Lily is also in limbo. When L came checked her she recommended we get her re-shod so her heels in the front wouldn't be so compressed. I switched farriers to one that works more in that way. Ruben speaks only Spanish, but I speak Spanish, and remarkably Lily was as good as gold with him.
Ruben is one of those Hispanic men who ends up shoeing many high dollar horses after something goes wrong. He comes recommended by a vet that specializes in lameness issues. Lily, who can be a pain to trim in the back, acted like she considered him to be an expert and therefore worthy of her best behavior.
Weird how horses do that.
Unfortunately Ruben didn't feel shoeing was going to help her, but he's going to come back out with an orthoepaedic shoe that helps a mare he has with a bad shoulder. He feels the issue is in her shoulder, mostly because of the way she responds to being shod. She doesn't jolt in pain at any point and mostly tries to stand in a way to take pressure off her shoulder.
So we shall see. She's sound at the walk for short times and we've ridden out to find good grass patches. We're working on little things, like stopping with thought, turning with a look, not fussing when a weird noise crops up.
It's fun in it's way, but I long to do much more.
But in the meantime, we embrace limbo. I sprayed her with a bengay like product. I brush her out and teach her a few tricks. I let her lean into me and give her alfalfa because she loves it and is losing weight.
I tell her she's the best horse ever. She tries to trot for me when I ask, then stumbles. Then limps. I apologize, but she knows I have to check, and we walk back slowly, letting the kinks work out.
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It's funny, the last time she had her teeth done she had to be put in the stocks. I wasn't there, and for some reason she worries more. When L first came this last time, Lily started to worry, wouldn't let her come near her with the rasp. I took the rasp from L and carefully lay it against her shoulder, her neck, her face.
Lily relaxed and I handed the rasp back to L. Lily let her do her work with minimal fuss.
It felt good to be able to help her through, but wish her sense of security was better. Perhaps this is just what pain does to a good horse. Creates insecurity.
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Lily gets bute at the end of our little sessions, but I hesitate to give her a daily dose or anything like that. But after work, even as little work as we are doing, I want her to be able to relax.
I wish I knew what to do.
8 comments:
I believe you are pretty committed to shoes for Lily. Yet perhaps at this point, just exploring alternatives might be interesting. Over the last few years I have found the Horse City Hoof Forum an amazing resource. You can upload photos (directions on how to take photos of hoofs are on a sticky at the top of the forum) and some mighty talented folks will comment and even do mark ups. If you have xrays, that would also help. Whatever direction you go, best wishes. -Cherie
I believe you are pretty committed to shoes for Lily. Yet perhaps at this point, just exploring alternatives might be interesting. Over the last few years I have found the Horse City Hoof Forum an amazing resource. You can upload photos (directions on how to take photos of hoofs are on a sticky at the top of the forum) and some mighty talented folks will comment and even do mark ups. If you have xrays, that would also help. Whatever direction you go, best wishes. -Cherie
I don't know if my comment disappeard or headed to comment moderation. I'll check back.
Breathe--You've been through (and are going through) so much. I know how hard your horse being lame must feel on top of it all. I can only say that some arthritic lamenesses CAN be buted every day (I gave my horse Gunner one gram every day for five years and he is a sound, happy 32 year old retired horse today), but you need to be clear what is making the horse lame first. Some things you shouldn't use bute to mask and some things (like bone spavin) you can. Some people have digestive problems in their horses with bute, but I never had that with Gunner. There is no one simple rule.
"She tries to trot for me when I ask, then stumbles. Then limps. "
That is my mare, too. But with bute before we ride, she is able to trot and not be in pain or hurt.
So, we both take our doses of I-Bute-Profen before we ride :)
Have you done a nerve block from the hoof all the way up the leg to diagnose her lameness?
That's what I had done with Apache and the vet diagnosed her to have the issues in her shoulder.
Apache's been on a MSM/Glucosamine/Chondrioten supplement...and the changes have been amazing. I shouldn't be surprised because I've been taking the same supplement, as well as fish oil, for over 16 years and without it I can barely walk due to my hip displasia and gimpy knees.
My farrier doesn't believe that shoes will help my mare either, and he's done a fine job of trimming my mare for over 2 years and her feet are looking great and are very strong.
I hope you are able to find out what's wrong with Lily and help her feel better.
~Lisa
I'm sorry to hear of your limbo with Lily. I'm going through something similar with my gelding, related to his respiratory issues. Every day is a question of whether or not we can ride. It's hard, especially as summer days beckon.
Pain can definitely make a good horse insecure. I have seen it enough times to recognize its relationship.
The answer isn't always shoes. I agree with Lisa @ LOR - if you've not done the block to find out the source of the pain I would have one done. That way you know what your dealing with and can get straight to fixing it. Anything else is playing darts in the dark and hoping you hit the bullseye.
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