Merry Christmas from me to you

Wishing you peace, health & happiness throughout this holiday season!

My Handmade 2015 Card

The cover photo is Harmony, I took it a few years ago,
 when we actually had snow....the bottom is the inside stamped message.

I may be out of sight, but you are not out of mind.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone in the new year, if not sooner.

Be well & have a very Merry Christmas!!

Fall update

It's time for a Fall update...

A few weeks ago, Koda had a set-back when we tried swapping out his older mare pasture companion for Nemo. For days the boys ignored each other in the small front pasture. It wasn't long before they decided to kick their heels up, like old times. Consequently, Koda was pulled out of the pasture. Our visit shortly after revealed that Koda's stride was off again, but this time on the other front foot. Not sure why, perhaps from compensating for his weaker foot. After talking to the vet, we put him on bute and stall rest for a few days, and then he went back to small paddock turn out. 

We already had a follow-up vet appointment set, and while you could see Koda was still somewhat off, he had bounced back significantly in a short time. The hoof test revealed no soreness on the right, and still some on the original injured left side. We did the last recommended third Shockwave Treatment on the left, and began the turn-out process all over again. Small paddock for two weeks, small pasture with older mare for four weeks. In six weeks, if he stays sound, the vet said we can begin light riding. Time will tell.

I'm not sure at what point Nemo gets added back into his life, and if Koda ever gets to go back to the big pasture (where I think the injury occurred). In my mind he needs to be able to run pain free in a pasture, before he can be ridden. I'll find out more when the time comes to discuss his progress further. It's all one big yo-yo guessing game...but there is still hope that one day this will be behind us.

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With Brad's encouragement, I've started going with him to the barn and briefly ground working Koda. I've also begun riding Nemo again. My husband is being very patient, and I love him even more for it. 

Koda is proving Brad right. It appears he wants to be my horse. His eyes softly seek me, even when he is suppose to be paying attention to other things. I wouldn't believe him, but I have seen (and felt) it over and over. Koda is a thinker, and is expressive. Doesn't change anything, his "classroom clown" personality remains the same. It is who he is. But what it does, is make me want to try harder and be stronger - for all of us. 

It's nice to see things falling back into place, albeit painfully slow. Regaining my confidence on the ground and having things feel normal (whatever that is) again will be a long time coming. It's extremely humbling. 

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Our Fall trail trip to the north woods came & went, horseless. We hit the start of peak colors, and they were beautiful, but the north woods are just not the same without our horses. 

Did I mention I came up with a sore left foot back in September? You know what they say, there are parallels to one's animals. I was logging in some serious hours this summer walking in a conservancy with my neighbor, that's no longer happening. I even had to scale back on my beloved yoga. I'll turn into a big ugly ogre if I can't be active (just ask my hubby) so I'm practicing on accepting life's never ending modifications...

get out of jail card

The first Shockwave Treatment appears to have been effective! It was a unanimous conclusion among the four of us that had gathered for Koda's follow-up appointment. The vet, our trainer, Brad and myself agreed that Koda had improved since he received the treatment. He was sound to the left, and had just a tiny hint of lameness visible when going towards the right. You really had to look hard to see anything off.

Koda got his "get out of jail card" and proceeded to "go". In this case "go" is full pasture turnout. The increased potential for re-injury is scary. You can't wrap them up in bubble wrap, they do what comes natural. We were at a good point to try full pasture turnout, so we did.

A second Shockwave Treatment was given, and the next morning Koda was turned out to pasture. One week later, things are still going good.

Instead of turning Koda out with Nemo in their regular big pasture, he is being turned out with a docile middle age mare in a pasture about a third of the size. It's a good intermediate step. A step that I think us humans needed, more then the horse. 

Nemo is an Alpha, and his favorite horse to put in order is his brother. Altho they are stalled at night next to each other, they haven't been turned out together the entire summer. Keeping them separate during this step was probably a wise choice.  

Our next appointment is scheduled for three weeks. We will reevaluate Koda, possibly do a third Shockwave Treatment and make a longer term care plan. I'm curious to see what that will be, and how this evolves...

Photo credit: Brad

the right direction

Koda continues doing well after his first Shockwave Treatment. He has officially progressed from 15 minutes of hand walking 2X a day, to half day turnout in a small paddock. We all agreed the round pen wouldn't be ideal, for many reasons. Since there were no other smaller options, Brad & I hauled in some of our panels. We got permission to set up a portable paddock in the grass, just for Koda. Last weekend was the first time since early June that Koda went outside without being attached to a human.  

Between snorting at anything and everything that didn't move, we had a bit of photo fun on the last day (hopefully!?!) of routine hand walking...

Koda moves slowly

My guy has to keep him on the go

Spotting the cranes in the field

Koda tries to act on it, but get's redirected

A little lunging at the walk,
with light rope entertainment

"Do you see what I have to put up with?"

"First the rope tricks, now he is hiding..."

"Peekaboo, seriously..."

"Thank goodness, we are done walking"

"Did I forget to mention, he sings too"

Koda loves every minute of attention, and pokes at the phone for Brad to turn the music on if he forgets. Apparently Koda has a favorite song that sometimes comes on near the end of their walks, the five minute extended version of the Brothers Osborne song "Stay a Little Longer". I love that song too! Koda knows as long as the music is playing, he get's to be outside. I'm very grateful for the extra care not only Brad, but the gals at our barn have given Koda. They both created a music playlist to walk him. I'm sure he loves music now! The effects of his injury are far from over, but I feel like we are heading in the right direction. 

First time in the temporary paddock.
It's next to the outdoor arena,
within view of his regular pasture & mates.