December 14, 2015

The Double Whammy

While I waited for Dr. Bob last Tuesday morning, I was fully prepared to hear Encore had torn a meniscus or something & I'd have a full-fledged retirement farm.

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.

May be 1/2-finished clip revenge
Dr. Bob's 2nd Weekly Visit

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.

Phone did something to pics...
However, the cycle shall be broken.  Dammit.

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.

12 comments:

  1. 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 :)

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    1. Thanks! We're all rather soft around here, we keep getting older, sigh, but just have to keep moving - every step is a win.

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  2. I find having a set plan that I can act upon really helps - good luck with your progress!

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    1. Thanks & so far, definitely has helped having concrete goals. We're doing great...at walking up hills, LOL.

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  3. Man 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!

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  4. ugh 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!

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    1. Thanks -- definitely glad this one wasn't "the worst."

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  5. Glad Encore will be okay and you have a solid plan. Thanks for the links I am keeping those tucked away for the future :)

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    1. Thanks & you're welcome! Awesome neighbours are awesome for so many reasons.

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  6. Hi 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.

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    1. Hi 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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