the past resulting in scarring or blemishes will not be
penalised within the marking system, providing the horse/pony has completely recovered and is
showing no signs of discomfort

MARKING SYSTEM
1. Both in-hand and ridden classes will be marked as follows:
 Performance & manners 50 marks
 Condition for age, suppleness & turnout 50 marks
2. In the event of a tie, the ‘performance & manners’ mark will take precedence.
3. Marks are only awarded for walk, trot and canter. Any other movements will not be marked.
4. Over-weight or under-weight horses will be marked down.


Her blemish should not count against her and her history should work in her favour.
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Ah fabulous.
Perhaps this is going to be the kind of showing that I can get on with!
 
Thanks guys, I really appreciate it - she means everything to me and has been an excellent partner who owes me nothing, but I don't really want her pensioned off at this stage unless absolutely forced to. Anything that gives us a reason to get out and about keeping her active is a great help.

Would never have considered showing but actually it makes perfect sense in terms of workload and keeping our collective spirits up so I will look into it, plus the straightness training would complement everything we've done to date by the sound of it. Can't tell you how much you've all cheered me up, I was so down in the dumps about it all.
 
I have nothing useful to add but I am sorry you are going through this with your mare. She has landed on her feet with you. X
 
In all honesty I wouldn't work her in More than walk- if that. She is lame I'd unsound Ie she adjusts her stride because it is painful for her not to so why would you want to ride a horse in pain be it minor?
 
SusieT said:
In all honesty I wouldn't work her in More than walk- if that. She is lame I'd unsound Ie she adjusts her stride because it is painful for her not to so why would you want to ride a horse in pain be it minor?
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I can see why you would say that if you didn't know the situation - as mentioned in my OP this is work under the vet's instructions, she is under a top equine clinic and I am in regular contact with one of their senior vets. A high dose bute trial made no difference to her way of going, so when all of my professionals (vet, farrier, physio) are telling me to keep trying to work through what appears to be a mechanical lameness rather than a painful condition, why would I retire her *at this stage*.

Retirement will be a last resort for us - I can't just find her a nice retirement grass livery as the loan agreement she is covered by states she must be stabled at night, and I don't believe stabling her would be to her benefit if she is just left to get stiff over the winter months. She is bright and happy and enjoying her light work, she chose to canter across her field yesterday on turnout so I really don't believe she is suffering.
 
It sounds as if she is stiff rather than sore and it may well be that the more she does the less stiff she becomes but just wanted to comment on the bizarre terms of the loan agreement, can that be changed now she is older and it may be in her best interests to stay out at night at least for most of the year and if she had to retire then being out 24/7 with shelter must be the best way to keep her, or any other horse.
I would contact them at some point and see if they can do a new contract that will take into account her age, change in circumstances, vets recommendations and above all the fact that you have cared for her for so long it is you that knows her, her needs and in reality she is "your" horse that you only want the best for, their terms may not be in her best interests in the future, it is an unusual condition and one that may prevent others going to the ideal home if it is a standard part of their rehoming agreement, having a stable available is one thing but stabling at night as standard seems very restrictive.
 
agree 100% bp, it's a weird thing to stipulate particularly in the case of older horses which particularly benefit from moving about :) She has a better wardrobe than me and would be extremely happy outdoors pottering about. I now have a very sensible inspector on board and it is something I could probably now address with them in the next year or so. I've found in the past they have been quite rigid, even with very long term borrowers (I'm still quite junior after only 13 years, lol)
 
Nothing much to add from me, but you're making me want to bring Doodle back out with all this talk of veteran showing :D.

Though with regards then declining with no real purpose, I was very worried about this with Doodle, compounded with nearly 9 months in total, box rest last year. She came out of it looking dreadful but a summer of grass and hacking and she looks amazing again and appears not to really miss her parties...

Still loves it when we do take her out though, beach trips and the gallops are her fave (obviously a very different injury/ reason for retiring!)

They do adapt to a slower pace of life, but gentle ticking over is keeping mine looking fab and now her feet are almost done (:eek:) we're debating trying to maybe let her do a bit more at the grand old age of 23 (24 next year how did that happen!), so it might seem unlikely but give her time and she may surprise you :).
 
Folllowing with interest. My best mate at the barn brought her 19 year old Hannoverian back to work very slowly for the best part of last year after a tendon injury. A few weeks ago, he's done it again to the same tendon, pratting around the field, though not nearly as bad. No swelling in the tendon and he's only a wee bit lame at the trot.

She handwalks him on short hacks with me. Like milliepops, we are wondering what other work could be done, either in hand or in the walk, to strengthen the tendon. Nothing is helped of course by the fact that it's very difficult under the best of circumstances to get him working in a nice outline or bending. Before he hurt himself, we'd gone back to square one in terms of training, just trying to get him forward off the leg.

He's a huge guy, 17.3hh, with the mentality of a 5 year old, which is probably how he hurts himself playing with his friends. He doesn't know he's 19.
 
If she improves enough to do some veterans classes that would be a good way to keep her amused and going out. but I am with be positive in that trying to have her able to live out with a proper shelter would be better for her at this point. perhaps they would ammend the agreement to sat stabled at night or with a shelter that is approved by the inspector? that may take less for them to agree than removing the stabled at night part. hope you can get something sorted out with them that works for her.
 
I started arena trec with my old pony. You can do it all at walk if you want, and any obstacles you don't want to do you can leave out. My pony loved it but we have had to retire her again due to liver problems. It was great fun and not too taxing for pony or rider!!
 
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