June 2015 - Rehab starts.

When I start to think about what I was doing with Adam this time last year, and the year before, it saddens me. He was out competing this time last year, winning championships and going the best he ever has. And the year before, I had just started having 30 minute lessons on him following his kissing spine surgery in Jan 2013. Everything was positive and exciting, where as the past 9-10 months haven't been brilliant. 

Above and on the right - Adam June 2013 - 6 months post traditional op.

Adam June 2014 - competing at a local Riding Club show. The start of last years brilliant season. 









He has now had 4 sets of x-rays which are showing a positive outcome on his feet. He has degenerative joint disease in his coffin joint, and now believed to have secondary sacro - iliac pain. 
We believed that he may be having problems walking down hills because of his hocks. These where nerve blocked and no there was no difference. Lee (vet) joined me on a hack and experienced him walking down hills for the first time... He felt the worst he has ever felt that day! 

Both taken on the same day. 

So we have a plan. finally!
After all the waiting and all the remedial farriery, he is having his coffin joint injected with sodium hyaluronate in 6 weeks time. He no longer has his remedial shoes on, and at the moment (touch wood) he feels a little more comfortable.
He is on a strict fitness plan (chubber!!) that my vet has provided me with up until he has the joint injected and then the pressure will be put on him slightly to do a bit more.
We will be doing alot of walking, alot of strapping and plenty of stretches! 

Here he is! Looking disheartened because I stopped him eating from the hedge. Mero and Lee on the left. 

One thing I really would like to mention, is the difference the Equilibrium massage pad is making. He will have the full half an hour setting on high before being ridden, and he seems much more comfortable down hills. He also thoroughly enjoys having it on! 

Although there is quite alot wrong with Adam, he really is the happiest I have ever known him. He tries his heart out for me and genuinely loves his work. If this wasn't the case, then I wouldn't be putting him through all this. I can't give up on a horse that enjoys life! He is just a darling, and if he only wants to hack for the next 8-10 years (optimistic!) then that is 100% fine with me. 

Whats so funny?

I think horses who have had any sort of back pain or surgery are little soldiers for allowing us to get back on. I feel privileged every single time I ride him now and I certainly wouldn't of said that a few years ago! 

Fat fighters fitness club!

Only a quick update!
Adam has been on a strict fat fighters programme for around two weeks now. He is coming out every day with Mero for an hours hack in hand. I am very lucky to have such well behaved horses! I Have led them both through open fields, bridle paths and past combines recently and they are just perfect!

Although Adam doesn't seem to be able to resist eating the whole contents of the hedge which slightly defeats the point! He has also had new shoes, and hopefully this will be his last pair of remedial shoes! He will be xrayed at the end of the month and we should then be able to make some more decisions on whether I can either take him barefoot or go back to a more simple shoe with some heel support. We shall see how he goes,  but he needs to see the physio before anything else happens!

Thanks for reading :)

May 2015 - Loosing the tummy, and an amazing difference with the vet.

Firstly, I'd like to mention how happy Adam is. he is almost a different horse. Still out all the time, very happy to be groomed, girthed, scratched, made a fuss of. I am very very relieved, as he was a very unhappy chappy at his old yard.

AND! you may remember me mentioning how much he hates my vet?

"Adam hates my vet. Well and truly makes him feel very unloved! I cannot blame the monster, but he has met him quite a few times now! Enough to chill the hell out! Fool!
So the vet continued to wrap his arms around his neck, awaiting a less scowley face. 80% Successful!"

He was good as gold! What a difference a happy, relaxed horse makes! 

Vet sent me a selfie photo....

Brilliant..

So the reason I had the vet out was partly check on his progress and also show my concerns for a bump which has appeared in his lumber region on his back.

He has SI pain, so I am no longer able to ride him until the physio visits on the 19th May. This seems so so far away! but I am sure it will come around quickly. This would explain why he has been so unsettled down hills. So good to have an answer. So I now have to build up his muscle, without lunging and without riding. So I taking him out with Mero, ride and lead, as well as strapping him everyday. I'm going to be super toned! and hopefully so will he! 

So the diet has started!

Thanks for reading!

Our first adventure in the woods and swimming in the river!

I am not sure how I have avoided it, but Adam had never ever been in the woods. So I had a brave day, and thought we could give it a go! His saddle was fitted a few days before, so I felt happier to sit on him for longer!

I knew he'd probably ask me some questions down there as there is alot of water.  But I won. As usual! He also learnt to walk over a stile. He was fairly argumentative about it to begin with, but decided that it was actually easier to just go over it. The second one he flew and was very pleased with himself. He is funny!

Pheobe, Sarah's lovely horse was very very patient with him. The hardest thing is just wanting to give him a good blast and blow out the cob webs. He is very very fresh at the moment and really could do with more work at speed to tire him out! He just runs off adrenaline! But sadly he isn't aloud to do anything quicker than walking at the moment.

I also took him swimming in shallow pool the week before. The tide was high, and it was utterly bizarre riding in such deep water! It took him a little bit of getting used to! But he eventually got there. Needless to say he argued again!

I now have the vet revisiting him on Friday. He is overweight, and I am struggling to keep it off him because his work load is minimal. His saddle slips forward down hills (now purchased an anti slip pad) and he is very very keen.
So my next plan - buy some calmer, and move forward with the vet!

We have now had Mero for a year, who has been a super confidence giver for myself after Adams terrible behaviour over the years. And also for Lisa to ride and enjoy. He is working beautifully now, working up to Adv Medium at home and is a pleasure to train! We did our first BD event last week, and achieved a very respectable 66.5 in our novice and 67.5 in our elementary! Came home with a first and second. Very pleased and must write a separate post on this!

Thanks for reading :)

Moved yards and those feet are looking better! April 2015

Adam and I have lots of changes recently. He has moved to a different yard which so far has been a really positive thing to do! My reasons for doing this have made a huge difference to his wellbeing. 

He is now out all the time. The hacking is quieter and more 'disabled' friendly and its alot quieter. 

The difference in him is amazing!! He is chirpy all the time, he is loving the hacking and he's socialising with other horses. 

Him being out all the time is helping his mobility, he feels much more freer in his movement and he's happy to girth and be ridden. I believe this is something to do with having access to food all the time and keeping his stomach as happy as possible. 

When we first moved, I gradually turned him out for longer periods of time trying to get his stomach used to the vast amounts of grass which he now has available. Yes he is looking a little rounder than i'd like him, but its difficult to manage his weight when he is only ridden a few times a week at the most. He isn't quite at the obese stage yet though! I think the move is something I should of done months ago! 

Here are some photos of him at his new yard, enjoying his new life style. 

Then a little update on his feet. He has just had the farrier and he is pleased with how much heel growth he has manage to achieve. It was the first time in months I had seen him without shoes on, and I can see a real difference. Last time the vet visited and did x-rays, his pedal bone was creeping out of that horrid minus angle that he had previously, so I am hoping the next visit is going to be really good news and we may be able to start injections into his coffin joint. 

He has hacked twice at his new home, and for the people who have followed this blog for a long time, you will know that he was a chronic rearer when hacking. He wouldn't go out in front, any questions would created huge problems. Our first hack at our new home was around the small triangle. I have rode and led him around it once which was very successful! When the weather became calmer and sunnier, I took him out in company with Mero, and he was totally faultless. He walked out infront the whole way, worked in a good contact and felt so so happy. 

Yesterday we tackled our next hack. This one is about an hours ride at just walk. It quiet, but theres a few things that would of raised some questions. He had to walk through a deep river, which is creeping above his knees. He was a little unsure, and slightly confused but he went in and had a little beverage before continuing his ride. Yet another brake through, and despite the fact that he had no idea where he was going, and what was around the next corner, he walked out in front the whole way with me having to work my socks off. I actually had to slow him down! Totally different horse. 

I am glad he is feeling happier, and it is a weight off my shoulders knowing he is out and enjoying himself. Onwards and upwards for a fantastic summer, hacking and splashing in the river! 

Thanks for reading!