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Discussion on Prognosis Bowed tendon
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 3:52 pm:
The vet was here and did an US...Here's what he said the lesion is on the bottom part of the tendon 50% core lesion...one big black hole from what I could see. This just makes me sick.
Anyway he said if she would tolerate it to lock her in a 12x12 stall until Oct.. The few times I have stalled her she runs circles. He said limiting her steps the best we can is the way to go...no hand walking and the small paddock attached to the lean would probably be ok since she is calm and don't move around that much in there. He also said there was fluid between the ddft and the sdft I don't know what the implication of that is, forgot to ask.
As far as wrapping he said the SMB boots were ok to use for a few hrs. a day and then cold hose or ice it after removal. Leave her on bute as long as she will tolerate it. He said if I put standing wraps on she needed to stand in a stall? I still wonder about those wraps I posted about in the other thread.
I asked why she walked so well and he said tendons don't have nerves or something along those lines....? So horses that damage their tendons don't limp????
He said to not load that tendon for trimming, but it would be fine to roll her toe a bit to help with break over on the bad one.
SOOOOO Dr.O. maybe the questions I have can be ans. now I hope.... In the article it says hand walking is ok if there isn't lameness? Do I understand that right? From what I've read I am confused as if she should be in a stall and not moving (although she will run circles and have a fit) or letting her in the small paddock 18x18 to mostly stand around calmly is better. As we know pasture potato is my goal.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 5:33 pm:
Oh, wow, Diane.
Sorry to hear that you may have to consider confining her, but good to have the facts so you know better about what to do for her.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 8:45 pm:
OUCH.. well all you want is a pasture puff, then i vote for the most comfortable small area she will be happy in.. and no hand walking , as she most likely will walk herself in that area..
Sorry, huge bummer, . . but it could have been worse.. right?
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 9:34 pm:
Diane,
As you already know, I am not the vet and sometimes I do things that are quite unconventional. So, please everyone don't yell at me too much, but in this case, I would go with your gut feeling and leave her in the bigger area and let her take care of herself.
Your mare is almost 30 years old with other problems that confining her will not help. Sticking her in a stall for 6 months might be ok if she was a younger horse that actually was doing something or training for something. But right now for her this is a quality of life issue, so as long as she is eating, drinking, pooping and happy, I'd leave her be. Also, since your mare's injury is fairly new, some of that black hole may be blood and debris from the injury itself and the injury may not be as severe as it seems.
When my 3 year mare bowed her tendon, I was given the exact same advice. My vet gave me a very poor prognosis of her ever making it back to the races. But he did not know me well then and I am very stubborn when I want to be, so I started researching ways to get this horse better. Knowing that this horse did not like being in a stall and would probably do more damage being cooped up, I kept her turned out in a half-acre field by herself. She did receive bute and dexamethasone for 5 days, but after that got no bute and the fill and heat was less and less until the leg looked almost normal. I also used a tens machine on her leg every day for 4-6 hours, for 4 months, I returned her to light work 2 miles a day after two weeks and as she could handle it I got her up to 5 miles a day and she was kept at that mileage through out her rehab and returned to the races 6 months after her injury. Ultrasounds taken every month showed the tendon was healing with very little scar tissue or adhesions. A year later, you could not tell there had ever been a bow on that leg and the ultrasound was normal. My vet was amazed.
Why did I keep moving her? First, to keep the circulation going to the leg and to flush out the debris from the injury. Second, I wanted the tendon to heal as cleanly as possible with as little scar tissue as possible and to have it return as closely as it could to its original state. The only way to do this is with almost constant movement where the adhesions are breaking down (slowly) and proper alignment of the tendon tissue happens. I did her up ( both front legs) every day with diluted alcohol and back out to the field she went.
Horses do heal from bowed tendons, it just takes time, her job from now on will be as a very pretty pasture potato, so in a way your job will be much easier, just keep her happy and comfortable and you and her will be fine.
Rachelle
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Member:
3chip
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 10:13 pm:
AMEN Rachelle! Right on the button advice.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 10:37 pm:
Actually Rachelle that is my theory with this mare also. As always there is a BUT. If she injures that leg any worse in her case it would probably mean Euth. She is old and at her age she doesn't heal as well, plus her other legs are somewhat compromised just from age related things.
I am going to let her remain in her pen as I think stalling her would be worse, she is quiet for the most part, though tonight she was pacing furiously because her supper was late.
Are horses not lame with such an injury?? I didn't think the US picture was very clear, just like the clinics X-ray machine it is an old relic! It took a long time to even get a pic of the tendon to come through. She definitely has a big ole tear in there tho and I have to be careful not to make it worse or as the vet said that will be it for her and I believe that's true
Thanks
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 11:08 pm:
Hey diane
sorry to hear that about Flash. Do you think she can be kept in the pen maybe with a little ace? just to keep her calm.
Best wishes and hugs to flash
Leslie
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 - 11:34 pm:
Rats. Sorry to hear the US results. If its any comfort, my gelding (the world's most accident-prone horse) also suffered a severe tear to his tendon, and it looked just like you describe - a big dark hole on the fuzzy US. But he healed, and I think Flash can too.
I think you are right to consider all factors,ie, her age, what set-up would allow her the most quality of life while maximizing her healing, how to keep her quiet, etc... Consult with the docs, make your plan, create your set-up, and hope for the best. Flash didn't get to be almost 30 years old without being one tough little horse, and I think that spirit and toughness count for a lot.
BTW, tendonitis does hurt. At least it hurts me! Perhaps there is not much nerve tissue in the tendon itself but there definitely is in the surrounding tissues and with swelling, the pain signals start firing. Cold therapy does help reduce pain in part because it helps reduce swelling.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 12:48 am:
I'm sorry about Flash's results, Diane. Since you don't intend to ride her again, I'll bet she heals up enough to decorate your fields a while longer.
I put her where you think she'll move around the least, wherever that is. Have you had a chance to read the articles here on HA about tendons and healing?
When she's in her pen is she near the other horses, or at least one to keep her company? Didn't Ann use a portable pen to let her mare graze with the other horses? Would something like that be possible for her?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 6:18 am:
Yes the pen is right next to the geldings and she can inter act with them from all sides...Hank even reaches over the gates and itches her .
I know with my knee it hurt, and the tendonitis I had in my elbow...she didn't even mind the vet palpating it.
I did read the tendonitis article 100 times
Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 7:57 am:
Hello Diane,
In general we recommend the rehab protocol in the article which after a initial period of rest includes hand walking even if some lameness remains. But with a 50% anechoic core lesion your tendon is worse than a tendon bow. Half or more of the tendon is gone. Is your veterinarian concerned about rupture if you have any exercise? In any case I am sure your veterinarian would agree where she will put the least strain on it will be the best place for her.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 8:14 am:
Yes Dr.O. he is worried about a rupture, that is why he said in a stall. I told him she would run circles and paw the gates he said whatever will keep her quietest and take the fewest steps, would be best. I guess in her case I feel the pen would be better. It's a risk as the vet said it will probably rupture if it gets any worse. I'm kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place I think.
Dr.O. would you expect her to be lame with this diagnosis? The vet said since they really don't feel a lot of pain with such an injury they are prone to re injure it easily?
Her tendon was a little less swollen and a little less heat today. I am still unsure about wrapping it, I really didn't get a straight ans. from the vet.....Thanks
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 9:10 am:
So sorry to hear the news Diane.
As far as the pain or not issue is concerned, I don't know whether tendons and ligaments are the same in this respect, but my horse's suspensory desmitis some years ago was definitely painful at the beginning, to the degree that she would hold up the affected leg. In fact I remember that was the reason my vet didn't want her to have bute, as he felt she might overdo things without the pain.
I sympathize so much with your dilemma over restricting exercise. Hope you find the best solution for her.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 10:02 am:
OK Diane, you might just need to keep a baby sitter horse next to her at all times to keep her calm.. you have more then 2 horses right? I would rotate a horse next to her 24 hrs a day ,, this will give her close company and keep her more or less more settled.. this way the other horses are not being punished to much 'cus they are taking turns 'watching' her.. Believe it or not , they do settle down once the routine has gone into effect .. Remember i had to settle a 3 year old that was used to living in pasture 24/7, the first week was hard on us both.. but as time and our routine stayed the same, she settled down..
NO HILLS / flat level hard ground only..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 10:07 am:
I would expect lameness with any injury to the tendon Diane, is there some question as to whether this is the cause of your horse being lame?
You should wrap to minimize fluid filling around the tendon with a pressure wrap as described at Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Pressure Wraps, Poultices, Cold and Heat Therapy for Swelling in Horse Legs.
DrO
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 11:00 am:
Like everyone else, I'm surprised by the lack of pain with a tendon injury. Just a weird thought - is there any chance the "hole" in the US was an old injury that you didn't know about and that's why there's no pain? The new injury could have agrevated it? Anytime I've had a horse with a tendon injury, they've been really sore.
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 11:01 am:
Diane,
No advice from me, but I hope you come up with a solution for Flash that will keep her from further injury.
Keeping you in my thoughts,
Lilo
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 5:30 pm:
Diane no advice from me either, just best wishes! And I agree that quality of life for her is most important.Could she go in a small movable pen in the grass during summer? Grass might keep her calm?
Jos
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 7:13 pm:
Oh Diane, sorry to hear it. One caution on the "no pain" observation though-- if her other legs are somewhat compromised, the lack of observable lameness may be because she's lame all around, not pain free. It's possible that blocking the other legs would reveal significant lameness on this one, once she had somewhere comfortable to transfer the weight. I have seen this with older horses, and would be slow to say that it didn't hurt w/o blocking the other legs.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 8:59 pm:
Dr.O. that's what I'm saying she is NOT lame, she walks just as well as before she injured herself...BUT the tendon is very swollen and warm so of course there is damage. I put her Smb boots on today and they did help take the swelling down a bit.
Here's a pic of it right after cold hosing today
Here's a video of her walking on 2/17...5 days after injury she has a very noticeable limp and was on good doses of bute at the time.
https://s158.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=https://vid158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/007.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
Here's a video of her tonight pacing for supper. She has no limp, and seems much better..but the swelling and heat are worse, She had 1 gram of bute 24hrs. before this video.that's about as rambunctious as she gets right before feed time
https://s158.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=https://vid158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/013-1.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Friday, Mar 20, 2009 - 11:13 pm:
You are saying in the last video that is no limp, and normal for her? I think she's in obvious pain. I am thinking along the same lines as Elizabeth, pain all around.
Just my opinion, based on my limited experience.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 2:10 am:
HMMM No I don't see a limp when she is walking straight. It is small area so maybe that's why you think she looks sore she doesn't really get her stride out.. I don't want to get her out and walk her for a video. The vet even said she was walking well.
Compared to the 1st video I think there is a big difference. She's always has kind of "lumbered" along in her late years...but I think she looks even? In the beginning she is walking up a slight slope in the paddock when she turns and goes straight she is on mostly flat ground.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 7:43 am:
Here's the video of her walking outside before the vet ordered lock up...I had this in the other thread, but she is walking this well now even better actually. She does need her hooves trimmed the farrier canceled until Tues. But yes this is how she always walks
https://s158.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=https://vid158.photobucket.com/albums /t90/scooter_098/028.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 8:28 am:
DianeE, I see what appears to be lameness (shortness and headbob greater than I would have expected) at a walk, a gait that makes it hard to see lameness and localize its source. It really requires a consistent trot to evaluate.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 8:37 am:
Ok thanks Dr.O. don't think we'll be trotting for awhile. Maybe she has been lame before this happened and I never realized it, just thought it was her "way of going" I think I have a video of her before the accident, will have to look.
Thanks
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 10:09 am:
I couldn't find a good video of her from before the accident. I have to say I have been pondering this, and the reason I retired her about 5 yrs. ago was because of a subtle lameness in that left front.
I guess it's quite possible she had some tendonitis that I wasn't aware of and her slipping was the "straw that broke the camels back". I never really checked it out, and wrote it off as arthritis.
Interesting..Thanks. Hopefully she will recover, she does walk as well as she ever has for years, and I just thought that was "normal for her" in her late years.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 11:02 am:
Hey Diane, I just got around to looking at the videos, and have to concur she looks uncomfortable. However, I'm wondering if she has more than one thing going on and if some of the lameness we are seeing is arthritis. She moves a lot like my old mare does on cold mornings when I first open her door - just kind of stiff and ouchy all over. (about the way I feel this morning myself!) Have you felt her other front foot for heat? My other thought is that she may have a little foot soreness going on in the other front foot. But, if nothing there, then I'd suspect some arthritis on top of her injury. Did you say she's tolerate some bute? It really seems to help my mare on those stiff mornings. Of course, you don't want her feeling too good and running around on that tendon, so..... Glad she's your mare! I've got enough problems with my old girls!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 12:50 pm:
Gosh maybe she's been uncomfortable for a long time, I know she has "her days" but mostly they are good days. I just got done brushing her and cleaning the paddock. She was napping in the sun and looks very content, she doesn't seem to be in terrible pain at all...just her normal creakiness.
I am giving her a gram of bute every night right now. She begs for me to take her out for a hand walk.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 2:08 pm:
DianeE
You are right---She does look very content. IMHO.
Keep your chin up
L
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 3:00 pm:
You know her the best, Diane and will figure out the best course of action for her care.
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 3:15 pm:
Hi Diane,
My comment that she may be gimpy all around (and the video tends to confirm that, in my mind) really does NOT speak to her quality of life. The term "pasture sound" exists exactly to describe a horse that is cheerful in spite of lameness. You know the horse best, and are the only one here who can speak to her comfort and attitude.
My only point was that the tendon must hurt; if she isn't favoring that leg heavily, it's possibly because she's trying to favor the others as well.
As a cruel joke, a vet friend once flexed me and had me trot away on hard ground. Suffice to say, I would not pass any pre-purchase exam!
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 5:35 pm:
I just read through this, Diane. It seems, my whole life, I've always had at least one geriatric horse, or have had one in my care. Right now, my QH mare is 29. We've dealt with navicular since the mid-eighties, a sticky stifle that "went out" twice when she was a youngster, but wound up serving her well 'til two years ago. It now gets stiff and sore when she gets silly and charges around. In 2001 she bowed her right front tendon after a "silly" session running around doing rollbacks and slide stops in deep soft sand. Pain? We found her sweating bullets and trembling. The entire leg was swollen. My vet insisted that 21 yr. olds don't tend to bow their tendons ( but, then, she told me later that she never believed me that this old cripple could explode like a banshee and put the younger horses to shame ). But it was a bow, and a severe one. My vet had serious doubts about the outcome. We shaved the leg and treated with DMSO which we washed off after a couple of minutes with mild soap and water. Then we did the hosing, dried the leg and ( per the vet )applied an Antiphlogistine poultice, saran wrap, cotton batting and then a support wrap. We changed this every day or every other day to make sure the leg was OK, and the support wrap wasn't causing pressure anywhere. The vet recommended wrapping both front legs to avoid a bow in the good leg from overuse. I didn't listen ( listened to a friend that said it wasn't necessary - duh ). She popped a bow on the other leg in less than 2 weeks. THEN, I listened. It took a year, using the exercise schedule in Dr.O's article, but she came back.
Unfortunately, she re-bowed it in 2007, ( no fault of her own, this time ). The vet said that she would no longer pre-judge my mare and we went through the modified confinement ( separated from the others, but with ample room to move around, inside and out - and the others held right next to her ). She came through again, although we no longer ride her.
Have faith in your older horse. Flash looks round, perky, interested and bright. Is she stiff and sore? Sure, so am I these days....and so are most of us. But we still have it in us to explode with exuberance at will...like my mare did last December...on frozen ground...slide stops and rollbacks and swapping leads. Took a couple months to recover from severely bruised ( unshod) back feet. ((SIGH))
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 6:07 pm:
Lee you don't know how much better your story made me feel! Thank you. I had been feeling quite down about her today. You have restored my hope!
Your old girl sounds like Flash she will "lumber" around and the next thing you know she is flying around tail flagging and looking great.(before her accident)
I took Hank out today to do some ground work, left Sam in there, but for some reason she focused on Hank leaving and started running around her pen in a panic...Sam ran over to her and stood with her the whole time I had Hank out, I was watching...they do take care of each other.
Thanks Again for the encouraging story
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 - 9:01 pm:
Boy Diane, I sure can relate to what you are going through. My old mare (who at 22 is young compared to Flash) has had a terrible winter due to a flare up of her chronic laminitis. I have agonized over whether or not I am doing the right thing by her. In fact I question myself daily.
Like your mare, my mare Suzy is stiff and sore, but her attitude is bright, great appetite, no complications thus far (knock on wood, make that a very loud knock on wood) and happy to be here with us. I'm lucky in that I've got a great team of vets and farriers on board, and I check in regularly with them because I know that its hard for me to be objective. Her recovery has been slow but there has definitely been progress. Sooo, we continue on, but I am very watchful for any sign that this is no longer what she might choose for herself were she able to speak.
Old age comes with its share of infirmities, and yet, we do have to be alert to that question of quality of life. I know that you are really looking after your girl, you are seeking input from knowledgeable horse people and vets, and ultimately you know better than any of us what she would choose for herself. She's so lucky to have you looking out for her. Hang in there Flash and Diane!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 7:30 am:
Dr.O. according to the tendonitis article I should be hand walking her. Do you recommend hand walking at this point for her injury? Of course I will speak to my vet, I will say he said she should be stalled for 6 mos. She does walk around her pen during the day a bit. IF she is going to heal It would be nice if it healed as strong as possible.
She was US approximately 5 weeks after her injury, when would be the best time to do it again to see if the lesion is filling in? I think the vet used the(old) small animal US and I wasn't real impressed with the picture, Is something like that sensitive enough to monitor this injury?
I told him they should get up to date and get a decent US and digital x-ray machine..but he said unless I pay for it, it won't be happening
Her swelling is going down again, I can feel heat in one spot yet, but it seems to finally be dissipating a bit.
I ordered the boomer bandages and if they don't work I will learn to wrap.
Thank you Everyone for the encouragement, this is one scary injury on an old horse and having no idea what I'm doing makes it much worse. I'm scared of doing something wrong, with this injury I don't think there is a lot of room for error.
Thanks again
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 8:21 am:
Diane,
I am not sure if these Boomer Bandages are going to work, as the most important thing for your mare is support of both her legs and I am not sure if these bandages will do that.
Second, I have a question, will future US change the manner in which you care for this mare, I don't think so, you have been doing a great job with her as it is. I even questioned( in my head) the first US. You knew she had a problem and you were doing everything you could for her which really didn't change once you actually had the diagnosis. Your mare is going to tell you in all her subtle ways whether what you are doing is the right thing.
I would instead invest in a big tub of poultice and put it on her legs with nothing else, no saran wrap, or batting or anything else, while it may be messy it will make her legs feel much better. Reapply it every day after you hose her. If you want to keep the poultice from getting messy, get some polo wraps wet them and put them on over the poultice. This will keep the poultice moist for longer, the saran wrap tends to keep things too warm and winds up sweating the leg instead of cooling it out (IMHO)
Rachelle
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 8:41 am:
Diane,
I know you are doing your best, and when one is worried, it's hard to make all kinds of decisions.
Remember to look into her eyes and let her tell you from her heart & soul how she is doing. Do you see pain there? Or do you see the spark of life there? Does she have a purpose? I think horses are so much like us in that if they are getting attention, and have a "job" to do, they do so much better. I've never understood places that have horses with obvious lameness/pain issues and the horses get fed, and get meds, but are otherwise ignored.
I know you are not treating her like those horses! And I believe she knows it, and it is paying off. She's not acting depressed IMO in the videos, just "off" with stiffness or lameness...kinda like me some days!
BTW, My Arab mare was diagnosed with a bowed tendon years ago. I've never saw a horse in so much pain in my life. She would barely touch the hoof down to the ground. Massive swelling, heat, the whole nine yards. Her head hung down, her eyes were glazed with pain.
Here's the kicker though: The day after the vet diagnosed her with the bowed tendon, I had a new, younger farrier out to trim. He pulled a HUGE rusty nail of out her hoof! She walked off pretty darn good after that! Still had to treat her hoof of course, but she healed quickly.
Don't apply to your situation, but thought you'd enjoy the story.
Hang in there.
PS, I think have a book somewheres on bowed tendon care; I'll look for it.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 9:08 am:
LOL if I go by her spirit she is very happy and full of it! She still has her "attitude" I usually feed in the morning when the sun comes up. Today I was about 10mins. late, she was throwing her head and pacing, and gave me a big old your late whinny when I went out. There is absolutely nothing in her demeanor that suggests she is hurting bad or depressed. When I take her out to cold hose her leg she tries to drag me to the yard for a bite of grass! When I drag the shavings bags around the whites of her eyes show She still hates being brushed and shows her displeasure! She see's me coming with the bute syringe and the whites of her eyes show again...she is very interactive with the other horses, itching with them over the fence, taking naps when they do, she acts just like part of the herd. The boys stay right next to her all day and nap right by her fence in the poop! So all of that is going well. Once in awhile she looks tired, but she is old and tires easier she was like that before the injury. The reason I like walking her is I take her on the paved, flat road and it cleans her hoofs out, at this point the only one I can clean is her injured one.
Rachelle I did order a tub of poultice, as far as the Boomers I figured if they didn't work it's probably not a bad idea to have something like that around anyway. The SMB's actually seem to take the swelling down quite a bit I put them on both legs for the afternoon hours, then cold hose after removal. That seems to be working, the swelling and heat are much better than before this ritual. If she comes out of this I'm pretty sure I will have to "micro manage" her. I am going to make her a small pen in the yard next to the boys so she can graze a bit when the grass comes up, grazing is her favorite thing and our yard is flat...the pasture is not.
Thanks
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 12:36 pm:
I was just going to mention that whether or not you use plastic wrap depends on the type of politce you are using I think. And, Rachelle is right, it's easy to cause a burn with some poltices and some liniments when they are covered, even just covered with polos. So, always be careful about that.
Libby's vet at Alamo Pintado told me to use Arnica on Libby. I bought the oil as it's stronger than the cream, and rubbed it on her. It seemed to help her quite a bit. It might be worth a try.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 1:01 pm:
OK I'll admit I am poultice ignorant.
After reading about the one's on valley vet I decided to get ice tight..seems fairly benign.
https://storesense.megawebservers.com/HS1756/Detail.bok?no=920
Since I am torn between heat and cold therapy I have been doing both. cold on the warm part and heat on the not warm part...how's that for covering all my bases??
It's much easier to take care of her during the weekends, I have been working out of town and very busy with those stupid re-reads so haven't had enough time OR energy to do things right, plus as Dr.O.referred happens, I have been paralyzed by indecision and worry of doing something wrong. Tho I really do think I should stay away from wrapping! When I hurt my knee I wrapped it and could never get it right it was either to tight or too loose, and she can't tell me if it's wrong!
So I have become unparalyzed, will be working in town this week, so hopefully I can make the right decisions and have more time to implement her therapy. I am sure I will be full of stupid questions down the line...Thank you all for your help and suggestions. She really is a joy, I love her opinionated attitude and hope she will give me her opinion when I do something wrong
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 1:05 pm:
Diane, somehow I think that telling you "don't worry so much," is like water off a duck's back, . . . but do take time to breathe and trust your old gal and "Nature" a bit. We can't control everything, and I really think that you are doing the best you can.
While Flash is bathing in the increased attention of her humans and her "boy friends," why not take this time to learn to wrap legs? It's not difficult, and is a good thing to have in your arsenal of choices for rehab or first aid. I bet your husband would let you practice on him while he's watching TV! LOL . . . You'd be "killing two birds with one stone," sort of . . . giving hubby some attention and learning a horse skill at the same time! What could be better?? Hubby's heel could double as the horse's fetlock, and he can tell you if you are wrapping with even pressure or if you are cutting off his circulation . . . LOL . . . Sometimes I wish I could ask my horses, "Does that feel okay?"
Sara W., I had a friend who never used anything but natural "Pain Killers," and she used arnica all the time, in pill form and on her skin or forehead. Said it worked, but I don't think it is very long-lasting.
Has anyone used a "hyDrO-boot" for this type of injury?
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 7:00 pm:
Diane, As far as learning how to wrap: Do you have any friends or neighbors who are nurses or know anyone who have may have taken a Red Cross First Aid Class? They would know how to wrap injuries and its not hard at all to transfer that knowledge to wrapping a horse's leg. Athletic trainers would know how to wrap too.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 8:29 pm:
I haven't used a "hyDrO-boot" but have a thing that circulates ice water. The hospital used it on me after knee surgery and I use it on the horses. It's great for injuries. I hold it in place with a polo wrap.
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 11:10 pm:
Diane, Make your vet show you a proper support wrap. When I removed my mare's support wrap and treated the bow, when the time came to hand walk her, I bandaged a bag of frozen peas to her bow, and walked her ( IN A STRAIGHT LINE )the recommended distance - adjusting the distance if necessary during a setback. The heat remained in the bow for a LONG time, and for as long as the heat was there, I cold hosed and used the frozen peas ( best ice pack in the whole wide world )in a bandage wrap for her walk. After the walk, the support bandage was re-applied. The secret to the support bandage is an ample layer of cotton batting or quilted wrap pads that help you avoid cutting off circulation with the snug bandage. Those pads must be applied smooth, with no folds or wrinkles.
I lost a pony hunter ( old show pony 14.1 hands)at 38 who was stiff and sore every morning, and then hit his stride in the PM while jealously guarding his mares. We ( gently ) rode him right up to 2 wks. before he died. ( euthanized due to strangulated intestine ).
My friend's horse lived to 41. He was a doggin' horse, ropin horse, and heelin' horse in the sixties ( my friend is in his eighties now and competes in team penning - AND HE HURTS CONSTANTLY- except when he is penning ). That old horse's pops and cracks could buckle your knees, and "stiff as a board" couldn't come close to describing this old boy. But he was bright, in good weight, shiny coat and good attitude....no teeth, though. The night he died, he lay down peacefully in his stall - nothing was disturbed - and never woke up.
There's a lot of us out here with blown out knees, horrendous arthritis, bad backs, elbows and wrists. We have carpal tunnel synDrOme, headaches, neckaches and tennis elbow ( not necessarily from tennis ). And there's a few of our best here with RA. We live on Advil and Aleve, hot showers and soaks, heating pads and ice paks ace bandages and support braces. We can no longer move like those in their 20's and 30's, and our 30 yr. old horses can't be expected to move as fluently as our 13 yr old horses. But if our old buddies are still interested in living, and we are willing and able to provide the care that goes the extra mile, then allow them to hurt just like we do...and work through it to enjoy a new spring, warm sun on their backs, green grass and the soft nicker of an equine friend.
There is actually nothing like an ancient equine. They can no longer kick well ( rear end way too stiff ), the neck is so inflexible, they no longer are able to whip around and nip you, and spooking....is rarely worth the effort. So, my old mare and I "pop" and "creak" in a slow walk down the trail....I with my motrin, carrying a decent supply of bute for my friend. Content.
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 22, 2009 - 11:31 pm:
Aw Lee, that's really sweet. And don't forget, some of us (Hmm, who was that?) have heart bowls too!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 6:25 am:
Here again Diane, you need to be following your veterinarian's advice. I would note that your lesion based on the ultrasound findings is worse than most of what is described in the article and he has expressed concern about rupture being possible.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 6:28 am:
Thanks again Lee, I have been wondering if that heat hanging on was normal. Your stories are very reassuring. If the Boomers don't work I will learn to wrap, I do know the basics of it, since no one is around all day I kind of hesitate to leave a wrap I put on, on her. The Boomers are a pillow wrap made easy and I hope they work.
We have heavy rain forecast for the next few days so Flash will get some self-imposed stall rest...she hates getting wet and only leaves her stall to poop!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 7:32 am:
Thanks Dr.O. I will not walk her except to the hydrant for cold hosing...about 20 foot.
Thanks
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 7:33 am:
Lee,
I think your post should be in a spot all it's own; "Ancient Equines & Their People; subtitle "And their ailments." Or some such thing, lol!
And Lee, when you write it's all clear as a bell to me, no misunderstandings on my part.
I wanted to put this out there: I've been using a Deep Tissue Oil, called Essential Relief. A Jon Barron product. The ingredients are: (if I can read the dang bottle)Olive oil, calendula oil, Arnica Oil, St Johns Wort Oil, Cayenne, ginger, natural menthol crystals,wintergreen, DMSO, Emu Oil, and MSM. A few DrOps go a long way. Burns a bit when I first put it on, but it does offer relief on my tendon.
If I were to try it on a horse, I would probably dilute it a bit at first due to the initial burning.
Here's 2 links to the Essential Relief.
https://www.baselinenutritionals.com/md/essential_relief.htm
https://www.jonbarron.org/anti-aging-program/03-01-2001.php
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 9:54 am:
Your oil sounds invigorating, Angie. Wish I could soak in a tub of it.
Can't remember what the ground is like outside Flash's run-in, Diane. I remember seeing a photo of a dry pen, but don't remember whose pic or what thread; if there is mud around her run-in from the rain, I'd be cautious about her slipping. Would the stall set-up be better for the rainy times?
Lee . . . your descriptions are touching . . .
Time for you to illustrate your writing with some of your pen and ink sketches . . . and then post them under "inspirational."
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 6:35 pm:
The paddock is lime and does not get muddy or slick.
She does seem rather painful today.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 23, 2009 - 8:06 pm:
Dr.O I have a couple questions I hope you can help me with.
I am confused as to whether warm or cold therapy is best at this point? Accident happened Feb.11th I believe. Over the weekend I was putting on the SMB boots in the afternoon for about 5hrs. which produce heat, her legs sweat under them. Then I cold hosed for around 10 mins the heat was going out of the tendon quite a bit.
Today I was out of town and didn't know if it does harm to leave SMB's on for 8 hrs. so didn't put them on..Tonight I checked her before cold hosing and the heat was greater than it had been, after cold hosing I put her back and when I went out to feed, about an hour...her leg felt MUCH warmer. I read somewhere that after the initial injury(3 days if I recall) that heat therapy is better...even if there is heat in the tendon????
Can leaving SMB boots on for around 8 hrs. do any harm?
Is it true that after you cold hose or apply ice that the leg will heat up because the body thinks it's cold and rushes blood to that "area" of the leg???
I'd be grateful if you could help me out here, I'm a bit confused...Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 8:44 am:
Whoa guys, we do not recommend anything with cayenne and DMSO, or DMSO and most of the rest of that stuff. This is a very irritating product and while counterirritation has some uses this product needs to have a warning sign on it.
At this point heat would be indicated unless there is ongoing inflammation. If you really feel the leg heats up by itself is present it is a pretty clear indication of inflammation. You apply cold to cool the leg down and heat to warm the leg up. Yes there is often a reflexive counter attempt by the body to fight your efforts.
I do not know if the SMB boots will be safe if left on for that time. If they fit well without creating pressure points or bands I do not see why they would not be safe. The key is checking them frequently while on to catch problems before they get serious.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 2:48 pm:
Thanks for the clarification Dr.O.. Her leg was so warm about an hour after cold hosing it was alarming. This morning it was much cooler but there is still mild to moderate heat in the tendon so I will continue to cold hose and use the Ice Tight when it arrives.
I would never use cayenne pepper. When I had hurt my knee I thought I would try capiscan(sp) thought if it helped I would try it on Flash for her arthritis..this was for humans, I followed the direction and have never had anything burn like that!!! I had to run cold water over my knee for an hour before it was tolerable. Glad I didn't try it on the mare first!
Thanks again
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 4:55 pm:
Diane,
I don't know whether it would help Flash, but when I was trying to get the remaining swelling out of Lance's legs when he was very sick, after icing I gave a good rub down to the legs with Witch Hazel, which seemed to help the blood vessels constrict enough to send the swelling back out of the legs.
As I learned in the process of trying to get rid of the swelling, which took so very long, once legs swell it can be really difficult to resolve the problem.
Kudos to you for your continued vigilance and efforts on behalf of your horses.
You are the kind of horse owner that I admire and aspire to be.
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 5:30 pm:
Hi Diane,
Here is a good tip about when you poultice. Make sure your horse's leg is wet. The poultice goes on easier. Use enough so you get a half inch over the entire leg, wet your hands with each glob of poultice you put on and mold it to the shape of her leg. To make it stay moist longer and to keep the mess down, use some brown paper cut in 12"high by about 15" long and wet the paper and wrap around the poultice, don't worry if the brown paper tears and you do not have to wrap tight just lay the paper over the poultice, you can even put it on in strips if you want to like paper machier. The next day everything should be dry and you can hose off the poultice and the paper while you are hosing and do it all over again. As the poultice dries it pulls the heat out of the leg.
Good luck with Flash I know she appreciates you.
Rachelle
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 5:38 pm:
Thanks Vicki that's a very good idea! I will get some tomorrow. The farrier was just here and we got her bad leg trimmed, the break over looks much better hopefully that will help a little. The heat and swelling is SOOOO variable day to day. Today it isn't too bad. Yesterday it was. I guess that's normal? Even the farrier said she was moving well, thank goodness I had already haltered her, because she was ready to take off soon as she saw him. I made him leave her pen before I took her halter off...she don't like farriers or vets much!
I'm afraid you and everybody on this website are awesome horse owners and I have nothing on any of ya's. Thanks again for the idea!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 5:48 pm:
Rachelle thanks for the tip I need all the help I can get! I do have some epsom salt poultice here from Hanks hooves maybe I'll put that on her tonight...it is raining so hard I am not able to cold hose today...and we have that wind too!!!!
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 6:03 pm:
Diane i have 4 ice boots, cus we don't have the water to spare on cold hosing.. So ice her as often as you can.. 15-25 mins will do as often as possible.. Key is to get rid of that heat..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 6:30 pm:
LOL ann I just got my vaccinations I ordered and they had some neat little reusable ice packs in them, first thing I thought of was icing legs with them would work really well! Too late tho I just went out and rubbed the mineral ice all over her leg. Can't believe I forgot I had that stuff (well yes I can). She loved it as I was rubbing it in and my hands are still cold from it so maybe that will help. I know I have to get that heat out of there and for some odd reason the SMB's seem to really help with swelling and heat..I was able to put them on today because I got home early...The rest of the week I'm in town so will be able to come home at noon and put them on
Thanks for the ideas everyone I am really lost with this (the witch hazel reminded me of the Mineral ice) Any big mistake could end in a complete rupture, the vet said he would rate it as a partial rupture as it is. I was speechless at that point ( I know hard to believe) so didn't ask many questions. Thanks Again.
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 7:08 pm:
We're supposed to get cooler temps with a chance of snowflakes in the next few days, so if you get that, too, Diane, maybe the colder air and precipitation will help cool down the leg, too.
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 8:04 pm:
Diane,
Just be careful that you do not use too many different things on her leg or you might get a reaction, then you won't know if it's the tendon itself or a reaction to what you are putting on.
It's best to stay simple and remember that the way a horses body heals itself is by bringing heat to the healing area, so it is to be expected that the leg will stay warm for quite some time, no matter what you do.
Rachelle
A story about reactions: A number of years ago I bought a herbal concoction that was supposed to be good for healing tendons and for horses with bone issues. SInce at the time I had both types of injuries, I thought it was a good idea to use it. I followed the directions and used it on the horse that had the bone issues, I slathered it on her for three days and did not get any type of reaction at all. So, I thought it was safe to use on the other horse. To be safe, I only used a little bit on the second horse and she was turned out at night. When I went to get her the next morning I almost had a heart attack, her legs looked like I blistered them they were like stovepipes. It took two weeks for those legs to go down and that was with her turned out and jogging 5 miles a day. There was no heat in her legs tho and was not lame.When I emailed the guy from Australia, no less. He said that it was a very uncharacteristic reaction and that what I was seeing was the lymph trying to heal and flush out whatever was going on in her legs. Needless to say that was the last time I used the stuff.
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Member:
boots
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 8:42 pm:
Diane - Don't let your horse eat the reusable ice packs.Does she chew on stuff you put on her leg? Just a thought, don't want you to have any more problems.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 8:44 pm:
Rachelle I know as I was taking my shower I thought about a reaction. I haven't put anything else on her leg other than the SMB's. SO it was getting dark, it's pouring and windy. I decided if I wanted to sleep I better go check her. I am very impressed with the mineral ice, The tendon was cooler and the swelling had gone down quite a bit. I think I may stick with that stuff and wrap her with the boomers when I get them. I do worry about her rubbing her eye with it...Like I did in the shower...YA it hurt.
Holly does the outside temp effect something like that? I have been curious about that...tho it really hasn't been warm here.
Thanks again
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 8:51 pm:
Rachelle makes a good point but I would like to add with regard to the long-used Witch Hazel, Lance is so sensitive that liniments that claim no blistering DO blister him. Not so though with the Witch Hazel, which gently helped significantly to reduce swelling when nothing else would work. If you use it, rub it in as you do.
After I quit icing I still used the Witch Hazel for a few days to continue to reduce swelling. It is also good to reduce swelling that is due to insect bites.
If one has a worry about a reaction to a particular product, do a pre-test on a small part of the horse's neck.
I am not touting this as a miracle cure but it did help my horse and I think that it is a "do no harm" product, if allergic reaction is not a problem.
Wishing you success, Diane. I know what it is to fight for weeks without seeing sustainable gains and also how it feels to continually lose ground.
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 - 9:14 pm:
I use Witch Hazel on my face sometimes . . . it's an astringent and has some soothing properties, as well.
I also used to use it in combination with Listerine and baby oil (equal parts, I think) as a spray to soothe the skin irritation from black fly bites on my oldest Appy.
I can't think why the cold air and precipitation wouldn't work, Diane. Just seems that if we want to cool down an appendage, one of the surest ways of doing so would be to leave it unclothed in a cold atmosphere, but ?
I can't tell if you meant you are wrapping the leg after applying Mineral Ice, but if it's like Ben-Gay or Atomic Balm, I don't think it's supposed to be wrapped after application. Just check the directions to be sure.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 8:12 am:
Well there's good news and bad news to be had this morning. Her swelling and heat are way down, don't know if it was the trimming, mineral ice, booting her, or a combination.
Bad news is she cantered in that small pen up to the gate throwing her head for breakfast. I try to keep hay in front of her most of the time to keep her quiet and she still had a little hay left from last night. So now she's too feisty, I'm wondering if I should take away her bute at night (She gets one gram at night...none during the day) I'm not so sure that would make a difference as far as "acting up" I have no doubt if I locked her in a "stall" she would be rearing and pawing...I'm glad she's feeling better, but Gees calm down!
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 8:45 am:
Scary, Diane.
I haven't had to deal with tendon bows in all these years, so I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but it seems that if she is going to move around it would be good to wrap both front legs with quilts and standing wraps or with some soft fleece polo wraps to give that tendon some support. I know that tendons can get "dependent" on the wraps, and that isn't good when trying to strengthen the tendons, but, in this case, if a rupture is a strong possibility with movement, then would wrapping be a good thing?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 10:40 am:
I stopped and talked to the vet, thought maybe a little ace might quiet her. He said he doubted it. Anyway I asked for a little more detail about her injury since I'm not speechless anymore. He said it was torn sideways about 1cm 50% and was filled with edema and gunk (scientific way of explaining it to me) I asked when would be a good time to do the US again to see if it's healing...and the phone rang for an emergency call so I never did get an ans.
Holly, the Boomers should be here today I think, hoping they will work. The mineral Ice says you can wrap with it. I don't know how the people on here with young horses managed to keep them quiet!! I would consider stall lock up, but with her arthritis I'm afraid it just wouldn't work.
I did notice the gelding must have had a rip roaring night and maybe that's why she was so wound up this morning. I closed an electric gate yesterday to keep them out of the mud (where the mare slipped) and obviously they didn't see it, knocked it down and dragged the fence off! They were still snorting and blowing this morning...they are not helping!!! Tho it is VERY nice to see Hank galloping through the fields again
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 11:33 am:
Diane, usually you recheck with US every 10-12 weeks .. I promise she will settle down once she realizes this is her life.. Change is hard on everyone.. of course the baby-sitters need to be more helpful..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 11:59 am:
Hi Diane,
If it were me, I would be tempted to make her enclosure smaller, at least until she settles. While this may aggravate her arthritis, a full rupture to that tendon will be catastrophic. I might look into firocoxib to help with the arthritis, at least while she's cooped up. I have dealt with bows, but you aren't dealing with a bow but a very significant tear on a horse with compromised ability to transfer weight off the injured leg. Cantering is not on!
It is a very tough call to weigh her day-to-day quality of life (she wants to move) against her longevity in retirement. I have learned through many rehabs that a good portion of the recovery is up to the horse, and the horse is not able to consider longevity, and may not be all that interested in resting an injury. For me, it's case by case how much I imprison the animal to try to force the longevity result. Sometimes we bring them back only enough to let them completely self-destruct. That's what my old man Hef did, and I came to understand that was him, and his choice, even though it was devastating to me. I wasn't prepared to lock that one in a box to prolong the life of his suspensories.
Your old girl seems like she may settle, but you might consider temporarily confining her until you get a sense for how things are going. If you can gradually increase her space, that may reduce explosions. And again, you're the expert on her, and she's going to make a lot of important decisions without consulting you, or considering the long-term results. I hope she settles.
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New Member:
jjrichar
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 1:39 pm:
Diane,
I had to confine a horse to stall rest for a while once and the vet gave me Reserpine (not sure if this is spelled right) but it helped to calm her and get over the initial shock of being cooped up. Not sure how this would come into play considering her age, but it may be worth asking about if it hasn't already been considered.
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Member:
stevens
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 2:35 pm:
I'm with Jennifer; sedate her if necessary to slow her down.
Regarding wraps; it is my understanding that they provide lateral support (sideways) but not longitudinal support (along the length of the tendon).
When rehabbing my horse's tendon tear I wrapped in the beginning to control swelling and give some support. A good standing wrap might help in that it actually provides some bulk making it harder for the horse to articulate that limb, but neither that or polos is going to significant support to the tendon itself IMO.
I haven't read through the entire thread carefully, but didn't see much about icing the leg which I found to be very helpful. I still ice my horse's leg after exercise (back to a whopping 10 minutes of trot). I rented a Game Ready system for the initial phase of rehab, (gamereadyequine.com).
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 2:39 pm:
Reserpine! Thank you Jennifer. I had been wracking my brain trying to remember what it was that we gave my appendix gelding while he was on stall rest. I'll be interested to hear if Dr. O thinks it would be okay for an older horse like Flash. My guy was only seven when we gave it to him, but it definitely helped him chill out a bit until he could heal.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 2:54 pm:
Chris, direct us back to your thread re your horse, let us know how he is doing .. K?
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 3:11 pm:
Elk, you have articulated a very important point: we can often rehab the horse, only to have their natural proclivity for running and playing like horses cause them to re-injure or create worse injury.
And it is very hard to strike the balance between the conditions needed for healing with the conditions that create quality of life. And, as you further point out, sometimes we do all we can but the horse has other ideas because they only live in the moment and can't comprehend that their actions are going to cause injury.
This has a lot of meaning for me because I have seen my gelding go through this pattern again and again. Did you post Hef's story on Horseadvice? If so, can you direct me to the thread?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 6:48 pm:
I'm thinking it's the "babysitters that need the resperine Thankfully everyone has calmed down and it doesn't seem as if any more damage was done. Her tendon is as cool as it has ever been in quite awhile and her swelling is down a bit too.
She is a smart old girl and I hope she will take care of herself...for the most part she is bombproof and nothing bothers her, but after seeing what the boys did to the fence, I'm sure they got a good zap doing it. They probably were blowing and snorting for hours.
At this point I think her quality of life is VERY good, she is bright, happy, hungry, and peeved off she is locked up! It's early in her injury and I am going to give her until summer at least to see how she does..unless she hurts herself worse.... I have to throw in I am not 100% confident in the US the vet did it was a very very bad picture... I DO know there is some major damage there tho, and am trying to treat as such I know you guys think she looked sore in the video, but I know how that girl lumbers about, and I really don't think she looks very sore moving.
I have been keeping a picture and video diary to track her progress
Here is pics of her leg 5 days ago and the one next to it is from today...The swelling and heat are not even close to what it was
Here's a video of her in her pen today, remember it is small so she doesn't "stride right out"
https://s158.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=https://vid158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/028-1.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 9:25 pm:
I didn't realize that about wraps and the kind of support they can give, Chris, but I guess it makes sense that the wrapping aROUND the leg wouldn't really keep the tendons from vertical stretching . . . still, if the leg has some soreness, I think that the wraps may provide some stabilization and protection . . . and may also cause the horse to favor the wrapped legs more . . . sort of like putting a bandaid on a finger . . . Just makes us more aware of that finger.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 9:25 pm:
Wow, it looks so much better, Diane.
It sounds like you need to have a talk with those babysitters!
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 10:41 pm:
I know that we cut back on the bute when my mare began getting rambunctious. The whole management thing on these tendon injuries is difficult to balance. Don't forget the frozen peas....they DO mold so beautifully to damaged legs.......just make sure that while they are re-freezing, someone doesn't eat them.
And, ER, JoAnn?? It wasn't my "heart bowels"...it was Angie J's EARS!!!
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 - 10:46 pm:
She moves around better than me!
Shes doing great for a 30 year old. Keep on keepin' on.
Lelsie
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 5:49 am:
Thanks! She has a bit of a shorter stride on the injured leg, other than that she really does look good. When I take her out to cold hose her and she has her head up and "striding out" she actually looks really good. I have to make her slow down and be careful. Trimming that hoof has helped a lot too. That was the only one that got trimmed so R front is long and she lands toe first on it, so of course she is a bit uneven.
I have been cold hosing rather than using ice. Using SMB boots in the afternoon- 5-6 hours. The heat was almost gone yesterday so I guess I go to heat therapy when the heats gone...right?
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 7:25 am:
Hang in there, Diane. Keeping a horse quiet & resting is a difficult and frustrating job when they decide not to cooperate.
I can see a big difference in the latest video...keep up the good work.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 7:51 am:
Chris's comments about typical wraps is correct experimentally they did not provide support to the tendons and ligaments. However some of the advanced sports medicine boots have been shown in a small number of studies to decrease the work of these structures. These are the neoprene and velcro boots that cover the cannon and fetlock with a support strap that slings under the fetlock. I believe DianeE is using these already.
As to reserpine in older horses I do not know of any specific contraindications but if I felt necessary to treat would titrate the dose more slowly with whatever drug I was using.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 8:08 am:
It seems the SMB's really help her. I read a study somewhere that they support the SDFT quite well. I can't locate that study again, but according to it they are good to use for support for this type of injury. I will have to see if I can locate it again as it was quite interesting... Wasn't the manufacture that did the study, some university I think.
Her heat and swelling were again much better today, I had a hard time detecting heat today at all.
Dr.O. and all Thanks for unparalyzing me! I do think there is hope for her now.
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 10:19 am:
Diane,
I found a book I have called "The Bowed Tendon Book" but of course it seems this isn't a bowed tendon if I am remembering correctly from above? I'll try to scan through it and see if there is any "new" advice in there that may help you.
About my ears: Funny but they seemed to work better after that first beer at the restaurant. Or maybe I have to be a little bit tipsy to understand Jersey accents? 
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 - 1:26 pm:
Thanks Angie, My Boomers arrived! They are very nice, very, very thickly padded. I don't think you could bind them too tight if you tried the velcro closures are elastic, they stay nice and snug tho...I see I have the Left front a little higher than the right tho. This was my first attempt at wrapping and I have to say I have seen a good standing wrap done at the event barn and they have nothing on these...so in case there is anyone else that is wrapping stupid these seem to be a good EASY option...Flash seemed to think they were very comfy too.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Mar 27, 2009 - 8:09 am:
Dr.O. Flash's heat and swelling are much better now. I can detect a very small amount of heat in a small spot. I still have her on one gram of bute at night. She's been on bute for the most part since her injury...about 6 weeks. How does one decide they don't need to use bute anymore for this type of injury or is it a try and see type of thing??? The vet said to try aspirin, I thought I had read aspirin doesn't seem to have much of an effect on horses and I'm not sure if that would be any easier on her stomach.
Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Mar 27, 2009 - 9:33 am:
You wean off slowly and if lameness or swelling begin to return you up the dose a bit.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 - 12:41 pm:
Here's the study on sport medicine boots if anyone is interested. Though it appears long term use is questionable in tendon repair.
https://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16388235
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 - 8:03 pm:
Great info, Diane. Do you have any idea who sponsored the study and/or what brands of boots they used?
Sounds like they are a good idea under speedy or rough circumstances. Although I always found them a pain to put on and off, perhaps I'll dig my spots medicine boots out of storage. I think they would be good for hunting perhaps.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 - 8:56 pm:
Thanks Erika, I do not know anymore than what it says. It does site the Equine vet journal, maybe Dr.O. has more info. though it does seem to be French in origin?
After reading that I wonder if they would be a good idea post injury OR for rigorous work for preventative measures. If Flash makes it back to turnout I am very tempted to put them on during her out time to help prevent reinjury.
She is doing very well these last couple days, her leg looks almost normal. Still a tiny bit of heat lingers tho.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 - 3:44 pm:
What great news that Flash appears to be improving!
Those boots are really sharp looking. I am all for things that are easier and still effective as in boots VS leg wrapping.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 - 7:36 pm:
OK guys I caught hubby outside and had him lead Flash before her cold hosing. This is more how she walks. Please critique for me, obviously I see her too often to make a good judgement call. Hubby even said he thought she looked SOOO much better. She hadn't had any bute in 24 hrs. and that was just 1/2 a tab. I'm tempted to see if the vet would think short handwalking would be ok.
Please note in both videos she is trying to push hubby to the grass
Dr.O. on average would you expect her to be lamer with the diagnosis the vet gave.
Thanks
https://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/?action=view¤t=012.flv
https://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t90/scooter_098/?action=view¤t=013-2.fl v
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 7:40 am:
How long has she been healing Diane?
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 8:07 am:
Dr.O. It has been about 6 weeks since her accident. Feb. 11th. With this type of injury I am in the dark as to whether this type of injury should make her limp/lame? The vet is coming to run the cattle through the shoot on Good Fri. and was debating if I should have her US again, even though she was just done 3/19?? When the vet examined her, he said they don't get lame with this type of injury...I find that hard to believe if 50% of her tendon is tore. Also, she was very, very swollen when he did the US can that effect the results especially with a relic of an US???
Thanks for any guidance you can give me.
Thanks
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Member:
stevens
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 9:57 am:
Diane,
Lacoste's tendon tear was also 50%, he was never lame at the walk, ever. He actually didn't look awful at the trot either, just short strided on the bad leg but never 3-legged lame.
As you can see from experiences of others on this site, 6 weeks is nothing in the rehab of tendons. Personally, I wouldn't US again. What are you hoping to change?
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 10:06 am:
Diane, fwiw, the video is hard to assess, but it doesn't alter my impression from earlier video that she is a cheerful horse who likely has multiple sources of unsoundness. Also that her body condition may become an issue for long term rehab of that tendon! The walk is a very difficult gait to assess for soundness, especially by video (in person, sometimes you can hear asymmetries that are hard to see), but her walk does not, to me, rule out a severe tendon injury.
The only reason to US at this stage, I think, would be if you're questioning the diagnosis, and have access to a second vet who is familiar with US and can offer a good second opinion on the injury.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 12:37 pm:
Thanks that's good info Chris. I did stop and talk to the vet again to see if he was 100% sure of what he saw. He drew me a pic and said he was sure it was what he saw. After his picture and description I would rate it a cat 4 from the articles descriptions. He said at her age it may have already had some damage to begin with..no way of knowing. I feel better now that he sounded confident in his diagnosis. I guess I was going by human standards, I know when I had tendonitis it was VERY painful! I won't say she is completely pain free, but I don't believe she is in terrible pain by any means...she's very happy and well she may not be moving 100% (and hasn't for a few years) I tend to think she looks pretty good considering everything!
He said at this stage of the game he would wait to US again. He was very pleased with her progress report, said short hand walks would be ok unless the tendon started swelling or heating up again.
Thanks for your opinions...it helps!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 4:35 pm:
Elizabeth, she is a porker, tho she does appear a bit fatter than she really is with all her winter hair. I've been trying to figure out how to control her weight without starvation! She is a 13.3hh pony should weigh around #750's, I weigh her hay out daily...8lbs pure grass, stemmy and try to give the majority at night. She also gets a small handful of alfalfa pellets soaked twice a day (for joint supp and bute) When she's hungry she "acts up" in her stall by pawing and pacing...not a good thing right now. I don't believe she is IR or Cushings...Just a fat easy keeper. I have been thinking about getting her one of those lik-it things...but they sure are loaded with sugar! I wish I could find a stable (don't push around) treat dispenser, I could put some alfalfa pellets in it and keep her amused without too much movement and maybe she would be a little happier with her diet.
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 4:51 pm:
Hi Diane,
Some friends of mine found a timed horse feed dispenser. I thought it was hilarious, but maybe something like that would help? I bet it was pricey though.
It's a shame you can't interest her in something that isn't eating or pacing-- watching daytime TV, for example, or knitting afghans.
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Member:
hollyw
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Posted on Monday, Mar 30, 2009 - 9:42 pm:
MR. ED reruns? "My Little Pony" play sets?
Diane, I found a used horse toy at a consignment shop once. It was an apple-scented/flavored plastic wheel that the horse could lick and spin around. It mounted safely in the corner of the stall. Can't remember what it was called, and a really smart horse wouldn't probably be persuaded to waste time spinning plastic around when there are more interesting things to do like play act as FURY or THE BLACK STALLION . . . but? Worth a try.
Did you try hanging milk jugs with a few stones in them? Just above head height. Maybe you could put some "just-a-tiny-bit-bigger-than-alfalfa-pellets" holes in the jugs and then put a few handfuls of alfalfa pellets in them ?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 - 8:23 am:
After six weeks I think the walk in the above images is consistent with a tendon injury like you have described. I would not expect much change after such a short period and the article gives recommendations on times for US rechecks.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Apr 3, 2009 - 6:35 am:
Dr.O. is it "normal" for heat to come and go at this stage of Flash's injury (7 weeks)? The article did say when "put back to exercise" this could happen, but she has not been put "back to exercise".
Lameness does not seem worse when the heat flares up. I am not hand walking her yet, but she can move around in her pen. She stays quiet tho. I'm not sure if this off and on heat should concern me. The swelling is still going down gradually.
Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Apr 3, 2009 - 8:19 am:
It is normal for the skin temperature to vary somewhat Diane and without any other sign of problem it does not sound significant.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Apr 3, 2009 - 11:37 pm:
Thanks Dr.O. the heat is in her tendon I believe, not the skin itself. Her other legs are normal. I suppose that means I have on going inflammation? and wondered if that was "normal" at this point?
Thanks
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2009 - 9:59 am:
Flash got a Uncle Jimmy's hangin' ball today...it does keep her preoccupied She's a hoot trying to get a big bite of it.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2009 - 10:34 am:
Next will be the glazed donut face look.. them things are STICKY...
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 4, 2009 - 4:38 pm:
I can see the look of concentration!! hehehehehe
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 - 1:53 pm:
A little update on my poor old girl. Her heat and swelling had really been acting up and I was quite worried about her. She started to quit bearing weight again (shaky knee) I was really at a loss as to why, somedays much worse than others..bute or not. I have not started walking her as I didn't think the time right yet...I have NO idea what I'm doing, but anyway I have just left her in her pen for the most part except for cold hosing. THEN one day I was looking out the window and there she was pawing the fence with her injured leg getting it stuck and pulling back. NO WONDER things were getting worse.
I decided to make her a pen in the flat yard so she could graze and occupy herself. The very next day her leg was much better, she stays quiet and content for a few hours of grazing and the pawing stopped! Seems we are back on track, heat and swelling have really dissipated. Her pen is small, not much grass, but she loves being out there, she can go in the lean if she wants.
SOOO hopefully Princess will continue to behave herself. It's going to be a long rehab!!! If she doesn't drive me nuts by then.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 - 3:57 pm:
Good grief, Diane,
I'm glad that you got that mystery solved.
Makes one wonder if this is how she got injured in the first place.
Now this is making me wonder if that is how my Buddy messed up his fetlock (old injury) as I've seen him do the same thing at the fence.
How do horses ever survive not being kept in padded cells?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 12, 2009 - 9:17 pm:
Thanks Vicki I am glad I saw her doing it too. I was starting to think she would never heal. I saw her slip in the mud so I know that's how she injured herself. As a rule she doesn't paw much, but I think seeing the boys out grazing was too much for her to bare. Today she laid down out in the grass and sunshine, she just enjoys being semi-normal I think, she never was one for being locked up or stalled. Her leg seems to be improving in leaps and bounds now that she has a little freedom AND grass. When I put her in for the night she pouted at the gate for hours, didn't even want her hay. They sure know how to play the heartstrings don't they
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Monday, Apr 13, 2009 - 12:04 am:
Diane I'm glad your girl is improving. She looks content.
Vicki, I have wondered the same thing about how in the world is it possible to keep horses safe. But even a padded cell wouldn't work. They would probably eat the padding and colic!
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Monday, Apr 13, 2009 - 6:56 am:
All,
It seems that horses have their own ideas and for the most part do not know what the meaning of safe is.
I know I get a knot in my throat every time I see a horse running around like a banshee even if its not my horse. I see them slip and fall and get up like its nothing. I try to convince myself that this is a natural thing for them which it is, but it still makes me nervous.
A lot of people in the racehorse business turn their horses out in the morning to loosen them up and then they jog them. I do it the opposite way, I jog/tow first and then turnout in the afternoon. This way the edge is off of them and hopefully they are not as likely to do something stupid. Then again, sometimes you can do things the same way for a long time and one day something goes wrong and there is nothing you can do about it and there was probably nothing you personally did to cause the problem.
I think as horselovers we naturally blame ourselves for something that has gone wrong, but in reality there is really nothing we can do. Horses will be horses, its just the nature of the beast.
Rachelle
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Monday, Apr 13, 2009 - 9:41 pm:
Rachelle, what you say makes a lot of sense. I'm one of those horse lover who tends to feel like "if only I had..." when something goes wrong. But you are so right, beyond creating as safe an environment as we can and giving good preventative care, sometimes bad things happen despite all our efforts. I guess that's when the serenity prayer comes in handy!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 - 8:09 am:
Dr.O since this mare quit self destructing she is doing VERY well. No more heat, swelling going down, moving very well (for her) Is weighting it fully finally. She doesn't need bute anymore. I still am on the fence whether she should be walked. My vet said don't let her fool you and I'm not, I forgot to ask him about walking her. Considering all I want is pasture soundness, yet as strong as healing as possible. She does walk around her pen and turnout...they are small. She is 2 mos. post injury. I'm leaning towards leaving well enough alone, but when I read the article it seems walking her would help make it stronger, though the article is geared more towards returning to "work"
Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009 - 7:47 pm:
Diane,
It sounds like your horse is getting plenty of walking exercise in the pen.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 - 6:44 am:
Thanks Dr.O. what little bit of common sense I have was telling me that, just wanted to make sure
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 15, 2009 - 6:14 pm:
I am very glad to hear that she is doing better, Diane.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 - 6:14 am:
Dr.O. I have another question, this has been nagging at me a bit. If you will recall I said the mare's fetlock had DrOpped after this injury. Will it always remain this way? It really makes me want to add some support back there. She looks "coon footed" on that leg. Her hoof is growing forward and up it doesn't seem as if this could be helping anything? There is no base of support with her hoof growing this way. The only way to move it back would be to lower her heel, which I'm not sure if that would be a good idea at all..
Thanks
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 - 10:11 am:
Diane ,I know you are doing barefoot , but could you put a eggbar or heel extensions on her?? That will help support the structure..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Apr 17, 2009 - 4:26 pm:
Thanks Ann, The vet did mention an egg bar, but we can't trim her other hoof, SOOO I don't know if just doing one hoof is ok??? In her 29 years she has NEVER had a shoe on so I don't know how well she would stand either. I'd be willing to try one on her bad leg, but She can't (shouldn't) load the bad leg to do the other (according to my vet)
I was kind of thinking about the equipak hoof extension stuff
https://www.vettec.com/65/products/superfast.html
Or maybe something I could tape on her hoof(hooves) quickly.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Apr 20, 2009 - 10:02 am:
Diane why would you have to lower the heel to cut the toe back? If you think an egg bar would help you can put it on one hind foot.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Apr 20, 2009 - 1:27 pm:
Dr.O the toe seems to be ok, the farrier did trim that hoof last time...but didn't touch the heel. Her other hoof wasn't trimmed because the vet said not to weight that leg yet....The hoof that was trimmed(the bad one) actually looks much more out of proportion then the one that wasn't trimmed, I suppose because only the toe was addressed at the time. The heel on the bad one is quite a bit taller than the other hoof.
It is her front leg that is injured I may take some pics to show you what I mean....Thanks
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Apr 20, 2009 - 7:19 pm:
OMG well I have been letting Princess out in her LITTLE grass pen during the day when I'm home...a couple hours. Today I got home about 4 pm and let her out. She has been in this pen for at least a week and has been very good. There's a little grass and I also put hay in there (which she doesn't touch).
As I was making supper, I looked out the window and there she was throwing her head, cantering, bucking(she don't EVER buck) and trotting round and round. Looked like a bucking rodeo, barrel racing horse. Fear struck my heart! I ran down to the pasture and she followed me back in her other pen going nuts! I shut the gate and she was still going nuts, so I threw her some hay! She finally calmed down, but what a nut case....I hope she didn't do more damage, I'm debating buting her just in case...didn't. Going back out to check her in a few minutes and see if there is any heat or swelling, if there is I will give her some bute. Her swelling had gone down so much that I can finally feel her canon bone in back. If she ruined that I will kill her myself!
How you guys did this with young horses is beyond me
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 7:21 am:
I feel your pain, Diane. These situations cause more high blood pressure and gray hair...
Several years back, when my mare was on stall rest, she turned into a completely different animal. The horse that never spooked or startled became a complete nut case. One time, as I was handwalking, something set her off and she took off. I immedietely let some of the line out to keep myself safe from the bucking and rearing, but was not fast enough and she came up against the end of the line as she was going full tilt. She lost balance and wiped out on the injured rear leg, completely down on her side and the leg. I nearly had a stroke. She popped back up, and fortunately, it seemed to knock some of her normal sense back into her and she calmed right down. I, on the other hand, was shaking, and afraid to think what she might have re-damaged.
Did it set the healing back? I don't really know. But in the end, she did heal, came 100% sound again. In fact, during a lesson on Sunday morning, my trainer commented that Sparkles shows none of the stiffness one would expect for a horse of her age and that she should probably be good to continue on for many years.
So, despite the damage Flash might have caused YOUR nerves, she may be just fine. I certainly hope so and I hope you maintain your sanity during the process!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 7:56 am:
Thanks Fran! I need good reports sometimes. She didn't seem any worse this morning thankfully, no heat or swelling.
I don't even know what set her off...the geldings were eating hay watching her as if she had lost her mind, so can't blame them this time.
She has been so intrigued with the grass she usually hardly moves except to graze.
I had even considered leaving her in there when I was gone she behaved so well...thank goodness I decided that was a bad idea! I guess the good news is she is finally feeling well enough to do this. It's suppose to warm up quite a bit after today and that usually takes away quite a bit of the "madness" I hope! It's raining today and even tho she is nuts, princesses don't like to get wet no matter what...so I'm safe today...I think
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 6:28 pm:
Sounds like Flash was feeling young again, Diane.
Hopefully she will now be following a course of healing herself, which horses often seem to do quite well given the tools.
The more I read about her antics the more I worry about my old guy's occasional gymnastic efforts where he puts on performances beyond belief.
When one of mine has been sick or injured, I usually look for such a sign as Flash has given that all is well again.
I guess though, that their feeling well is not always enough to conclude that all is entirely healed.
Hope that she will continue to improve.
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 9:16 pm:
Diane, I think that we must be living in a parallel universe. Or maybe this is just what old horses do when spring fever hits.
This winter my mare made it through her worst bout of laminitis yet, and last month I was thrilled to see her moving around well enough to go out into her dry lot. But yesterday she burst out into crazy bucking, leaping and rearing when I put my other horse out in the pasture. Prior to this she was okay with him being out, but not this time.
I caught her pretty quickly but she was already over the moon and wouldn't calm down. So, do I leave her in her stall to buck and turn and possibly hurt her still fragile feet while I catch him and bring him back to the barn (providing that I can catch him right after being turned out) or do I take her out to the pasture until she clams down enough to go back in her dry lot? So I opted to slip on her grazing muzzle and lead her to the pasture. She danced and pranced out of the barn, no sign of the woefully lame horse of last winter. But today she is sore, and I'm not sure if its from the leaping and hopping or the little bit of grass that I let her have to keep her from hurting her feet.
Like you I just don't know what to do for my old girl. Her feet are failing her, but her heart and spirit are still strong. And like you, I am going nuts trying to help her get better if she can. I'm beginning to think that she will be just fine but I am going to end up admitted to the funny farm, just like poor old Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther movies. He,he....he,he,he,he
Anyway, I'm glad your girl is doing better. Perhaps we can be roommates at the asylum.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 10:29 pm:
Thanks for the giggle Jo Ann, I bet Sara would join us at the asylum too.
When I got home there was that sweet, innocent face hanging over the fence begging to go out in her grass pen....BOY did I have to think about it. I have her grass pen rigged up so I just open the gate and she can walk out, or go back in the lean to at her highnesses pleasure.
I stood at the gate and told her you little wench if you go nuts this is it!!! I'll lock you in a stall and throw the key away
I opened the gate and out she walked (spryly) throwing her head every which way I stayed out and cleaned the lean to so I could keep an eye on her. OH the thought was definitly there in her little princess brain. She started a little trot, I yelled knock it off or else! And that was it (shew) She went back in when I got done with chores...I'm a slow learner...but not that slow!
Just in the last week or so I am seeing a lot of progress, I hope it continues. Hope your mare settles down! If nothing else they are amusing.
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 11:07 pm:
Ah, the princess. You've just got to admire her.
I bet Sara would join us. Heck, they probably have a whole wing just for horse owners.
I can see it now, Admitting Diagnosis: PTHOD Post Traumatic Horse Ownership Disorder!
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 - 11:22 pm:
PTHOD!
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 8:47 am:
Save a room for me!
My boys and I are all getting old and falling apart.
But it truly is a labor of love, isn't it?
Doing the chores is probably the best parts of my day, but it is so tough going through the ups and downs of illness, injury, aging and healing.
Where else can we spend so much money and time to work so hard?
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 3:35 pm:
Well I'm glad I'm not the only loon on this site.
I figured I was only old crazy lady who fusses obsessively over "my kids"...
Diane, I'm glad to hear your pal Flash is feeling fiesty again although it is nerve wracking! Hope she continues to get better.
I'm with Lee and his post above...we're all old and manage to have some quality of life with a little help from epsom salts, warm baths, motrin, etc.! A little rum helps now and then too...
for you, not Flash. Take it only for medicinal purposes after she almost gives you heart failure flinging herself about as if she was a 2 yr old...
(((hug)))
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 4:14 pm:
Vicki, since you are new I'm sure Lee will forgive you....he is a SHE
There is a pic of her in this thread with a bird on her shoulder if you would like to see her!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 5:05 pm:
Ha! And my sister's name is Lee...
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 6:31 pm:
Just to add her humor into my day, I left the Princess out in her grass pen when I got home, gave her the behave speech and went about my business.
I glanced out the window to check on her and there she was feining death! I went out on the deck and yelled her name...no movement.
I watched for a minute or 2 no movement! Couldn't tell if she was breathing...The little wench made me go outside to check on her, and of course she was fine.. I guess I told her to be quiet, but she didn't have to take it quite so literalley!
Anyone want to adopt an old mare with a warped sense of humor!
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 8:07 pm:
Oh my God. Horse ownership is hard, isn't it? I will not even begin to state my current daily difficulties on this forum.
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 8:23 pm:
Diane and all,
You can add my name to that asylum list, I have had a week that you would not believe, all because other people are not considerate about doing noisy work around horses and not telling anyone they are doing it to give us a chance to move the horses out of harms way.
It would be nice if we could make that asylum stop, the Miami Hilton, I could really use a vacation.
Rachelle
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 9:00 pm:
Diane, bet that gave your heart a jolt! Crazy horse, scaring you that way.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 9:43 pm:
Ha, I might need a whole wing of my own! Or at least my own psychitrist who understands horse ownership. With Beaulima's latest episode, every time I see her lying down I wonder if I need to go out and check on her. And why, WHY must she lie down in the same spot she got stuck in when she hurt her right hind? Why can't she lie down in the middle of the pen instead of next to the barn?
She, Miss Honest and Dependable, got out the other day! Pleased as punch with herself, too! We still have construction going on and I was terrified she'd go over where the tractors, holes and big piles of dirt were, but no, she headed for the first patch of grass she saw. Of course all the other horses were upset and charging around in their pens. Beau (aka Miss Piggy) pranced around in circles, quietly let me catch her, then broke away and ran again! I could have killed her. Luckily, she ran into a field and I shut the gait; she REALLY enjoyed upsetting everyone, including me. Thankfully, with the situation with Maathys, she has decided to eat normally and is happily eating her grass hay like she's never had a problem. What do you want to bet she'll give me a couple of days to recover, then start ignoring all her food again, holding out for something better?!
I tell you, between the horses, dogs, my dad, and the construction I am ready for the looney bin for sure.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 9:59 pm:
Sara That is one bet I wouldn't take!!! Maybe we need another WHY thread and see just who has the most trying old horse! Just WHY do we cater to their every need to keep them happy and alive, and then make us want to kill them
Glad you are still able to keep your wonderful sense of humor through it all.
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 - 10:39 pm:
Diane you nailed it!!! That is it exactly. They worry us to death and just when we are feeling that "Oh, I love my sweet horse sooo much" they pull out all the stops and do their most annoying stunts. I think you should have the honor of starting that thread. But I'm sure we can all chime in. On-line group therapy for PTHOD! Although the Miami Hilton does sound pretty good...
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