Our Fall Horse Wellness vet day came and went. Well, for most of our horses the vet visit was about wellness. Not so much for Koda. Everyone got Fall shots etc, taped weights (part of the package) and the girls got their teeth floated. Including Hope. Hope is a good place to start, and end with this post.
Hope: 932 lbs (821 in Spring). As usual, Hope was funny. "Pick me, pick me" Until it was her turn. She remembered the guy who poked her with needles last Spring. Regardless, her exam was uneventful and her first float went well.
Brad has increased his work with Hope. She is making him look good. It took about four short sessions for her to carry a cinched saddle while lunging at all three gaits. He started the first day walking in hand with just a pad. Next session was a cinched pad while twirling. Then pad & saddle in hand, and then cinched while lunging. Hope did not care or "go off" like the others did when introduced. They have been working on adding stirrup pressure etc. With teeth floated, he can introduce Hope to a bit. It should be a non issue as she still (still!!) wants to put everything in her mouth. Every day includes leading in hand, ground tying in some way shape or form, and leaving her dang lead line alone.
Cierra: 1117 lbs (1183 in Spring). There is not much to add about CeCee. Her allergies/breathing were re-discussed with the vet. Nothing different. Her breathing is improving with the weather and bites are less intense. Although the biters still seem to find just her. Must be because Cierra is so so sweet.
Harmony: 1117 lbs (1132 in Spring). Good ol' Harmony. She has great genes and does not look close to 25. Our daughter did mention to the vet, she still wishes Harmony could have been registered...long story. Yep, that was part of her plan that didn't happen.
Ironically, the day after our vet visit Harmony came in walking like this:
Harmony (10 secs)
Nemo: 1187 lbs (1217 in Spring). This big guy remembers our vet well. All the times he made him feel better. I can see it in Nemo's eyes and the way his demeanor softens.
Our vet is easing into retirement and is now part time. He has helped us care for all our horses, since the day each one of them joined our family.
Koda: 1257 lbs (1279 in Spring). What can I say about Koda. His lameness is going went the wrong direction. He recently got an abscess. A first for him. Our farrier found it had just opened. I felt like a bad owner. We do check Koda's legs and feet often! I just assumed his gimping was his new normal, chronic navicular/arthritis that we've been dealing with all along. We decided to stall Koda for a couple days. He improved. We tried half day turn. Not helpful. He has been on back to full stall days ever since.
Koda's daily routine includes twice a day solo arena turn out. It gives him a chance to stretch his legs/roll/change of scenery, while we clean his stall. Altho many times he just stands at the gate. He was getting to graze in hand a little as well.
Our vet wanted to x-ray Koda's right foot. I was stunned with what I saw while he was getting the machine ready. Look at the difference in the back of his front feet! Jaw drop.
what is wrong with this picture
up on x ray blocks
Some where along the line, Koda tore a tendon. My heart sunk. Poor guy. There is *always* something wrong with him. At first, it felt like a death sentence. It isn't. Yet. Pretty sure his lameness will be his demise. We were asked to "keep doing what we are doing" with Koda, for a minimum of six months. Except for the hand grazing. The vet wants Koda to only move on his own, briefly.
Our vet is confident there is a tear. He is pretty sure it is where the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon connects at the lowest point is detached/torn. Mostly because of the way Koda presents his foot. That tendon is the turquoise line (above) and attachment area is circled below. The yellow arrow I drew indicates where Koda's longer pastern bone should be more forward.
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Our vet warned us there wasn't much we could do for Koda. At this point, his lameness will forever be off/on again. Apparently there is a plate surgery option that he does not recommended. We wouldn't do it anyways. As long as Koda doesn't tear more tendons/ligaments, there is a glimmer of hope that he can still have some quality of life as a pasture horse. After he heals.
Six months (to a year plus) of healing is a loong loong time to live in a stall. So far he is handling 23.5-ish hours of stalling surprisingly well. I hope this time Koda can maintain his sanity.
We are still processing next steps and how we can best help Koda. We could haul him back to the MRI vet specialist. But I am not sure Koda can even haul comfortably or what it would gain us. Other than confirmation. We may try some alternative treatments. Even if for comfort. Koda will continue wearing his Streamz Bands part days. His four week trims will need to be medicated for now.
Two out of five horses at home have been in the barn all day/night lately. It makes for more work, and hopeful healing.
nemo & cierra (9/2025)
If you are wondering about Padame, I will do a separate post on her when I have more details. She is currently not being ridden. We are actively also trying to figure out her on/off lameness issue(s). Sigh.
SO yah. Half of our horses are lame. There is hardness in this life we chose, yet there is hope.
