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We Are Flying Solo

March 22, 2016

And Just Like That, It's Over

But it was spectacular...
Dr. Bob just left with my last piece of hope.  Encore has torn a cruciate ligament in his left stifle, which means jumping is just not going to work.  I was told there was nothing I could have done to prevent it, I'll have to work on convincing my brain of that.

I'll write more later when I can see, but we won't see a horse trial again.  We did blister that stifle, as it will still tighten the laxity in the joint.  Dr. Bob says we can still hit the trails, still climb mountains, which is Encore's favourite thing anyway.

I'm pretty tired of writing "still."  Rehabbing that stifle will begin in a day or two with W/T work & I can add canter when he feels ready.  Which I'm posting as a reminder to myself that (hopefully, can you cut me ONE dang break, universe??) all isn't lost, because most of my favourite riding experience & memories are our many expeditions.  And I suppose it saves me a lot of money in entries.

But my Training Level horse, who was all ready to take me to my 3-Day...nope.  Horses...why?

   

43 comments:

  1. I'll pour one out on the street for you my homie. *big hugs*

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  2. Oh wow, that's heartbreaking. So sorry to read this. :(

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  3. Well... shit. The words "I'm sorry" just sound so hollow right now. :(

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  4. Oh no! I am so, so sorry... I've been through this and I won't go on about my story but what I will say is that you could not have done anything to cause it. In order to tear that ligament, he had to do something catastrophic, like get cast or caught under a fence... Horses! God we love them but they are heartbreakers. Sending you hugs.

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    1. Thanks - my fence has lots of break away and back up break away, but vet said most common is they just step wrong at a bad force loading moment. I'll never know when or how, unfortunately .

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  5. I'm sorry - such hard news :(

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  6. So sorry - I get it . . . After lil' ones accident I have a different horse too - but grateful for the one that is still here . . . <3

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    1. Indeed there are worse things and given that we don't walk in blind (especially after the first one), it's good to keep it in perspective .

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  7. I am so sorry. It's an answer to all that's been not working but it's a sucky one. There's nothing I can say that would make it better. I've been there and had my heart broken by horses and hopes. All I can say is that you are not alone.

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  8. Oh my goodness, I'm so very sorry. I wish I could punch 'life'for you. Sending you hugs from Idaho.

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    1. If you pass it on the street, you have my full permission .

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  9. I'm so sorry. Big hugs.. it's so hard to have to mourn our dreams. :( We're here for you!

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    1. Very much so, my supply is pretty low. Thanks, man.

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  10. So sorry:( It is tough when plans are cut short. Glad he will still have the trails.

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    1. He better - he must at least earn his hay. The farm Overlord Horse position is taken .

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  11. I am so heartbroken for you. Very sorry to read this :( Here's to the many adventures you can and will still have, but it is more than ok to mourn the loss of what could have been. Horses. They will break your heart every time. Ugh.

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  12. Completely heart breaking! So sorry to read this!

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  13. One day, we're gonna take an epic trail ride with our broken ponies. Thinking of you!

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    1. I dumped a scrap load on the burn pile today. Then I checked the fire weather report for today - and it's a no burn. :/

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  14. I am so, so sorry. Heartbreaking isn't a strong enough word.

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  15. Well.... just @?<*#$^*(!, Brena. I am so, SO sorry. This is so NOT FAIR. I guess stem cells and/or PRP are not on the table? (I read that Prac Horse article your stifle graphic linked to) No matter what, I will be praying for good healing from the blister, and hoping that you and your orange boy will be back to trail riding adventures ASAP. I am thinking of you...

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    1. Thanks and unfortunately no - while they may help with very mild tears of menisci or small tendon lesions, it's not physiologically possible to repair that level of laxity in an animal that big. Glad you found the article, I found that and several other resources very helpful with excellent explanations that expanded my own education on both the structure and biomechanical suite of functions, as well as the advances in veterinary science.

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  16. I wish you had been given better news. This stinks.

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  17. My heart just sank for you. I am so, so sorry to hear this. Gah. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks - I also can't help but feel bad for Dr. Bob, he was trying so hard to not make me cry more while making sure he gave me the details about the bottom line that I love him for. He's had to break me about Solo twice and he put down my beloved old dog for me with such compassion. He was digging deep for something that would make me feel better, I want to make him a card.

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  18. Damn - so sorry... Oh magic wand, where are you when we need you?! (((hugs)))

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    1. Let me know if you see it, I'll send my address...

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  19. This is not effing fair. WTF Universe. I am SO sorry...i can't even formulate words. Sorry doesn't seem right to say

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  20. Sorry to hear this. Horses can be such heartbreakers. Glad you will be able to trail ride the boy though...

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    1. Endings are inevitable, it'd just be really nice if the transition to the next chapter would've waited a bit, sigh. :(

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  21. I am so, so sorry to hear this. Sending you big internet hugs!

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  22. Hi there...only now catching up on your news. My heart goes out to you and your pony :/ enjoy your trails though!

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    1. Hey Julie -- thanks & I do hope we can do the trails. We're walking & backing right now, but it's something.

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