|
|
Discussion on "Playing" while healing
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 1:30 pm:
Our 15yr old TB Justin, has sustained a suspensory ligament injury. He had a themography scan two days ago that showed inflammation on the tendon and is scheduled to go to the ultrasound specialist in our area next week to confirm the extent of the injury to the area.
My daughter and I realize that we have a few months of healing ahead of us and are wondering how to use this down time to "play" with him.
For example, my daughter (14) was thinking this could be a good time to learn some other aspects of horsemanship like Halter Showmanship (exnaying the trotting of course) to pass the time, help alleviate boredom, and promote the ongoing bonding that we have with Justin. There is a woman at our barn that gives classes, so it is pretty conveinient. Of course, nothing will be done without checking in with the vet for his go ahead.
Are there some simple non-leg stressful tricks we could teach him? What have other members done with their horses during long term healing periods that were fun, safe and enjoyable?
Thank you for your thoughts,
Debra
|
Member:
Ribbons
|
Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 3:10 pm:
When my daughter and her horse had a similiar injury last year. I, too, thought about lining up some other ground training for them to do on their time off. We discovered that all the hand grazing and controlled exercise required took more than enough time. All that time together on the ground was really beneficial as her horse now really trusts her. She is now the "willing, submissive, and bold" horse that eventers like my daughter love. They are now back to competing at their former level and winning. Not to talk you out of the classes at your barn-just sharing our experience.
One last piece of unsoliticed advice, I followed Dr. O's controlled exercise regimen which was stricter than that of our vets and I am so glad we did as the horse is going so well now. Thanks, Dr. 0!
|
Member:
Canter
|
Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 4:24 pm:
Hi Debra,
When my mare was on 4 months of stall rest last summer/fall, I taught her to come when called. Since I had to hand walk her anyway, at the end of each session, I put some treats in my pocket and asked her to stand. I then walked out away from her, keeping her on the lead line. If she followed, which she did at first, I just asked again for a whoa until she stood still, then rewarded her. Once we were facing each other, I asked her to come and gave a gentle tug of the lead rope. When she got to me, I rewarded with another treat. Eventually I used a lunge line so that I could extend the distance (being careful that all the energy from the rest didn't send her flying around on the lunge).
It gave us both something different to think about after months of walking around an arena. And so far, it's (mostly!) worked when I go out to the pasture to get her
|
Member:
Vickiann
|
Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 7:14 pm:
You could probably do some of the Parelli games with your horse. Their latest level 1 DVD's are pretty good at explaing them. Some things might be too strenuous, but those you could use would improve your communication and teach you "horse language."
|
Member:
Brandi
|
Posted on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - 3:10 am:
This may not apply well to your situation, but I have a 16.1++ emotional gelding who has been on stall rest with rehab since July. Since horses are more emotional and reactive when their heads are up, I've spent tons of time working on "head down", and can now bridle my horse while I'm kneeling on the ground...he gives me his head and very willingly opens his mouth for the bridle. There are tons of uses for teaching a horse to lower his head, but this was my 'goal'. He also hated/refused to have his ears handled, and now I am allowed to not only rub, pet and poke his ears, but I am allowed two quick passes with the clippers on each ear. Pretty major stuff for this fellow. All of this was done by Parelli method, not from DVD's but I took lots of classes. During handwalking, once vet approved, I began lots of lateral work to keep my horse as fit as possible and to break the boredom of 20 rings around the pasture.
Good Luck!
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 1:37 am:
Just a progress report. We took Justin for his eight week ultrasound checkup and the news is good! The ultrasound measurements that reflect the amount of swelling have been significantly reduced and the fibers are lining up straight.
We are leaving for Alaska on Sunday, so he will be handwalked for 45 minutes per day while we are gone and then we can start riding at the walk under saddle for 30 minutes per day with a five minute increase every week for three weeks.
We will then go back for another ultrasound recheck (six weeks) to see if we can start introducing a minute of trotting.
I shared with Dr Gillis the news that her rehab program was featured on this website and she was modestly pleased. She shared more of her background and interest in tendon/ligament function and repair which was informative and thought provoking..
Thank you to all the folks above for your encouragment and good wishes. We still have a ways to go, but are thrilled seeing our efforts making progress.
Smiles,
Debra
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 6:38 am:
Thanks for the update Debra and we will keep our fingers crossed.
DrO
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 12:01 pm:
Your welcome DrO. I appreciate the good wishes.
Debra
|
Member:
Frances
|
Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 1:48 pm:
Debra: that's wonderful news - so glad to hear Justin's making such good progress.
DrO: do you agree with Brandi's vet's opinion that lateral work is ok when rehabbing ligament injuries?
Many thanks
Lynn
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 11:46 pm:
Hi Lynn,
Thank you. I'm glad you responded.. I recall that you asked about walking uphill during rehab. We also have a slight grade at our barn and I was looking for a variation in the route..I called Dr Gillis's office and her assistant stated that uphill on a mild grade is OK as long as the horse is not "shifting to a lower gear " to walk the grade. The idea is to avoid putting a lot of front load on their forequarters and have them pushing off on their front legs.
When we start the walking under saddle in a few weeks, Dr Gillis stated that we could do walk/halt transitions, side passes (three steps)in from the rail and three steps to the rail. We are not to do turns on the forehand or haunch pivots until she oks those at a later date.. I am not sure at what point in her program lateral work will be ok'd in the foreseeable future..
I reread Brandi's post and my hat's off to anyone who spent nine months rehaabing an injury..I hope your gelding is doing well Brandi..
Lynn, I do hope your horse is progressing well in its recovery..
Smiles,
Debra
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 6:19 am:
When you introduce any work during recovery would be a judgement call LL and certainly it should not occur until healing is well underway. I would be more worried about attempting to train the horse during recovery than I would allow a horse that already knows how because of possible missteps that put a strain on the tendon. Much depends on how hard you press it.
DrO
|
Member:
Sunny66
|
Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 1:26 pm:
Great news Debra! I'm so happy for you!
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 11:53 pm:
Thank you Aileen,
The happiest person in the world right now is my 14 year old daughter. She went with me to the recheck and was fascinated by the ultrasound. Dr Gillis was sweet about answering her questions and reassuring her that with time, her boy will be rideable. I'm glad we will be in Alaska for the next three weeks to make the countdown to riding 30 minutes under saddle not seem so long!
I hope Brave is doing well.
Smiles,
Debra
|
Member:
Frances
|
Posted on Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 - 7:56 am:
Debra: many thanks for your detailed answer. So, a slight uphill incline is ok as long as it's taken in stride - what about coming back down again? This is looking ahead (as at present we're just on 30 mins in hand a.m., and 10 mins p.m.) but basically to leave the barn I have to go left, downhill, or right, uphill. In both cases the ground is hard and stony. Left, however, is only like that for a few metres, and then flattens out. Of course, it involves the same stony few metres uphill on the return. Hmmm.... I can ask my vet (the 2nd one) how the ground looks to him when we have the next ultrasound.
Have a great time in Alaska - I'm sure you and your daughter need a break!
DrO: Yes, you're right, and I'd rather err on the side of caution. My horse is used to lateral work, but of course she's out of practice and, as you say, a misstep could cause strain.
I handwalk her in a de-gogue quite frequently these days - she concentrates much better, and I believe it should help keep her muscles toned to some extent.
Many thanks for your advice
|
Member:
9193
|
Posted on Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 - 2:12 pm:
Hi Lynn,
It sounds like you and I have similar geographical situations. To get to the level part of the road, I have to lead Justin down a noticable incline which is rocky and hard. We just take our time and go on from there. I did try going down the sloping incline that I normally glide up, but I felt uneasy watching the amount of load on his forequarters and he seems to have more of a tendency for his front hooves to slip in the leaf litter that covers the path. So I err on the side of going uphill gently, level as much as possible and where we do have to go downhill we just take our time.
What is a de-gogue? Is that a type of bridle? What week of walking rehab are you in? (Six weeks if you are at 40 minutes I am guessing?)I hope by the time I come back, you are posting a notice that you can start (or have started) riding your mare 30 minutes a day!
Thank you for the vacation wishes.. We are looking forward to this trip and looking forward to the next step with Justin when we get back!
You are very welcome and if you have any questions that I can answer let me know.. I usually have a list of twenty questions to ask Dr Gillis when I see her, so I am happy to share her recommendations on similar questions.
Smiles, Debra}
|
Member:
Frances
|
Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 7:12 am:
Hi Debra,
I'm very encouraged to hear that although you've had to include some short stretches of rocky inclines in your daily walking program, you have still had such good ultrasound results (phtu phtu). The ideal situation is pretty hard to come by, isn't it?
A de-gogue is a training aid which encourages the horse to lower its head and stretch/develop its back muscles. I suppose it depends on the horse, but my mare took to it very happily once she got the idea. (Apparently you can ride in it too, but this I wouldn't recommend.)
Yes, we're at the six weeks point. Do you also divide your daily walk into two parts? My vet suggested it, and I quite like the idea of continuing to move her a little in the evening - and of not going on too long in the morning.
Thanks again for sharing your info and experiences. Happy vacation!
Lynn
|
|
|
