Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Warning: gross photos below. I am probably going to lose track of which week I am on, but for this count, I know he has been home for a week. When I took the bandages off on Friday afternoon, I got a little worried. The bandages smelled really bad, like they have every time, and the wound had changed in character. It was still as wide and as long, but it was starting to puff out. It also looked more like hamburger than the inside a chicken leg. Gross images of raw meat: While I am a very good cook and have a fair amount of experience with different cuts of meat, I do not want to see a wound on my horse that resembles something from the butcher's window. When Dr. Tolley examined the wound last Saturday, I was so shocked by the hugeness of the gash that I was more focused on the treatment protocol - how to apply the five bandage layers correctly, than on asking too many questions. The one thing that I always ask when dealing with an injury or illness, which I completely forgot to do, is what should I expect over the next two weeks? Even though I knew Dr. Tolley wasn't going be in the office on Saturday, I called anyway knowing that I could at least speak to Dr. Gonzalez, BVH's newest doctor. Sure enough, the receptionist put him on the phone almost immediately. Fortunately, I had caught him just before he headed out for a field call. I always take my horses in for treatment, but given the severity of this wound, I hadn't wanted to put Izzy back in the trailer, unwrapped, for yet another road trip. Instead, I opted to pay the ranch call and have Dr. Tolley bring the hospital to me. Because of that, Dr. Gonzalez hadn't yet seen the wound. I described Izzy's injury and tried to explain what it now looked like. He assured me that it sounded as though it was healing well, but asked if I could send some photos for him to exam. Photos? Oh, yeah ... I have lots of photos. I sent the following two photos (warning - grossness follows) and was relieved at his quick response. * * * * * * Hi Karen: The therapy protocol recommend by Dr. Tolley was this:
When I am finished it looks like this. We have our first follow-up appointment on Saturday where Dr. Tolley will probably need to debride the wound. Proud flesh will likely become an issue. At the appointment, he will decide whether to change out the Biozide gel for something to inhibit the development of proud flesh. While he hasn't said so, I am assuming, and budgeting for, every other week visits for the month of February. With a wound this large and open, I would rather have someone with a degree monitor the condition of the wound rather than simply trust my own judgement. I paid for Dr. Tolley's first visit over the phone, so I hadn't seen his write up. His medical notes finally arrived over the weekend, here is what it said: I feel lucky to have access to such a knowledgeable and friendly staff of doctors. Not every vet hospital will put the vet on the phone and let you chat with him (or her). While Dr. Tolley is my regular vet, it's nice to have finally worked with Dr. Gonzalez. I would definitely feel comfortable having him treat my boys in the future.
1/19/2015 10:15:23 am
Thanks. It doesn't seem to bother him too much as it is. :0)
jenj
1/19/2015 01:54:58 am
Glad that it's healing nicely! And I agree, a great vet staff is peace of mind! 1/19/2015 10:16:44 am
Thanks, and they sure make my life easier (vets, that is).
martina peterson
1/19/2015 02:32:06 am
Izzy's injury sure looks narly but I'm glad you feel comfortable with your vet. It sounds like you have everything under control. I know it's okay to pray for our pets and so I am love mom 1/19/2015 10:18:27 am
He's doing great, Paola! He's a real steady Soldier about the bandage changes, and most importantly, he seems really happy and settled in his new home. :0) 1/19/2015 10:20:03 am
After what you've been through lately, I feel even more grateful to have such a knowledgeable team of vets just minutes away. Izzy is feeling fine and doing well. :0)
If it makes you feel any better, my first pony had an injury similar but worse to Izzy. His cannon bone was exposed almost all the way around the front and he severed his common extensor tendon. He took a long time to heal but was back to galloping and jumping with no lameness issues, ever again. He lived for about another 5 years after that. 1/19/2015 10:21:49 am
Thanks for sharing, Lisa. It's always encouraging to hear success stories. I don't tend to worry too much about this stuff; it doesn't really help. The best thing for me to do is to follow the vet's directions and be consistent. I trust his judgement. :0) 1/20/2015 09:24:57 am
Sorry for the gross photos, but that's really what it looks like! :0)
Cindy
1/20/2015 02:07:05 am
His wound actually looks like it's healing really well even though it's ugly. Just keep wrapping...just keep wrapping. I had one horse get kicked about 6 inches below the point of his hock and ended up with a nasty glob of proud flesh that had to be surgically removed. Another peeled his leg like Izzy. Learned a lot about surgical wrapping and consistency, both ended up perfectly fine! 1/20/2015 09:27:49 am
Very good to know! I am hoping and praying that the proud flesh doesn't develop, but we're prepared if it does. And I don't find the wrapping to be a difficulty. Fortunately, he has learned to stand very quietly which means I get the job done in just a few minutes. Tonight was the first time I wrapped it without a handler and he stood like a total veteran. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI 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. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy 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.
About IzzyIzzy 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.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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