(almost) WW

I told you it was this one Mom...

Playing find the treat...

Update from the land of perpetual gimpyness...

Still performing twice daily inspections, pokings, and proddings. Still no heat, swelling or favoring. Still bearing weight on all feet evenly. Still scratching my head...

Also still bobbing, although it seems that the bobbing is worse as movement begins, and levels off after he's been walking for a while.

During our all too brief break from chilly rain and wind yesterday, I gave Val a massage. As he stood out in the warm sun (not haltered or tied) I systematically followed his hip and shoulder muscles from bottom to top, somewhat forcefully. Val stretched his neck, stuck out his tongue, yawned and chewed his way through the entire procedure. (he is a bit of a massage slut) Until I hit a certain muscle group that is. Then he slowly reached his head around and grabbed me with his mouth. With his teeth actually, but very gently. I worked on that spot a few more times and got the same reaction.

I've formulated a theory. I also took some video of the gimpyness, which is posted below. Keeping my conclusions to myself, so as not to influence anyone else's conclusions, should they have any, and want to share. Will reveal in a later post.

For those of our readers who haven't been following long enough to catch any of my "how inconvenient it is to live on a very remote island" rants - here's the deal - 'cause I don't want you thinking "why the heck doesn't she just take that horse to the flipping vet already".

When you can use our road off the island, not 100% of the time since hurricane Sandy, it's a 3 1/2 hour trip to the nearest equine vet. There would be no question if we had a medical emergency. A vague, hard to pinpoint without tons of possibly inconclusive tests situation... not so much. Not yet anyway.

I have consulted with my farrier (thank a million W). He thankfully agrees with my course of action so far, and will be here at the end of the month in person. He really made me feel better. I am fine with however much time it will take Val to heal, I just don't want to miss the opportunity if there is something else I can do, but just don't know to do it.

No bute in case it is a sneaky not that painful abscess brewing
Continue monitoring for heat, swelling, etc.
Keep him quiet - easy - he naps twice daily, it's been stand around and eat hay weather anyway
Handwalking + massages

Here's the video - apologies for the shakiness. I had a hard time outrunning Val backwards so I could keep more than his big 'ol loveable head in the frame.

In the Arena #140 - Needle in a haystack...

Spring has come to my world. My world of landscaping work anyway. As in less time for playing hooky or lingering around in the blogosphere, hence I have let my blog posts back up. (time to call the wahhhmbulance)

There are three lovely rides to write about + new pictures and video. (!) Lots of gardening news as well. My plan was to compose a comprehensive post yesterday, but as I sat down to the computer (literally), my internet connection konked out. Technology. Can't live without it... can't live without it.

This morning's feeding contained another dose of reality. Val came across the paddock hopping lame. Head bobbing lame. A big 'ol hitch in his giddy-up.

I began by inspecting all four feet and legs very thoroughly. No heat, no swelling. I picked up and held all four feet. No reaction - he bore weight on all feet equally. After he finished his breakfast (appetite not at all affected) I dosed him with 2g of bute. A couple of hours after the foul tasting medicine, he may have looked marginally better.

I cleaned each hoof within an inch of it's life, tapped all over with the hoof pick, pressed all over each sole (hard). Pressed the heel bulbs and squeezed the coronary bands all the way around.  No heat, no tenderness, no reaction. At all. So --- I'm figuring an abscess goes to the back of the line.

Next I hand walked him. I turned him in fairly tight circles both directions. He seemed to falter a bit turning to the left. Watching his head as we walked, the bobbing downward happened on the movement of the left legs... sort of between the front and hind steps.

I can't for the life of me isolate where the issue is. I don't know where to stick some ice, dammit! My farrier suggested LF or RH going by my description of the head bobbing. The only other bit of info is that he seems not to be straightening his LF all the way - he almost looks like he's a bit over at the knee, and I heard clicking as I walked him.

Val came to me with an injury to his hip that required nuclear scans, and precluded him jumping anymore. He receives Pentosan Polysulfate injections monthly, and is just about due for this month's dose. He also gets hyaluronic acid gel daily.

He had a major flip out on Thursday last week in his grazing paddock. It looked like someone had done doughnuts with the tractor when he was through. Full throttle gallop right up to the gate - slamming on the brakes in soft sand - skids worthy of a reining horse.

I did some groundwork yesterday involving yielding his hindquarters, but haven't ridden since Wednesday, though overall we've been working longer and harder recently. Nothing over the top mind you. ;D

My plan is to see how he is in the a.m. and continue buting him tomorrow. The good thing is he's cooperative about his meds, and he is taking it easy voluntarily, plus laying down several times a day as per usual.

Helpful suggestions welcome. It's funny that I have finally gotten to the point where I'm anticipating riding with a light heart... just in the last few weeks. Hope my buddy's feeling better soon.

✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵

Monday morning update:

I went out to the barn at 0'dark thirty to check on Val because I couldn't sleep, and it was fixing to pour down rain soon. Picked the paddock as well as you can when you can't see. (yes - I had to "feel" around a little bit) Evening mash bowl empty, plenty of water drunk and hay eaten, and a horse ready for breakfast.

Gave him the once over - still no heat or swelling - still bearing weight on all four feet equally. I led him back and forth in the little wedge of light from the tack room. I'd say he looks 50% better today. Better enough to take off like a bat out of hell when a poop pile I chucked over the fence broke an insulator and started the hot rope arcing. I swear to you, when I have to do fence repairs, Val stares at me (from a safe distance) with a combo of utter respect + complete bewilderment. I am magical. :D

Cautiously optimistic...