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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

What's Wrong With Speedy G? (part 3)

2/14/2014

 
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:
  • Keep Speedy confined to a stall sized area for 90 days.
  • 1 tablespoon of Aspirin for 30 days. (As a blood thinner, it allows more blood to circulate to the area which should increase healing.)
  • Keep Speedy shod as is as the shoe will provide support to the collateral ligament.
  • Follow an exercise recommendation: 45 days of hand walking; 45 days of walking under saddle; 30 days of walking with some 1 minute trot intervals; if he remains sound, increase trot work to 5 sets of two minute intervals for 15 days; 30 days of walk/trot with 20-30 seconds of canter intervals. If he remains sound, we can then begin regular work at 180 days.
We're nearly finished with the first week, but there are many weeks to go. 

Continued tomorrow ...
Picture
I am running out of pictures, but here is one of the barns for equine patients. The aqua tread machine is behind it to the left. Even Hubby was impressed with that feature.
Hannah link
2/13/2014 10:45:19 pm

Ugh, I am sorry you guys are dealing with this. This approach sounds reasonable to me; I hope he recovers swiftly and well.

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. :-)

I can definitely relate to wanting to know "for sure" what is wrong. I'm struggling through soundness issues with Good Will, and while our winter has been mild, it still has been tough on the old guy. To many things to list and way too much money to know "for sure" other than the fact that he's old and arthritic, and time has caught up with him. So, it's time for a new game plan and as my sweet neighbor said the other day, "Tag - Ty you're it!"
It's just hard to not pine for what could have been or how it used to be...

ps
(Ty is my new 1/4x, ranch gelding that knows nothing but trails, and it was never in the "game plan" to use him for Dressage...LOL...Yikes)

Tracy link
2/14/2014 12:19:25 am

Oh man, I am so sorry :-( Actually reading the recovery plan makes me sad. I definitely agree that it's the best option, but 90 days of walking... ugh. :-( :-(

Austen link
2/14/2014 12:34:00 am

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a bone bruise. Guinness has had two of those in the last two years, and while they suck for awhile, they really aren't so bad. Your vet sounds awesome.

Good luck!

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.

But then I realized that isn't what you said.

Best wishes going forward. Time off really never hurts the beasts, anyways. :)

Lauren link
2/14/2014 01:54:54 am

Those kind of intense rehabs are painfully slow, but they are always for the best. I brought a horse back from a suspensory that way and think it is 100% best thing for them. The time will pass faster than you realize :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
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)

Sarah link
2/14/2014 02:38:30 am

Ugh what a pain. But its good you have a plan and now it's just a matter of time. Literally.

In the last year I've had too many friends' horses with mystery illnesses that last for MONTHS with multiple vet visits, thousands of dollars, and came away with less than you have in terms of prognosis and treatment plan. So I am just very thankful Speedy has you, and that you are such a good horse mommy.

But I think he's going to get very bored very quickly. I predict future blog posts about (a) boredom-buster horse treats/toys and (b) teaching your horse all sorts of fun "tricks" - maybe smile, kiss, shake his head yes, shake his head no, etc.

Amanda link
2/14/2014 03:50:52 am

Sorry to hear that Speedy will be out of commission for a while. I hope the time passes quickly for you both and he comes back as strong as ever.

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.

    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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    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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    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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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