I wasn't on top form yesterday. I didn't enjoy hunting as much as I should have done given the lovely day we had. I was feeling very antisocial and sat at the checks in my own little dreamworld a lot of the time instead of socialising. In the lorry on the way home I suddenly realised that my problem was Ace, and how incredibly close we are now to knowing whether his problems are resolved ...... and the nightmare that will ensue if they are not. No wonder I'm a bit tense. eh?
I'm irritated at the rehab instructions again now. I have reported how Ace appeared to be irritated by the saddle on the scars. Jean pointed me in the direction of information that makes it clear that scar irritiation building up from 3 weeks post-operative is a very well known phenomenon in humans. So why should it not be in horses? I think the possibility should be mentioned in the rehab notes.
Yesterday I set out on a campaign of massaging the actual scars, and I found one very small spot that made Ace grunt and drop his back. I massaged them for a second time today and the spot was not reactive any more. On top of that, he was much less reactive to the saddle. He looked back only once, and very briefly at that.
I have been 'noisy' with the girth and the saddle in general. Not rough, but busy, pushy, pully - things that would upset him if he was having problems with either his back or his stomach.
I leant over him yesterday from a high vantage point that I have available in the yard and he didn't react even when I took my feet off the floor. I did the same again today. Then I put my foot in the stirrup and he didn't care, so I stood in it and he didn't care about that either. So I thought 'what the hell' and swung my leg over.
He stamped with a hind foot, which was a warning sign in the past, but he didn't tense up at all. I patted his neck and got off. Then I got back on again and put my feet in the stirrups and sat patting him, and he was perfectly relaxed. Nothing like the horse radiating fear and tension who I last sat on, even though he was then on two bute a day.
I will continue to sit on him for a few seconds each day until we go on holiday on Friday, and then on Tuesday 15th, we should be going for a short hack.
We reached a major, major milestone today and I am much happier than I was!
C
YES! Well that's a big step in the right direction. Agree with you re the rehab notes, its important that owners realise and understand.
ReplyDeleteHopefully now after such a positive step excitement begins to outweigh fear and trepedation.
Lyndac
Lyndac
I'm starting to believe it now Lynda:-)
ReplyDeleteC
Glad to hear the article helped. Thought the massaging techniques were interesting too.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the news about your sitting in the saddle is really exciting! Ace's reaction is even better news. Now that you have a plan, go for it.
You could write up a good set of rehab instructions yourself at this point. Since Ace is going to be their "poster child" perhaps they could post some useful rehab information as well. Just a thought. It all depends on how generous you feel about it all.
I want to help other horses and owners Jean, and I have it all typed up. I don't think they'll use it though, they are too wedded to their box rest in this country.
ReplyDeleteC