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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Sidelined ... Again

2/14/2019

 
I had to wait a few days before I could wrote this post. I am no longer angry - I may have dropped more than a few F bombs, but I am frustrated, disappointed, and worried. Yet again, Speedy and I will be starting the show season later than planned. Before I tell you what happened, I'd like to share some photos from Sunday's lesson.
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Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, braved a winter storm to come to Bakersfield to give lessons. 
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So much better than last season: poll is up and look at his reach!
We worked on the regular stuff: getting Speedy in front of my leg, establishing a softer bend, and the medium trot.
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I was giggling out loud at his medium trot. It's not quite an extended trot, but it was the most uphill trot he has offered, and boy was it fun to ride.

​Twelve hours later, I got a text from the ranch owner letting me know Speedy had injured his leg. This photo came with the text.
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I emailed the photo to my vet who urged me to bring Speedy to the vet hospital quickly. Without hesitation, I raced to the barn, loaded Speedy in the trailer and made the 40 minute drive to Bakersfield Large Animal Hospital. As mentioned earlier, I dropped F bombs the whole way.

I carefully unloaded Speedy and slowly walked him into the stocks so that Dr. Tolley could get a good look at what Speedy had done to himself. It wasn't pretty. I'll share the photo of what it looked like when the vet first examined it, but once Dr. Tolley started to pare away the damaged skin, the wound looked much, much worse.
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Dr. Tolley quickly tranquilized Speedy, and then he went to work with his clippers (I bet they're not 20 years old - see? Not angry.) removing as much of Speedy's winter coat as he could. There was an injury to the hind leg that was actually deeper than it first appeared, but it was not serious. The more severe injury was to the front leg which had a large V-flap laceration. 
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Hind leg lacerations.
Dr. Tolley explained that we could treat the larger wound in one of two ways. He could simply cut away the skin leaving an open wound that would need to be re-wrapped every other day until the gap could epithelialize. I had already done that with Izzy's wound, so no thanks. Option 2 was to try and stitch the skin back together. If that was at all possible, I wanted it done. Dr. Tolley also explained that while not advisable, one could simply clean it, and let it heal on its own. This treatment would take longer and leave plenty of scar tissue under the flap of skin. I told him that wasn't really an option I wanted to consider. He agreed.
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As Dr. Tolley began working, he repeatedly injected the wound with lidocaine to block any nerve pain. Speedy was having none of it though as he consistently jerked his leg from Dr. Tolley. I could hear the frustration in Dr. Tolley's voice. I've been a client of his for 2 decades. In all that time, I had never seen him look anything but confidant. He finally gave a deep sigh and shook his head. 

He told me that he should have knocked Speedy out completely. It was too late by that time, however as the drugs needed accomplish that couldn't be safely combined with the drugs that Speedy had already been given. By this point in the procedure, blood was pooling on the floor, and my nerves had had enough. I felt engulfed by fear and worry. Speedy's always been my pal, but at that moment, I realized how attached I am to the guy. I recognized that at nearly 15 years of age, Speedy was probably more than halfway through his life. Eventually, I will have to make some hard decisions. 
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I pride myself on how casually I handle vet visits. I never get anxious or worried. I approach these kinds of injuries with a very unperturbed, matter of fact attitude. After wards, I might fall apart, but never during. This time, with this injury, I felt myself losing it. For the first time ever, I had to leave the examine bay and stand outside.

I stood close enough to listen, but the conversation was very quiet and very tense. Without being aware of it, the team had positioned themselves in such a way as to keep Speedy calm and less reactive. Rudy had applied a twitch and everyone else, including Dr. Gonzalez, assisted with the surgical aspect of repairing Speedy's leg. My anxious presence wasn't helpful. I kept my distance.
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By the time they had finished, I had myself under control. I am not sure why this particular visit left me feeling so terrified; Speedy is not going to die from a laceration to his leg. Maybe it's because I have so much invested in him. Not just financially; I have dreams and plans still to accomplish with him, and he deserves to be the one to help me get there.

When the sutures were done, Speedy was escorted to a stall where he could sober up. Dr. Tolley and I discussed Speedy's at-home treatment. He was given an antibiotic injection, but would need 10 SMZ antibiotic pills twice daily. He would also need the wound re-wrapped every other day with a pressure bandage  - it's a good thing I am an expert.

One graphic photo below.
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Two days later I sent this photo to my vet. While ugly, he said it looked good.
After discussing Speedy's Cushing's Disease diagnosis and my show plans for the year, I paid the bill and loaded Speedy up for the drive home. Once home, I turned him out as usual and went to ride Izzy. When I walked Izzy back to his paddock, I was met with a devastating scene.

​To keep anyone from worrying, Speedy is okay, but I am simply too tired to tell the rest of the story today. Check back tomorrow to see what else happened. 
​
Jamie
2/14/2019 07:32:04 am

oh no... I am so, so sorry... frickin horses.. Tell Speedy to find a new hobby! :(

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/14/2019 12:57:19 pm

Right?! How about boxing or skydiving! :0)

Jamie
2/15/2019 07:36:42 am

ANYTHING is better than the hobby of self injury!! (my horse does it too, thankfully for me, nothing too bad.. fingers crossed, knocking on wood, what else??)

Mag
2/14/2019 07:54:45 am

I hope that he didn't do more damage to himself... Hang in there!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/14/2019 12:57:49 pm

A little, but it's already better. :0)

Sarah W
2/14/2019 08:23:42 am

OH MY GOD. You handled that like a pro - even distancing yourself so your horse wouldn't feed off you. But seriously, SPEEDY, WHY?!!!

I'm so sorry. So very sorry.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/14/2019 02:40:57 pm

Why is right. I need to figure out how to keep him more sensible. I felt like I lost my cool a bit, but it was a relief to be able to step away and let the true professionals handle it. I knew that by standing there and offering advice wasn't going to help the situation. I always stay and serve as Dr. Tolley's vet tech, but for this procedure I had nothing to offer.

Carly
2/14/2019 09:18:19 am

I'm so sorry Karen! These things never happen at good times and that makes it so much more frustrating. I hope he heals up quickly!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/15/2019 12:11:26 pm

Thanks, Carly. I am sure he'll be fine. :0)

Patti Strauch, DVM link
2/14/2019 09:36:29 am

Omg! I’m so sorry you are going through this. It seems that a worthless horse can live in a junk filled barn wire pen without a scratch, and the loved, valued horse hurts himself anywhere, even a rubber room!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/15/2019 12:12:10 pm

Exactly! That's just we were saying. Insert eye roll.

Genny link
2/14/2019 11:09:21 am

I'm so sorry to hear this! Sending all the best to Speedy!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/15/2019 12:12:42 pm

Thank you, Genny. :0)

Laura link
2/14/2019 12:21:30 pm

Oh no!! Poor Speedy! Sorry you've had such a stressful time with injuries lately.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/15/2019 12:13:44 pm

Thank you, And yes, I am pretty much over injuries. Speedy has had two years worth crammed into one month. Lordy!

AareneX link
2/14/2019 02:43:15 pm

WTH, horse?

I know what that *shock* reaction is like. I recently made the decision to retire my mare from endurance, although she is "only" 17. When we start doing the math, it's hard not to figure out that we'll probably out-live them. :-(

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/15/2019 12:14:42 pm

Exactly. I think that's what actually hit me - Speedy's mortality and shelf life.

Kathy link
2/14/2019 06:30:09 pm

Oh good Lord. I’m so sorry Karen. Text me when you feel better ❤️ I’ll say prayers for Speedy (yes, I believe you should pray for your horses,dogs, & kitties). You’ll get some prayers, too!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/15/2019 12:16:09 pm

Thanks, Kathy. You know I'll call when I need help. You've had your crap to deal with these past few weeks, so I didn't feel like adding my crap to your pile. :0)

April Dobson
2/15/2019 01:30:20 pm

I understand the anger. My 2 year old came in with an "innocent" looking cut last September. However, due to the location and a bit of swelling, we opted to take him to the clinic. It wasn't so innocent. Long story short, after multiple regional limb perfusions, IV antibiotics, daily bandage changes and 2 weeks of care at the vet clinic, updated radiographs showed that an infection had developed and was eating away at the bone. Seriously? I opted to put him down as the prognosis was very poor. I am still heartbroken and ANGRY. I'm not angry at anyone, just so angry that I lost my little boy. I don't deal with anger well (more of a happy-go-lucky girl) and it is hard for me to figure out how to let it go. Sadness aside, I'm sending lots of jingles and feel goods to you and Speedy! Would putting something like SMB boots on him while turned out help to protect his legs?

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/18/2019 05:49:15 am

Oh, April, I am so sorry that happened. Sometimes there is just no rhyme or reason for the sad things that happen. I think that's why I got so angry. It would be easier if there were someone to blame.

Unfortunately, weird to say THAT, but Speedy lives turned out. It would be hard to eep boots on him ALL the time. Don't think I haven't thought about it though. Today's blog post explains his living arrangement a bit better.

April Dobson
2/18/2019 11:25:51 am

I have always said that everything happens for a reason, even if the reason isn't immediately clear. For me, losing Colby just wasn't fair. And I'm not one to stomp my foot and hold my breath when I think something isn't fair! I kept thinking that if I could just be mad at someone I could punch them and feel better :) Alas, it doesn't work that way! I miss him every single day and always will. The good was that I was able to offer an old, dear friend a home for her retired endurance horse. He is a sweet soul and provides a safe companion for my young endurance horse. Bonus - they love to run laps together. Not quite the same as having my baby, but it does help my heart to offer this old horse a soft landing.

I'm pretty sure if you tried bubble wrap Speedy would just pop the bubbles 🐴

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/21/2019 05:49:14 am

Yes, Speedy WOULD pop his bubble wrap. I am using that expression in the future. Too funny!

Non-horsey people just can't understand what the loss of a horse feels like, especially one so young. I don't have children myself, but the horses (and the dogs too) are members of my family. Even my non-horsey husband accepts that and includes them. It's a heartbreaker for sure when we have to let one go.

I hope you find a measure of peace as time passes and other horses (like this new pasture pal) join your family.


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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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
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