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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Izzy's Leg: Update 20

9/3/2015

 
Alright. This should be my last update on Izzy's leg. It seems to have healed over completely although if you look really closely at the center of the wound, you can see a tiny area that has a scab that should probably be picked off. I am done with scab picking though, so it can just dry up and fall off on its own.

There is zero swelling anymore and he's sound as a dollar (and has been since day one). Now all that's left is for the scar to shrink and fade away. Many of you have recommended a variety of oils or treatments to help reduce the scar, but I've hesitated until I was certain that the wound was closed completely. As of the end of August, I feel confident that this puppy is done.
Picture
August 29, 2015
This has been a very long process, all of which started with a phone call on January 6, 2015. I first saw the laceration on January 10th wherein I immediately placed a call to my fabulous vet, Dr. John Tolley of Bakersfield Vet Hospital. When he saw the wound, he shook his head in disgust at the treatment vet's care and later diagnosis. The treatment vet claimed it would heal in ten days. This has been the longest "ten days" in the history of the world!

Over the past eight months, I regularly photographed the healing process. For the first five or six months, I took a photograph each time I re-wrapped the wound, which was every other day for four months. Let's just say that I have a lot of photos! In the early months the wound showed rapid changes from one week to the next. Here's an example.
Picture
February 27, 2015
Picture
Just 9 days later on March 7, 2015
Towards the end of the healing process, the skin took much longer to knit together, or epithelialize. I was slower to take photos during that period as the changes were almost impossible to see.

In early April, the wound looked nearly closed, and my vet gave the okay to remove the pressure bandage. That night, the leg swelled up enormously, tearing the skin open which set us on a course of frustration. Each time I removed the bandage for a day or two, the leg would re-swell, tearing open the wound again.
Picture
April 11, 2015
Picture
April 12, 2015
Throughout the summer, I began reducing the size of the bandage and eliminated much of the padding while also wrapping it looser and looser. Eventually, the bandage put about as much pressure on the leg as a sock. I then weaned the leg of even that bit of pressure by removing the bandage for several hours a day. Eventually I was able to wrap for 24 hours and then leave the bandage off for 24 hours. 

Ultimately, I removed the bandage completely and let the leg's circulatory system struggle to re-establish its equilibrium, much to Izzy's and my relief. That was in early August. I continue to pick at it now and then, but like I said earlier, I am kind of over the scab-picking thing. Now, I use a jelly scrubber on it each day to remove any dead pieces of skin or loose scabs. He's not sensitive to the touch, and the skin is thick and hard. At this stage, the skin is tough enough that I don't even use polos or leg wraps anymore when I ride.

Over the past eight months, I've been adding photos to a slide show. It's just over three minutes long and includes a remake of Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim," sung by Josh Turner. The first dozen photos are a bit graphic, so if you're squeamish, peek through your fingers for those.

And with that, here's a time lapsed video of Izzy's leg laceration from start to finish.
Lauren link
9/2/2015 11:57:56 pm

That took forever, but it really did heal nicely!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2015 06:37:12 pm

You're right, it did, but nothing lasts forever, and it was a reminder that even this will pass. :0)

Judy
9/3/2015 12:07:01 am

Wow! What a journey the two of you have been on!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2015 06:38:01 pm

We definitely know each a lot better, that's for sure! That kind of happens when you see the insides of someone. :0)

emma link
9/3/2015 01:37:13 am

ugh what a nightmare - and what a relief for it to finally be healed!! phew!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2015 06:39:07 pm

I know it looked bad, and it was tedious at times, but truthfully, he was such a trooper that the constant wrapping was done with very little fuss, lots of money, but little fussing. :0)

Jan link
9/3/2015 03:01:32 am

Holy crud! Quite the journey. Is the vet still optimistic about all the hair growing back?

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2015 06:41:00 pm

Dr. Tolley hasn't seen it in awhile, but earlier he said that it would take about a year once it was healed and over that time it would slowly shrink and fade. I hope that's still the plan. :0)

Carly
9/3/2015 04:06:40 am

I forgot how bad it looked initially! Pretty amazing what horses can heal from. He looks so great now!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2015 06:42:49 pm

When I look at the pictures, I am often shocked at how scary it was. Seeing it EVERY SINGLE DAY helped remove the shock value which was replaced with total fascination at the healing process.

Hillary link
9/3/2015 05:54:12 am

It's so much better. Fingers crossed the hair grows back okay. I've had good luck with vet set which I'm pretty sure is just cocoa butter concoction. It worked on all of Houstons various self maiming attempts.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/4/2015 06:47:05 pm

I am going to try straight vitamin E first, but a friend recommended that I try the gel capsules and cut them open. She feels that the human digestible version is of better quality. If that doesn't seem to make a difference, I'll switch to another product. Thanks for the suggestion. I found the Vet Set at Big Dees and it does have cocoa butter and vitamin e.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home