Sig's Excellent European Adventure

[Meredith]

super photos. The clocks change makes a great difference

 

[SibeliusMB]

Looks like Sig has torn his DDFT. Rescan next week to confirm, see the extent, and get a plan together for treatment.

I am crushed and feeling very beaten down.

 

[Nicnac]

Oh that's a bummer but good rehab and should have positive outcome. Why can't horses do these things when the weather is crap and box rest is less of a pain? HHO vibes for good recovery soonest.

 

[Peglo]

So sorry to hear this. He’s been looking so great and you’ve both been having so much fun.
Will keep my fingers crossed for your scan next week. It’s easy to feel crap until you know what your working with and have a plan. Take care of yourself.

 

[Annagain]

Oh no, poor Sig and poor you. Hoping the rescan is more positive.

 

[Ratface]

Some years ago, Arrogant Arabian did a DDFT. It was before I bought him, during his professional show jumping career. He was turned away for a year and came back hacking sound.
I've jumped him over small rustic things whilst out (having checked the landing and take-off beforehand). He's still capable of doing this, but it boils his brains, so in the interests of Health & Safety, we very rarely do so.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Gutted for you but don't panic, wait till you get the full picture and can plan for recovery.

 

[Michen]

Looks like Sig has torn his DDFT. Rescan next week to confirm, see the extent, and get a plan together for treatment.

I am crushed and feeling very beaten down.

S*** I am so sorry. Huge hugs

 

[Tarragon]

Feeling sorry for you and your lovely horse :-(
You hear of people recovering from torn DDFT all the time (mainly footballers!), so hopefully a full recovery is possible. It might just take a long time.

 

[Trouper]

So sorry to read this. Sending positive vibes for something small which can heal well.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Wrong thread!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Horses are such an emotional Rollercoaster. So sorry to hear this. Hoping for the best possible outcome for him!

 

[Goldenstar]

That’s really bad news to hear .

 

[Kunoichi73]

Sorry to hear this. Sending positive vibes to help with recovery.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Don’t despair..a good rehab plan meant a friends horse..who was originally written off..is out competing in ODE s again….

 

[SibeliusMB]

Took Sig into NEH today for a workup and scan. We had two vets out in the last week to the yard and both were quite convinced he had done in his DDFT, an initial scan supported that possibility.

Well....after today's scan, we are CAUTIOUSLY optimistic that the swelling and shadows on the ultrasound are residual hematoma from whacking his leg on the fence, rather than a tear of the DDFT. It's still possible that Sig has a tear starting, but orthopedic specialist is thinking it's just swelling that needs to break up and dissipate. We'll re-scan him in two weeks to confirm either way. In the meantime he's continuing his outdoor box rest for the next week or so and we'll be gradually reintroducing some paddock time and hand walking.

I have been so anxious about this the last several days. The thought of having to send him to a long term rehabilitation facility, or possibly make a very difficult call if the injury was bad enough and he couldn't tolerate a long term box rest situation, has had me in a very unhappy place lately. I don't want to get my hopes up, but today's news was so welcome.

Many thanks to my friends here for keeping me from a complete breakdown, and my yard owner and her amazing family for doing everything in their power to make Sig happy and comfortable.

Thank you all for the good thoughts! Please keep them up so hopefully we get the all clear in two weeks!

 

[Nicnac]

Well that's cautiously very positive! Let us know how he gets on.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

My last horse had a hematoma on his DDFT. I saw the swelling and thought the worst. Fortunately he ended up being just fine upon rescan a few weeks later. So that's really the best case scenario if it is that...which I hope it is.

 

[ycbm]

Phew! Fingers crossed for the next scan.
.

 

[timbobs]

Fingers crossed for the next scan but it’s sounding positive!

 

[southerncomfort]

That's much better news!

Keeping everything crossed that he heals quickly.

 

[Squeak]

Crossing everything that it is just a bit of swelling rather than a tear.

 

[Annagain]

Well this has put a small smile on my face this morning. Doing a haematoma dance (much like the pus dance but the movement is higher up) here. Wiggy recently had a (far more straightforward) heamatoma on his shoulder and it's taken about a month to dissipate.

 

[Trouper]

Yeah. Some positive hope there but will still keep fingers crossed.

 

[SibeliusMB]

So we're alive and mostly healthy. Sig's injury was just a hematoma and he did fully recover over the summer. He was back to work in late July, but just as I was getting into a rhythm, I got hit with multiple mortuary cases (deaths) on base and spent the next couple months too exhausted and burned out to do anything with Sig. Then cue major depression and panic attack all from work so...I've hit rock bottom personally and trying to find my footing again. So he's had an extended holiday with only the occasional ride. He also got his shoes pulled a couple months ago and I'm hoping he can remain barefoot the rest of his career. So far his feet look good, but we just left our yard for a new one, and the yard we just left was basically completely saturated and we couldn't get him out of the wet. The new yard is much drier and I'm hoping now that he's settled we can start getting back to work. We're basically starting from scratch now, so it will be a long road back to fitness and doing any meaningful jumping work.

Work has been completely stressful and terrible and I've made the decision to move back to the States this summer when the time comes instead of extending here in the UK. I have NO desire personally to return Stateside, I love it here. But there have been many signs from the universe that it's time to leave, so I'm finally choosing to listen. Sig and I will be returning to Lexington, Kentucky this summer. I'm getting out of the military (active duty anyway, I may transition to the Reserves) and starting a new civilian career. I'm looking forward to putting down roots, enjoying my friends, and living in such a huge mecca for horses again. This time I plan to fully enjoy it.

I've already found a long list of farms that will work for Sig. I have many more full time pasture board (grass livery) options there, with indoor and outdoor arenas and fabulous hacking, all for less than half of what I am paying now.

Some photos from the last few months. Right now he is furry and fat and he get his hair cut/trace clip next week to mark the comeback.

 

[Sheep]

Thank you for updating, and I hope you’ll continue to document your adventures.
So sorry for the personal struggles - it sounds very tough. Xx

 

[rextherobber]

Sorry you've had a difficult time, and very best wishes with the next chapter. Sig looks fab!

 

[Peglo]

I read about this on instagram and I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles. I hope you keep us updated on how you and Sig are doing once you leave for Kentucky.

 

[Reacher]

Sorry you are having a tough time. Wishing you all the best for your remaining time in the uk and return to the USA.

 

[Trouper]

Thanks for the update and the photos. I'm sorry that the job has spoilt the experience of the UK for you and to hear about the stresses you have been under but it is good to know that Sig is doing well.

Will look forward to reading all about his return journey when the time comes!!