Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
After I rode Speedy on Thursday, I turned him out to roll. After he did that, he played and ran and then picked up speed and ran some more. He didn't run or play any harder than usual, but when I brought him out of his stall on Saturday, I noticed a distinctly unhealthy looking swelling on the back of his canon bone. It was small, but it was there. My heart sank. That particular swelling goes with only one thing, a tendon bow. I called my vet that day, but he wasn't working that particular Saturday, and while I have the utmost respect for BVH's other doctors, I wanted to see Dr. Tolley. We scheduled the appointment for mid-week. As soon as he saw the swelling, Dr. Tolley had a good idea of what was wrong, but an ultrasound was needed to determine the degree of the injury in order to formulate a treatment plan. The good news is that the damage is so small that Dr. Tolley had a hard time finding it. And even though he landed on a questionable dark area, he was the first to admit that the ultrasound machine is not his specialty as he doesn't see a ton of sport horses on a daily basis. Even without being an ultrasound expert, he felt that the spot was questionable enough to take it seriously. He had no issue with me pursing a second opinion, but I don't need to do that. Dr. Tolley tends toward the conservative end of things which means he gives the worst case scenario and outlines an appropriate treatment plan. So if that dark spot isn't tendon damage, we're certainly not going to hurt Speedy or make the condition worse by treating it as a minor bow. So for now, here's Dr. Tolley's treatment plan:
This is most certainly not what I wanted to hear as show season begins. In fact, we were supposed to be at show this Saturday and Sunday, a USDF show (I am still trying to get at least a partial refund). But, it is what it is and crying over it isn't going to help at all. Instead, I will now have plenty of energy to focus on getting Izzy into the show ring. That's why I have two horses.
Look out, Izzy, you've been called up! 3/10/2016 06:30:09 am
That really stinks! Here's to "Speedy's" healing though and lots of breakthroughs with Izzy since he can have your full attention.
Carly
3/10/2016 06:30:14 am
Oh that is such a bummer! It's always something, isn't it? Hopefully he heals up quickly and Izzy keeps himself out of trouble in the meantime!
jenj
3/10/2016 07:31:19 am
Whaaaat?!?! NOOO! Oh man, I'm so sorry, that just sucks. I hope Speedy recovers quickly and that in the meantime, you make lots of progress with Izzy!
Jamie
3/10/2016 07:37:52 am
No.... I am so sorry to hear (read) that!! Sending healing thoughts to Speedy!
So sorry to hear that! Crappy timing for sure. Hopefully the first set of treatments does the trick and he looks good for the next ultrasound. I'll send some good wishes into the universe for you and Speedy :-) 3/10/2016 07:36:31 pm
So sorry to hear that! If you want to come to canada and ride my occasionally angry red mare in a local dressage show (which is less ill advised than it once was, she IS learning what contact is) to cheer yourself up, let me know 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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