Oh, by the way, yeah, two days after Solo's "little" clinic visit, Encore decided he wanted to help keep me in poverty too.
But before I tell that story, I want to say a massive THANK YOU to each of you who commented & emailed & sent messages of support following my sad discovery of Solo's injury. Words can be powerful & their meaning is beyond value when compassion is needed most. Truly.
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| May be 1/2-finished clip revenge |
After an attempt at a "consolation ride" on Saturday, hoping Encore would help lift my spirits, he informed me after a barely-pulse-raising 15-minute ride that his stifles were so sore that I was not to touch them.
I was not very consoled.
Much as I enjoy Dr. Bob's breadth of story-telling & educational treatises, I really prefer not to see him twice in four days. And given Friday's news, I may have been a wee bit pessimistic as his truck pulled up to the shed.
I Get Somewhat Consoled
He allayed my fears after a hands-on exam & circled my "best case scenario." Due to my intense work project demanding lots of travel since August, combined with other physical constraints, I've just been caught in a vicious cycle.
As previously noted, Encore gets bored & plays hard. When he's not fit, soft tissue & joints are loose, & he jams himself up performing impressive sliding stops & other pasture escapades. Then, because he's made himself sore, I don't push him, so he doesn't get fit.
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| Phone did something to pics... |
Work project has been wrapped up (ok, I decreed it wrapped up). Encore got a shot of cortisone in each stifle to bring down inflammatory soreness, along with a steroid to help boost our ability to build muscle & tighten everything up.
I've got a schedule to try out, a back-to-work program - it comes in
versions from a clinic my neighbour has taken several horses to (brain needs small, concrete tasks at this point). I'll tweak it a bit here & there to fit us.
Our 30 days began Saturday, with a hair-raising...er, bareback walking session. Eh, it was beautiful out. Barring ginormous storms, hopefully in four weeks Mr. Porky will be a bit closer to Mr. Sexy.
Oh good grief, what would we do without the stress and heartache our horses cause us? I am glad that Encore's issues are due to lack of muscle and him just being a dork. I think that's what causes my Sunny-girl's occasional stifle/hip issues as well. Fingers crossed and many jingles sent your way for Encore's return to being Mr. Sexy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! We're all rather soft around here, we keep getting older, sigh, but just have to keep moving - every step is a win.
DeleteI find having a set plan that I can act upon really helps - good luck with your progress!
ReplyDeleteThanks & so far, definitely has helped having concrete goals. We're doing great...at walking up hills, LOL.
DeleteMan you just can't get a break! But now you can focus on THE PLAN and hopefully that will keep you from imagining nightmare scenarios!
ReplyDeleteFrom your lips to their ears!
Deleteugh how frustrating - but then again what a relief that it wasn't a worst-case scenario. good luck w the 30day plan, definitely let us know how it works!
ReplyDeleteThanks -- definitely glad this one wasn't "the worst."
DeleteGlad Encore will be okay and you have a solid plan. Thanks for the links I am keeping those tucked away for the future :)
ReplyDeleteThanks & you're welcome! Awesome neighbours are awesome for so many reasons.
DeleteHi there! Thanks for coming over and introducing yourself on my blog earlier. I was sorry to read about solo as well. Vet bills are no fun at all, especially in December when everything else is going on. I am currently getting together my own pony fitness plan. It's cool that you're familiar with the Croatan. If you wanna come back down again I would love to ride with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie & thanks for stopping by! I hope that someday before the end of time we get to get back out & have fun adventures again -- you're definitely filed into the "fellow NC online horsey people" notes, hee. May all the ponies get fit uneventfully!
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