Saturday, July 7, 2012

injured reserve

Damn. No fun camping trip. No riding for four weeks. Major is on the injured reserve list.

On Tuesday after an evening ride I noticed a hard knot on his left front. It was better on Wednesday, and since there was no heat, no soft swelling and no lameness, I figured it didn't need an emergency holiday vet call. But I did my research, and of course panicked.

It is great to have equine medical books, and the internet, but also a curse. Options include: his leg was going to fall off and die, horrible cripple, some expensive but solvable thing, minor inconvenience or it was nothing.

It didn't look like nothing, my best guess was a lateral fracture of the splint bone. But usually that involves a hard smack on something, which hadn't happened on our ride. I made an appointment and took Major to the vet, knowing an xray would be needed.

I was able to get an appointment on a Saturday, which was convenient. My vet was Dr. Langdon Fielding, who was great, and also an endurance rider. Major mostly behaved himself, though he got a bit antsy inside the building at the X-ray machine. He had to stand still, or they'd have to sedate him, but this is only the second time Major had ever been inside a building! But we got it done.

And I was right. This time I don't like being right, but as injuries go this seems to be pretty minor. Dr. Fielding said his horse had a similar injury before Tevis one year. Major's prognosis is good, just rest for the bone to heal. He doesn't have to be confined if he's not an idiot: we shall see. Re X-ray in four weeks. Until then, watch us both go stir crazy.

Seriously, no riding? That's ok, but can't take Major on a hike, nothing? Arrggh! I'm seriously going to find something to occupy my time. Definitely need to exercise more, and then? Finish painting the house? I have no idea.

* * * 

Major says: I went in the box this morning, I thought we were going for a fun adventure. When I was in the box two screaming things went by, loud!

They were fire trucks Major.

Then I got to this place that smelled like lots of horses. Mom said it was the V.E.T. It was ok, but I wanted to explore and Mom wouldn't let me. 

We have to wait our turn Major, plus you can't go explore everywhere, there might have been sick horses around.

I bet I could make them feel better! Oh good, we're going somewhere now. Oh, I don't want to go in the scary room!

We'll be OK, just pay attention and behave.


There's no sky! Scary, dancing, can we leave!!??

Just stay still a bit, you're just claustrophobic. 

I like grass and trees and sky, that's all I know. I don't know closet-phobic. Standing, standing, this is about all I can handle...

Knock it of.

standing, standing...

OK, done! See, not so bad. Let's go home.



Yeah, home, must roll off the V.E.T. smell. Oh, and carrots! Hmmm, icy thing on my leg...whatever, carrots!

You were a good boy, Now you get a long vacation. Oh, and I got you this better mask which will help the sunburn. 

Is it the smelly nose lotion? I don't like that stuff. Oh, a new face thing. It feels funny, and doesn't come off when I shake my head! Don't laugh, I had a bad day.





14 comments:

  1. Oh no! Four weeks seems like forever right in the middle of summer. I hope he heals quickly and uneventfully.

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    1. I know! Luckily our summer is long, but mainly that he'll be ok.

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  2. oh nooooo. My sympathies. I'm pretty much giving Desire July off too. Re assessing for lameness here in the next week or so but no endurance rides for sure.

    No fun :(

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    1. No fun at all. Good for you to give Desire some time off, often that's what it takes. Glad good old Blaze is there for you!

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  3. sending my best wishes for a speedy recovery for Major! Managing a senior horse with some arthritis, I can totally relate to not being able to ride. If Grif is having an "off" day, I usually use the time to clean tack, organize my tack locker, or give Grif a lengthy groom & bath. There's always house work too, but who ever wants to do that! LOL...

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    1. I'm sure my tack with be sparkly. My house is tiny, so not much to do. I'll find something though. Managing a senior sounds like a balance, I'm sure Grif appreciates it!

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  4. OMG no! Poor Major! So glad it's got a good prognosis at least.

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    1. Thanks! We'll see how we both manage vacation.

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  5. I'm so sorry! Wishing Major a speedy recovery. Do you have a mountain bike? You can sort of get a trail fix that way, even though it's not the same as riding.

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    1. thanks! I have a bike, but our trails would be way too hard for a beginner rider like me. I'm better off hiking and swimming, but you're right, not the same! Maybe I'll explore some trails to take Major on later this summer. (right now it is too hot for any activity, makes me feel a bit better!)

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  6. Well, if you get too bored you could come by and meet Nevel (and me too of course!).

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  7. Aww, I hate that Major got injured. It's apparently the season for it though Rose's only came with a week off recommendation and then just got three cause owner got sick. Sounds like he was entertaining at the vets. Has he never followed you into buildings before or anything? Rose will go in the house with me if I'm not careful and goes into the tack room all the time. Any idea how he got himself? And funny mask indeed, tell him it could be worse, he could have one of those fly masks that come with 'faces' on them.

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    1. 4 weeks is cautionary, and as frustrating as it it, I'd rather err on the side of caution, I want him around for a long time! No idea how he did it, whack on the trail maybe? He's totally sound, and probably doesn't care much that he gets to sit around and eat.

      I don't have any buildings here! No barn, no house (I board, not sure the owner would appreciate that!), tack room is a converted garage, and has weird access. Something lacking in his education, but hard to teach. Rose sounds silly too!

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