Back to his feet... The farrier's initial plan was to recheck radiographs after 3 cycles. In my head I had shortened it to getting to start riding again after 1 cycle since he also said we'd get him in something more practical after the first cycle. After reading this article this article on the effects of a negative palmar angle I am even more inclined to actually wait until we recheck radiographs to start any kind of under saddle work. The negative effects of the feet alone could be a threat to his long term soundness. And that ignores the fetlock still.
Many horses get a 3-6 month let down period after coming off the track. He got, at most, 1 month. So he'll get off until mid-July when we'll repeat x-rays of his feet. Depending on what his fetlock has been doing up until that point I may have them look into that further then. If it's got no effusion or mild effusion maybe I'll start him back slowly at that point if the feet look better? If it still has mild to moderate effusion then maybe PRP or steroids depending on what they recommend? There's no point in rushing things. I don't want to start him back after his feet are improved just to find him off in that left front again due to that fetlock. So time off now in order to get a longer, sounder future?
In the mean time I'm plotting finances and work to figure out if I could swing a lease on something else to ride. There's a few other things up in the air as well, but we'll see if those come to be.
No horse pictures for this ramble, so have some alligators.
ugh that's so frustrating, and concerning, about the fetlock. i personally have so fetlock-baggage from past horses, so i tend to be a little aggressive in evaluating potential issues. esp if there's an actual acute type injury, i'd want to initiate any treatments sooner rather than later. tho there's really no substitute for rest sometimes -- here's hoping that Yoshi improves with the time off. exciting about potentially lining up a lease in the meantime tho!
ReplyDeleteIt's a weird spot. I went down to his appointment really concerned about his fetlock. Then I was so blown away by how horribly off he was on his right front I forgot to push enough to get the fetlock worked up fully. And the surgeon who saw him is not the easiest man to get in touch with (or get to fill out insurance forms... Grr...) So I have not pushed to try to figure it out. I hear you on the acute injuries, and I am not at all positive this is the right route. But the $1100 bill from the first visit dampened my desire to dig a lot more immediately.
DeleteThat is totally understandable, especially if the vet isn't the easiest to fill out insurance forms so you can get compensated for treatment. PRP is amazing though! I hope whatever route you guys end up going helps your guy and also doesn't break the bank or at least makes a temporary bank break worth it!
DeleteThank you! I am definitely interested in PRP over steroids if we do inject. He's only 7 so starting steroids now would concern me. The surgeon finally filled out the insurance form today! Makes it a bit less painful.
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