Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
part 1
part 2 After much consideration and an honest evaluation of my finances, I decided to forgo the MRI. I would have really liked to know for sure which injury Speedy has, but only the more expensive MRI would have told me that for sure. Dr. Judy was very understanding of the fact that I have a limited budget so he detailed a treatment plan based on the information he had. If it's an abscess (he hoped he was wrong about a CL injury), it will more than likely blow out at some future point. I am hopeful, but I recognize that diagnosis is seeming less likely. A bone bruise would be the best diagnosis, but since it would heal more quickly than an injury to the collateral ligament, I am going to follow the more conservative protocol for the CL injury. A bone bruise would remodel within about two months, making the area even stronger than before. The only treatment is hand walking with no under saddle work for two months. A CL injury is often caused by a twisting motion. Horses can suffer this injury simply by playing vigorously in their stalls or during turnout. It is distinctly possible that Speedy damaged his CL in his paddock. He has a small track carved out where he paces and then whirls in the corners. It's a large space and he uses every inch of it for play. For now, we've closed his paddock down to about 10 x 16 feet. As with the abscess, I am hopeful that it is a bone bruise, but I will treat him as though it truly is the CL. So what's the treatment? Here is Dr. Judy's conservative discharge Instructions:
Continued tomorrow ...
Angela
2/14/2014 12:17:17 am
I'm so sorry for both you and Speedy. This is an unexpected detour and certainly NOT part of the game plan. However, it is a part of this life and I know you will nurture and care for Speedy like no other. :-)
SprinklerBandit
2/14/2014 01:00:11 am
I read the first sentence as "decided to go for" the MRI and was like HOLY HELL THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE EXACT SAME OUTCOME. 2/14/2014 10:41:00 am
I've done the 6 month thing before, and you're right. It does pass fairly quickly. My mare, Montoya, needed a 12 month rehab. I was able to ride, but not compete in endurance. 12 months was a long wait, but I just worked on Speedy during that time and before I knew it (12 months later) we were competing again. It helps to have a second horse! :0)
Ugh what a pain. But its good you have a plan and now it's just a matter of time. Literally.
Dom
2/15/2014 01:01:08 am
Sounds like you have a good plan in place. Sending healing vibes. Also, the Aspirin is a good idea. I hadn't heard of that before... 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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