It's long past time for an update. Things have been.... rotten. I've been having to stay late at work, it's been a million degrees outside (see this post http://rdxhorses.blogspot.com/2016/06/i-miss-riding.html to see how hot it's been for the last two months), I injured my knee, then Chrome started limping (see below) and now the slipped disc in my neck is flaring up.... yeah. I miss riding!
Chrome was limping... head bobbing lame... at the trot, but fine at the walk and was galloping up eagerly to see me.... the only thing I could find was this.
There was no heat in the hoof or leg, no swelling anywhere, etc. He's on a six week trimming cycle. I'm thinking it may need to move down to four. His hooves have never cracked before, even when they were long. I think it's the wet/dry/wet/dry weather we've been having. I've never seen such a rainy, miserable, wet summer here before. Normally it goes a couple of months with no rain at all, but this year it's been raining every few days for months. We've had multiple power outages from electrical storms.
My farrier had heat stroke so she couldn't come trim him when he started limping, but hubby did trim and rasp his hoof, then I soaked it and treated all of them just to prevent thrush/white line because it's been running rampant in our area. He was much improved the next day. I'm so relieved. It terrifies me when he's lame, especially because he hasn't ever really limped before except when he had the abscess, but he wasn't three legged lame like that this time. He didn't even limp the time he had the puncture wound in his hock!
Anyway while I was doing all of that to his hooves I apparently twisted wrong because the next day the nerve pain was back in my neck and shoulder. It's only been three months since that original nightmare and I'm feeling really down about it. I'm fortunate that this time isn't as bad, but I definitely won't be doing any riding for a while. :(
So that's our sad, pathetic update. It will be okay though. We are tough and we will survive it. :)
I've been thinking about you, wondering what's up. So sorry work and pain have eclipsed your fun time with the horses. I wouldn't worry about those chips in the hoof wall. That's natural. You can nip them off, but they come off on their own. You'd be a nervous wreck around my place. I always have at least one horse that is lame. We had a series of rain storms, so now I have to treat everyone for thrush and abscesses again. And Lostine spazzes out whenever Rock gets near her, so she kicked herself and took the fur and skin right off her fetlock. I hope your farrier is okay. Heat stroke is no joke.
ReplyDeleteYeah and she's had it before... She is doing better though.
DeleteThat sucks that you have the lameness issues so much. Do you think it's the wet/dry thing? The weather has been really weird this year.
Thanks for always reading and commenting. I appreciate it. :) Some day when my life isn't so hectic I'll get back to reading blogs. I miss reading your adventures!
We have been having wet/dry issues, too. It is made worse by riding across rivers so often. Starry's having a terrible time with his club foot chipping off huge hunks--and he even has shoes to protect his hoof. It has been so terribly hot, here--I don't know how you can live down south. Yeah, you guys are tough and will get through it all.
ReplyDeleteUgh so sorry you're dealing with it too. It's so frustrating.
DeleteI used to love the hot summers until I got my thyroid condition treated haha. Now I can't handle the heat like I used to. Oh well, it's worth it for the short, mild winters hehe. I'd much rather deal with the heat and have sun and blue skies, than to deal with the cold, wet, gray, miserably, yucky winter days hehe. Fall is the best though. Best of both worlds with no pests hehe.
Red has been lame since the 1st of July - two abscesses + thrush and possibly a bowed tendon (having that checked on tuesday, it's doubtful but still double checking) and I'm feeling your pain. Try putting him on Biotin for his hooves, that will help keep them stronger for longer AND it's actually helped Red a ton with his sweet itch :) He's been on it for less than two months and his mane has grown so much.
ReplyDeleteAww I'm so sorry about Red! Thanks for the update. I feel bad I haven't been reading. Fingers crossed the vet check goes well...
DeleteThat's interesting about the biotin. I've been wanting to try it. Which supplement are you using?
I get mine at tractor supply, not sure on the brand but any brand of biotin should do the trick! :)
DeleteSorry to hear about Chrome being lame, it is so hard when you have a broken horse. I will agree with Kalin, a biotin supplement has helped Mia a lot. We have done Biotin Plus from Uckele and it was okay enough and has reduced the cracking/flaking about 80%. I have swapped to Grand Hoof now and she has been on it a month. I am curious to see if it will make a difference because it is supposed to be a better supplement.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better and can ride your pony soon.
Thank you. Keep me updated on how you like Grand Hoof. I'm going to try to get to town this weekend to find something to try with him. If it would help both his hooves and sweet itch that would be awesome.
DeleteThinking of you, so sorry you are unable to do your riding challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you. As long as he heals and is sound I don't care about the challenge. We can do it next year. So far, so good. He trotted out in the pasture the other day and wasn't head bobbing lame anymore. :)
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