So the other day I rode Athena very lightly. We walked in every direction making sure to stretch her neck out and worked off of neck reining and moving off of my leg. After a few more circles at the walk I had trotted Athena for about five minutes in each direction paying close attention to her movement. Athena wasn't lame but felt slightly off I'm going to try and have my friend take a video of me jogging her next time.
After doing some more research in the direction of "horse shoulder injury" as opposed to looking for specific radial nerve injuries I stumbled upon another incident where the horse had a complete puncture wound that went in and out a few inches away probably grazing the radial nerve. While watching the 6+ minute video I was cringing and watching this horse look much worse than Athena ever did.
At the end of the video it showed the horse cantering across a beautiful pasture with the caption "one year later" A rush of relief and hope blew through me after having watched all of the treatment to the wound itself and the painful videos of the horse trying to walk. They had stated that at six weeks after the injury they began riding him again and he was back to normal after a year. He did look a little short strided in the canter when you saw him cantering alongside of another horse.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Lola and Athena kissing
Lola loves her belly rubs so much that she was kissing Athena, normally Lola chases Athena all around.
11 Weeks after Athena's Injury
My five year old mare athena ran into a fence 4/9/2011 and got stabbed by a piece of fence into her chest area. She was bleeding "all over" as my friends said. They called me and the vet and I was there in an hour and the vet was already halfway done sewing her up. She had gone into shock immediately after the injury and stayed out of it even until late in the night I didn't leave the barn until at least ten when I was beginning to nod off sitting on the floor of her stall. The vet had confirmed that she had hit her radial nerve. We don't know if she severed it or just crushed it or how bad the nerve itself was damaged but she wouldn't walk that night and for a week after couldn't walk very steadily. She stayed in her stall for two weeks with all four legs wrapped and poultice in her hoof to prevent founder. She was taken out twice a day during those two weeks by me and my two best friends to take off the wraps, massage her legs and hand walk her for 20 minutes. She was given salt in her grain to encourage her to drink, an antibiotic (for two weeks), probios (til a couple days after the antibiotic) and two and a half vitamin b1 pills once a day. After two weeks she was let out into her own small field alone (happened to be her fifth birthday 4/24 what a nice gift) for a week. Then moved her back into her field. She know only slightly drags her foot every other step and has severe muscle atrophy in her left pectoral causing her to paddle that foot. I am currently not shoing her but she is getting regular trims. I recently put her on a joint supplement suggested by my vet. I rode her once in week 9 just walking and a light jog and once in week 11 the same thing. She is very energetic in the field and runs all around with the other horses. Please let me know if you've experienced this type of injury or are now.
In the video I show you her walking, her scar and her muscle atrophy. Any suggestions on rebuilding her muscle are much appreciated.
In the video I show you her walking, her scar and her muscle atrophy. Any suggestions on rebuilding her muscle are much appreciated.
Horses in the morning
Aries Belle Lola and Athena. Athena had an injury where she damaged her radial nerve over two months ago. In the video you can see the scar on her left shoulder and I attempt to show the atrophy in her left pectoral. She paddles her left leg due to lack of muscle holding it straight forward and occasionally drags it which is an incredible improvement from when the injury first occurred.
Hanging out with the horses
Hanging out with the best horses in the world! Carly Caitlin and I really have some amazing animals.
Horses being hosed on hot summer day
Lola and Athena love being hosed by Alexis, Aries and Belle had a different opinion on the activity.
Horses letting themselves back out to field for hay
Lola Aries and Belle walk obediently to the field, of course my horse is the only one who decides to make a few stops on the way. haha.
Horses letting themselves in for grain
Athena Belle Aries and Lola coming in calmly for their grain. They do this every day so it's all habit, they behave because they know they're getting fed. What a relaxing feeding routine, no walking back in forth from the field with the horses.
Horses following Alexis Athena hanging out with me
Belle Aries and Lola follow Alexis but my baby girl Athena stays with me.
Horses Eating
Athena the chestnut quarter horse, Belle the flaxen chestnut arabian pony, Aries the bay paint (Carly's) and Lola the roan appaloosa (Caitlin's).
My two horses
I have two horses, one is an old arabian pony mare named Belle and the other is my 5 year old quarter horse mare named Athena. They are both chestnuts but Belle has a flaxen mane while Athena does not. I love them both so much. They share a field with my two best friends' horses, Lola and Aries. You will probably see them in some pictures and videos. I'll be sure to start posting as soon as possible! :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)