Ace is so creaky this morning that I am on the point of putting him back on bute. He really does look stiff, and must have a very achey back. I feel so sorry for him, but it will all be fixed soon, hopefully. Only five more days to wait.
We are setting things up at home with an extension to the height of the gate between the field and the barn. So Ace can live in the barn and Radar on the field but they can talk to each other at the gate, with no danger that anyone is tempted to jump in or out.
Long term blog readers will recall that Ace has jumped a gate from a standstill once before when separated from Radar even though Jazz was by his side. We want none of that!
When we are happy that Ace is moving freely, then Radar can spend the night with him, and the day out in the field.
This time next week we will be planning picking him up from hospital. He should be in for four nights, then I'll have a very big doggy to take out for walks :-)
C
Poor Ace, time will pass quickly though. What's the rehab plan, does he have to be box rested? My friends horse has just had surgery for ks, she had him on grass in a stable sized plot with electric fence and kept moving it daily. Worked really well, you can hardly see a scar and he's one happy horse now he's allowed 'proper' turnout.
ReplyDeleteLyndac
One of the things I get really annoyed about Lynda is that they won't discuss the rehab until they've done the op. It happened with Jazz and the tie back too. It makes me really cross. I'm about to force the issue and demand an answer.
ReplyDeleteC
Good for you, how else can you plan your management. I can understand any plan may need tweeking after the op depending on how it goes but a broad outline is surely possible x
ReplyDeleteExactly my feeling.
DeleteC
- especially since they have seen pics of the problem so should have a pretty good idea of how it's going to go.
ReplyDeleteI know it's summer but will the heat lamp help alleviate the pain for now?
Good thought ML, I'll feed him there this morning.
DeleteC
Good move fixing that gate. I don't think a jumping expedition would be good for either boy under the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWish you had more specifics about the layup. The hand walking is a given, but you need to know if he needs box rest at all. I would think minimized turnout area where he can get a little exercise on his own would be good, but what if he starts being silly?
By the by, there was a Thoroughbred mare here in the USA given the surgery. She was being rehabbed at Rerun, a horse rescue. The latest report I found is that she is sound, painfree, adopted and doing super well.
It was noted in an earlier article that the surgery was "inexpensive," at around $1000 US. I suspect that does not include the stay at the vet hospital and care.
All this bodes well for Ace. The surgery is well past the purely experimental stage when it's able to cross the ocean!
I have to admit to being quite proud it was a British discovery Jean. It seems so successful that it's spreading like wildfire.
ReplyDeleteC
Had a great update on Paddy, who had the op 8 weeks ago - on my blog today. Em has been walking him out in hand daily and his feet are doing as well as his back :-) Think he has had some turnout too, but email me if you want to get in touch with her.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I just replied by email! That'll go into a black hole somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI think Paddy had the spinal process removal? In theory, at eight weeks I should be riding Ace, because the ligament cutting operation is so much less traumatic.
Fingers crossed!
C