The journal of the once and future rider

[1 morejump]

Yay! I have my journal! And I think that the best way to start off is by explaining the title.  "The Once and Future rider" is technically about Lance and I but refers to the fact that I haven't been on a horse in about a year.  I used to ride a lot but haven't in ages and won't for a long while still.

Some of you may know this, most of you don't, but I'll keep it short.  Lance's front feet are clubbed and I never really found out until last August when we had x-rays done. :(  So until now he has had time off because it is painful for him to carry a rider.  However, our barn is maybe a week away from being done (needed for 6 weeks stall rest) and Lance has a surgery scheduled for Aug. the 16th to correct the problem.

So I figured that a journal now would be good because we still work on ground manners, and loading in the trailer.  He will go in but teaching him to back out is taking work.  I am doing target training with him to teach him to back up when I touch the target to his chest.  So far its working out, the poor boy fell out of the trailer once when a panicked about getting out so we are slowly building up enough confidence in me and himself to back out.

So thats where we're starting, who knows where it will end.

[shoveltrash]

oh Mary!  i didn't realize Lance's surgery was coming up so soon!  what are they going to do? (surgical nurse in me is curious)

wonderful that you have started your own journal  .
i look forward to reading all about you & Lance!

[epona]

Lots of <<<VIBES>>> for poor old Lance    I do so hope that this will help, I also look forwards to your journal

[1 morejump]

what are they going to do?

The surgery is called Accessory Carpal Ligament resection.  They go in and cut the ligament, the vet said that when they do it on the table you can see everything just relax into place.  Then the scar tissue fills in and heals it out to the proper length and they have their full range of motion.
Basically the inferior check ligament in his knees is too tight and inhibits his full range of motion.  Usualy the check ligament keeps the legs from over extending and causing damage, in Lance's case since he can't extend his legs out all the way it hurts to take full steps under a rider. 

This is his left front, it is worse than his right.  The red circle is around a bone spur that the deep flexor tendon has created because the inferior check is holding it too tight.  You can also see how the coffin bone looks like it is pulled up in the back and pointing down, all that stems from his knees.  He doesn't have the shoes on anymore, they were just a last ditch effort to fix it, but they didn't help much. He also had long heels, it was all an effort to raise everything up to keep the leg from streching too much, but since I'm not riding he is comfey barefoot.  I am pretty optimistic about the whole thing, we have a teriffic surgon who will be doing the operation and the region's leading expert on lameness is helping us.  She says the surgery is very sucessful with excellent long term results.

[epona]

Cripes!!  Poor old Lance :(  Bestest of luck for the surgery hun

[shoveltrash]

 :(  yes, 'poor Lance' indeed.  but this sounds like a good treatment option......thanks for showing the xray.  that is one serious bone spur! 

how long will the recovery period be? 

[twinkle11]

poor lance hope the operation goes well i relly do


good luck lance

[1 morejump]

how long will the recovery period be?

After the surgery until fullwork is about 4 months. 

[Heather]

Very interesting Mary and hope all goes well. Becky did in hand and long reining work in walk with Fanta to keep him supple and fit after his laminitis- he was sound in the indoor school- and this may be of benefit to Lance too.

Heather

[Diane Smith]

Oh Bless him, I hope everything goes really well and the surgery is a great sucess,

 

Hugs for you both.

Thank you for showing the xray, it's very interesting

[1 morejump]

  He went in the trailer!!!!!  5 times!!!!  Clicker training is such a blessing, we would have done more but I ran out of cookies! A year ago he had a stumble out of the trailer and he is taking it really well now.  I took out the center divider and he can get and and turn around and walk out.  I know he should back out  : but I just need to get him to the vets and back in one piece and then I will fine tune everything. 

I am just so happy with him right now, he was begging to go back in!  He didn't have to back out and he still got his treats.  One happy camper!

1 week to the surgery. Nervous but optomistic.

[shoveltrash]

Mary that is such a big accomplishment!  congrats  .  i hope Lance's surgery goes well.

[luckyrider]

Ah, good luck to him!!!  Is he the one that likes to chase the tyre around the place???

[1 morejump]

  Yup, he does love his tire. 

Does anyone have any good ideas for keeping a horse occupied on stall rest?

[shoveltrash]

a radio playing soothing music

lots of stuff to munch on

maybe a 'toy' or two (Likit is a good one)

lots of cuddles, grooming, special attention!
 


GOOD LUCK LANCE!