He's taken his injections very easily. Although there is one great big fat syringe full to go in, he isn't tensing his muscle against it, so it's flowing in very easily and quickly. Radar was a devil to do compared to Ace.
We've been out for a quarter hour walk, and he was moving easily. A little cautious downhill, but only being sensible I think. He's had a good old go at the masses of grass on the verge for a quarter of an hour too.
Tonight I think Radar can go in the barn with him. They seem settled together either side of the gate, and over a stable door. I will put one or other of them on the lead until they have had a little while to get used to being together. He trotted a couple of steps out of the door of the barn this morning, treating a low stone doorstep as a cavaletto. Boy did h e lift his back feet and flex those hocks!
I've sent the photo and a very mild 'is this right?' email to the head of the practice who knows me very well. I've also asked not to be billed for the first day that he was there when they did nothing with him. I'll let you know what his reply is.
For now, everything is looking very hunky dory, though I am thinking of giving hunting tomorrow a miss. The forecast is rain anyway, and it does seem to me to be a week early to go upsetting the balance of things again by removing Radar from home for the day. What do you think?
C
I think giving hunting a miss is very wise. Not worth the risk of an unsettled Ace when you take Radar away. Even if he is USUALLY okay, he has been through enough recently that he might decide Radar going is a stressful event.
ReplyDeleteI will be happy not to have to leave at nine, or spend the day worrying about Ace when neither of us are home. It's not the end of the world :-)
DeleteC
All sounding promising so far, keep following your own judgement, it's rarely wrong ;)
ReplyDeleteI can only hope that SH and I have it right this time, but between us we are animal aware, engineering literate and given to making decisions based on logic not emotion, so I think we have a good chance. Fingers crossed.
DeleteC
So far, so good. I also agree about skipping the hunt this week. Just as well not to take the chance of upsetting Ace at this point.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to know exactly how to handle the rehab at this point. I do think, from what I know of you, that you can certainly make the right decisions all along the way. And I am equally sure that Ace will "tell" you as well what you should do for him. Trust those gut instincts and your own super good "horse sense."
Rule number one. Listen to the horse, especially one as soft and giving as Ace.
DeleteC
it would be a mud bath if you did go out, Caroline... right decision, there. this is where butty came in useful, of course, company ....
ReplyDeleteI am a loop close to buying a pair so they can live together on the yard n summer!
DeleteC
I agree, that not going to the hunt is a good idea. You really don't want an upset Ace after all you have done and are hoping for, it's just not worth the risk.
ReplyDelete