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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Nobody Died

3/10/2016

 
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.
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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:
  • A pressure bandage (hello, my old friend) changed every other day for the next four weeks. During the first week, I'll slather Speedy's leg with Furacin wrapped in plastic with the pressure bandage on top. He'll also get 2 grams of Bute daily during the first week. The following three weeks, the bandage will be dry.
  • At the end of the month, we'll ultrasound the leg again. Given that the damage to the tendon was so small, there is a chance that Speedy will be allowed to go back to work. If there is even a question about the health of the tendon though, Dr. Tolley would like to do a gello cast for two weeks followed by a second gello cast for another two weeks.
  • Again, based on the results of a third ultrasound, Speedy would then either go back to work or get two months of rest.
So, in the worst case, Speedy will be healing and recovering for four months. At the end of the four months, if it takes that long, Dr. Tolley will suggest a return-to-work schedule.
Picture
Since we were there, we did dentals and vaccinations as well.
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!
Exploringdressagebiomechanics link
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!

Horses. I swear.

Jamie
3/10/2016 07:37:52 am

No.... I am so sorry to hear (read) that!! Sending healing thoughts to Speedy!

SarahO link
3/10/2016 07:38:57 am

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 :-)

Sounds like Izzy is at a place where you can put a bit more pressure on him so maybe this time of extra work with him will result in some extra good progress.

Lauren link
3/10/2016 07:40:57 am

Sorry to hear this, so frustrating! As you obviously know soft tissue is nothing to sneeze at, and it sounds like you're doing everything 100% correct.

Jan link
3/10/2016 09:13:33 am

Noooooo!!!! Get well soon Speedy!
Hopefully you can get a partial refund of your show fees since you have a vet excuse.

emma link
3/10/2016 09:42:30 am

aw i'm sorry, that really stinks :(

Olivia link
3/10/2016 11:10:48 am

Sorry to hear about Speedy. I hope he gets better quickly.

Cathryn link
3/10/2016 12:22:30 pm

Omg... So sorry. Glad you caught it early tho!

ColbyJazzmus link
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

Tracy link
3/14/2016 07:37:34 am

Ack, so sorry to hear about Speedy <3


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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    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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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

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