Well guys, the vet was out Friday for a few horses at the barn including Pammon (and I had him check on Shiny too after her stumble). Shiny seems to be just fine, with no real reason for her fall that he could find. We drew some blood to check her exposure to Lyme and EPM just in case though. He thinks probably we just need to have her toes rolled over a bit more. Hoping it's an isolated incident!
Pammon however, is another story. It actually seems that the area on his check that he initially injured has healed up pretty well. That's the good news. The bad news is that the meatier part of the check is completely (in my vet's actual words) shredded. SHREDDED. In other words, he really effed up his leg. It's a pretty big mystery as to how since he's been on stall rest and wrapped. But we all know horses will find a way.
I asked if this is career ending, and doc said "I'm not saying that." But he also didn't offer up a time frame or prognosis for return to a job as 1.3 meter jumper. I don't think the future is bright in that area to be honest. I mean, I have zero plans of jumping 1.3 meters, but I did hope to do the high adults. I don't think that will be in his future. And if it is, we're looking at next year at the earliest. As in 2021. Maybe I really need to step back and reevaluate my riding life you guys. I'm not sure I can keep getting my hopes to get back into the show ring, and then have my horse break down before I even get started. None of them have had the same injuries or even same types of injuries, so I can't for the life of me pinpoint what I'm doing wrong in their care.
This is going to sound SUPER WHINY but I am so tired of nursing and rehabbing horses. I feel like it's been nonstop for the last five years. I guess we'll see what Shiny wants to do with her life, and she'll just have to be my focus. Who would have thought my showing dreams would land on the back of a large pony as an almost 40 year old? Ha! Good thing I like ponies.
Oh Stacie, I am so so sorry. This isn't your fault - horses are freaking weirdos who enjoy finding creative ways to maim themselves. I wish I had some better consolation, but really you just deserve some whining.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I mean most of me knows that. Horses were pretty much put on this earth to figure out how to kill themselves I think. But if they could slow their roll I'd appreciate it!
DeleteUghhhhh I hate to read this. You whine away, you're entitled to it. Welcome to the adult pony riders club, although I wish you weren't joining under these circumstances.
ReplyDeleteAt least it's a fun club!
DeleteWell, shit. That's all I have right now. That and a severely depressed senior thoroughbred. Want to meet for some wine? Only half kidding...
ReplyDeleteYes please! Wine and chocolate should help. Sorry your TB is lonely... You should get a large pony too!
DeleteThen we can figure out a way for an adult pony hunter division? LOL
DeleteYes! That would be the most fun! But I want like children's pony heights.
DeleteThat super sucks! I can understand why you're frustrated, and you definitely deserve to whine all you want. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm trying to not whine TOO much. But sheesh.
DeleteYou are completely entitled to whine. And quite frankly, scream, swear, and throw things!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, thank you! I'm trying not to break anything else! Lol!
DeleteUgh, I'm so sorry it wasn't better news. What about a long term lease for your show hopes instead?
ReplyDeleteLeasing for me right now would just be giving away more money. Same investment really as owning and I still have all the bills for Shiny and Pammon even if Pammon isn't in work.
DeleteStacie you've really been dealt a nasty card and I am so sorry - that sucks! I think you are amazing in your horse care and management so do not think it is that :(
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't really think it is, but you have to wonder at some point.
DeleteUghhh thats so sucky ! You are totally allowed to whine about it. It is frustrating AF when its just one thing after an other.
ReplyDeleteIt's like an avalanche!
DeleteGosh darn it! (I actually said a different, much less appropriate phrase out loud). I am so, so sorry to read this Stacie :-( I'll send some cheese you can have with your wine, and better yet, you can have my share of wine too since I'm not drinking rn <3
ReplyDeleteHaha... you and me both! I've said some words lately... And yes, I'll help you out with all that wine you can't have right now!
Deleteugh horses. sometimes it might be easier to take up golf (but so much more boring). I hope the diagnosis is not as bad as it seems and maybe he will heal better than you think. I am so sorry though that has to be like a punch to the face! Hugs
ReplyDeleteLol... you should see me golf. It certainly would keep me busy. (I'm extraordinarily bad at trying to hit that little ball anywhere but 90 degrees to the left.)
Deleteoh no... :-( I'm so sorry to hear that about Pammon. Why, horses, why? You give them the best of care so do not think it is something you did or didn't do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I do try my best! They're just so delicate. And lack self preservation.
DeleteYou know what really pisses me off about this? Is that there are people who's horse care makes me cringe and those horses are fine! Fine! Like, what the hell universe? Give him his year to improve and see how it goes. Shiny is a lot of fun and can do a lot of things.
ReplyDeleteI think you should event Shiny. How much fun would that be and you could wear different boots in every part :)
DeleteRight? I know people who never do any maintenance on their horses, pick their feet out once a week, etc and the horses are totally fine. I don't get it!
DeleteLol... Shiny wiped out cantering the perfectly manicured GGT footing in the indoor... I don't think eventing is for her! lol!
Fricken horses. I'm so sorry about Pammon.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I said! Well sorta... different F word ;)
DeleteThank you!
Oh Stacie, my heart is breaking for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you <3
DeleteOMG this sucks. I'm so sorry. I'm just going to be a terrible person here for a minute and ask is he insured? Could you just like send him off to a rehab/retirement place for a year and sell him afterwards? He's not like your other boys who you'd had for a long time before their injuries. I dunno, just spitballing here. In the meantime, wine!
ReplyDeleteCan't say I haven't considered sending him off to rehab! Shorter term plan is that my vet has a treatment he'd like to try, so Pammon will likely spend a month at his clinic. I'm waiting to hear when they can take him. We'll have to see what we have if and when he heals and then decide what his future will be.
DeleteUnfortunately, he is not insured. I usually only do Mortality anyway, as I can afford most vet bills and am fortunate my dad will help if I need him. But I can't afford to shell out for a new horse, so the mortality is more helpful to me should I need it. Once you start making medical claims you get exclusions on the mortality, so I never used the medical in the past anyway.
Ugh, really sorry to hear this. Mine is lame right now too and is doing that fun thing where the lameness looks totally different depending on the day, so... I feel you. I'm glad you have Shiny to ride though, and I totally can't wait to see you show her. Why the fuck not? It would be awesome. And FUN.
ReplyDeleteUGH, HENRY! I don't know if you guys deal with it much down there, but lyme can be weird like that making the lameness show up in different places. Might be worth pulling some blood when/if you have the vet out. I'm so sorry, that totally sucks. I hope it's something quick and easy to fix.
DeleteI'm kind of excited to do things with Shiny too! I think I should lose like 20 lbs so I fit her better though... hahaha!
God that sucks about your boy!! I honestly don't know how these creatures have survived this long with all the ways they come up with to hurt themselves! :(
ReplyDeleteI swear, they were put on this earth to find ways to injure themselves!
DeleteOh god Stacie I’m so sorry. I hate this about horses. You can do everything right, follow the text book to the T, and still horses will find some awful catastrophe. Don’t give up tho. I don’t know what the answers are for Pammon, but there are always answers and options that are compatible with your plans.
ReplyDeleteI really think it's their main purpose on earth. To seek and destroy soundness! The check is the best of the ligaments to injure, so hopefully I'm just being a little ridiculous about the whole thing. Fingers crossed!
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