Yep, Encore decided a whole month was far too long to be separated from Dr. Bob. Despite the terror-inducing zombie cows that live at the vet clinic (
so Encore says).
While Encore was getting stronger,
his feet are healing, & he did fairly well
in our lesson, I still felt I might be missing something. It's that little feeling you can't quite put your finger on. And since you are a horse owner,
the obvious solution is to throw money at it!
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Encore's Kent & Masters - love! |
Looking at him from the ground, I could see the tightness in his hind end. I also checked the fit of
his dressage saddle after our lesson & noticed that I needed to narrow it a bit until his topline redeveloped. Which explained the knots behind his withers I'd been massaging, as the panels were pressing down in the front. He was also getting quite crabby about picking up his right lead.
I always expect some muscle soreness bringing a horse back into work & rebuilding muscle. However, there was just enough weight on the "
I just want peace of mind" side of the fence to push me over & make me hook up the trailer.
I Don't Call Him Batman For Nothing
It was worth the trip. And while paying vet bills is never any fun, there is
no such thing as a Dr. Bob visit where you don't learn ten things & get lots of good stories!
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What do you mean I have FOUR legs??! |
My hypothesis was, for once, pretty accurate. Dr. Bob confirmed that the saddle was indeed collapsing a bit up front behind his shoulders. Encore got his withers & shoulders adjusted back into place with much relief.
He also had a very sore muscle bruise on the lower half of his left hindquarter, a likely result of an incident BFF reported when I was traveling for work: Encore had an idiot moment galloping across his paddock, once again forgot he had back feet, slipped, & fell hard on his left side.
She said he hopped back up, she checked him over thoroughly & walked him out, and I checked him out when I got home. We found no evidence of injury & he was moving evenly. He's not exactly in heavy work these days either!
It's Going To Be Ok...Today
Dr. Bob showed me how to feel out the spot in the muscle where he said there was probably just some fiber separation that was healing. I'm just to massage in the Majykal Butacore Creme Of Awesome & keep him moving as he finishes out recovery.
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Our farm pond is zen |
Overall, good news, some minor tweaks, and the plan & peace of mind I was looking for! His feet & shoes got the thumbs up, so we can keep
moving creeping forward. Which I was thrilled to hear just as the gorgeous fall weather has begun!
All I Need Is Time
Who needs a bank balance anyway?? For now, Encore will just have to think up something new, since this one didn't get him out of work. In the meantime, he gets to enjoy medicated ass massages while I
schedule the saddle fitter for some wool adjustment & dig through the couch cushions for $1200 to
stock our winter hay! 0.0
Today, though, the grass is still green & the air is crisp & perfect, making it worth every bit as I can hear the satisfied nomming of two happy horses floating through the open windows. I think I might have earned a nap after dragging pastures & detailing horses this morning...
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The best kind of sunset has horses in it |