skip to main |
skip to sidebar
After spending the lions share of yesterday at a horse show, I am reminded of all things horse. The good, the bad and the ugly. Watching everything from effortless beauty to real struggles, even from the most experienced handlers - along with the usual undesirable stuff. The kindness and camaraderie out shined any negative, along with the cuteness that was to be found. Just like in real life, for those that choose to embrace it.
I melted with hope, when a tired Cierra greeted me by resting her pretty head in my hand. Her eyes got heavy and slooowly closed, falling asleep in my hands while I softly stroked her face...such a sweet mare. It set the tone for the rest of my show experience. I'm really glad I went. It was a reminder of what I miss most. Not the show, the horse interactions.
While I am an optimist, I am also a realist. Getting back to a horse life that feels semi-normal (whatever that is) isn't going to be easy. The only way I know to start, is by doing. Of course physical healing has to happen too. Koda's shockwave appointment is today. I'm hopeful it will help. I know it can't hurt (other then our pocketbook). I miss my beautiful boy...
Before I left the show I stopped by Cierra's stall to say goodbye. She quit eating her grain, lifted her head and held her muzzle close, for me to kiss. Horses have a special way with healing. I choose to embrace it.
Koda's update can be given with two words: still lame. For more detail, read on.
After four more long weeks, he was re-evaluated by a different vet from the same clinic. The conclusion was that Koda has improved, but not enough. The recommendation is to continue stall rest and hand walking. It is working, albeit slowly.
I found it interesting the vet mentioned this is the "year of lameness". Apparently they are treating a significantly higher then average number of horses in this area, makes a person wonder why.
Sending a big shout out and thanks to Lorie from C-ingspots blog for sharing her clinic experience of an alternate treatment, Shockwave. I found out our vet clinic also offers Shockwave Treatment, and asked about the effectiveness specific to Koda's injury. This vet recommends it and feels it has a high probability of being effective vs the original vet, who felt it (or other alternate methods) wouldn't effectively reach the injured area.
Without an MRI, we don't know exactly where the soft tissue injury is - which makes healing Koda somewhat of a guessing game. We decided to go with the higher odds recommendation that most soft tissue foot injuries are on the outer surface, fully knowing Shockwave might not be effective for Koda.
He is scheduled for his first treatment next week, then re-evaluated in three weeks before the tentative recommended second treatment (3 or 4 treatments are deemed better). Yep that makes four more weeks, which seems to be a reoccurring theme. As of today my lameness tracker puts us at 20 weeks from the start, and close to 10 weeks of stall rest...add these four upcoming weeks, and then a pending second treatment, and...
I'm beginning to think my original concern with not doing an MRI might be a valid one...at the end of this lameness ordeal (there will be an end, right??) we will have spent just as much $, wasted a ton of time, and made things worse for all of us - especially Koda.
We didn't opt for the MRI mostly because of the cost, and it isn't always a guaranteed revealed answer. In addition, some of the treatment for this type of lameness is the same regardless of the specific tissue injured. It likely would have been a more informative route to go, but we live by our choices.
The only thing that really matters is that Koda comes out of this sound. Perhaps then, the rest of the healing can begin...
 |
| long road |
Who remembers these vintage rocking horses?
My kids rode this one back-n-forth, over & over, until the horse's nose and tail would all but touch the floor of our porch!!
It was a garage sale treasure find, back in the day when I couldn't afford much of anything. I had been searching for one. Wish I knew how old it was....the only mark I can find on it looks like three small initials molded on the horses belly.
I had planned on someday making the horse part into a garden display with a carriage of some sort, but I can't bring myself to take the rocking horse apart. It's solid, springs & all.
Of course they still make versions of these rocking horses, but this one is special to us. Just look at him, running free in the hay field...
...waiting for the next child to saddle up and dream of where the wild things run.
