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Thread Six: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1414401/posts |
Posted on 03/21/2005 7:18:04 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
We're going to the Lone Star Park Equine Hospital on Thursday for a neurectomy.
I truly hope she feels good after that, and remains surefooted and rideable. Is there a pasture rest period afterwards for her to find her feet?
tuffy, sorry to hear about your horse. I sure hope you will be able to use her as a riding horse for awhile like you planned.
Did you ever ask the people you bought her from what they injected her with? Maybe it would work again??
Becky
They don't block the entire foot, just the area that is painful so she should remain rideable.
Yes, she does have a healing up period, about 6 weeks, I think.
I thought about emailing or calling them to ask what they did but I doubt they would admit to anything. Do you think I should try it?
Interesting that the blocking is partial. I didn't know that. In discussion I've ever had about riding horses after nerving, it has been my [false] assumption that the heel and the whole foot was numb.
My vet's wife had a horse she rode in dressage for years after nerving for navicular. The precision of movement and soundness demonstrated in dressage tells me that it is quite possible for them to 'find their feet' and still have good sound movement. All the best to you and Winnie and your daughter.
They just numb the heel area, the horse is still aware where the foot is landing. This procedure is not without risks, though. The horse can get a nail in the frog and never know it so you have to be vigilant about checking their feet. Also, there is a risk of the cut nerve growing what they call "neuromas" and they also cause pain and can be a complication. I'm gonna have to take the risk, I got a hurtin' horse right now so I need to try anything that might work.
By the way, a neurectomy is a salvage procedure. Afterwards, this mare will only be worth the killer or broodmare price. I am keeping her as a broodmare, if I can keep her comfortable.
I wouldn't be dealing with this at all had I been smart enough to get Winnie a pre-purchase exam. I wouldn't have bought her after seeing the x-rays. I knew better than to trust anyone selling a horse but I was sick of looking and Winnie was nice and the seller seemed honest.
She's young right? I wouldn't kick yourself over 20/20 hindsight... I am not sure you would have thought xrays would have been a needed expense at her age, would you have knowing what you knew then?
What did she do before you got her? Any idea what might have brought on the condition? Is she predisposed for some reason or did she do work hard enough or had poor enough foot care that it might have been prevented?
She's only 10. Her legs and feet look beautiful and she's never had shoes. All she was used for was a trail horse for a timid rider.
I'm not sure what causes navicular. There are some predisposing factors, such as small feet on a big horse but that doesn't apply here so who knows. Another predisposing factor is the horse with the broken back hoof pastern axis with long toe, low heel conformation, something Winnie doesn't have either, but Tuffy does. I'm keeping a close eye on him, that's for sure.
She didn't when you got her, but might she have at some earlier point? If she's never had shoes, might she have perhaps had periods with poor or too-infrequent trimming combined with harder work than was reported? Perhaps if you think they hid a known condition, they left something out of her history also.
I guess any of our continued health is an unknown... some smoke and drink and live to be 100. Some get cancer at 35.
Yeah, quite a few people I ride with do that if we're going to be out long enough to stop for a break or lunch. I personally prefer a combination halter/bridle. It looks better and isn't as bulky as having a halter AND bridle. Blade's looks like this...
The bit unsnaps at the cheeks and you can take it off so the horse can graze and be more comfortable.
"She didn't when you got her, but might she have at some earlier point?"
I didn't even think of that. Certainly a possiblity.
"Perhaps if you think they hid a known condition, they left something out of her history also."
That is more than likely true.
"I guess any of our continued health is an unknown... some smoke and drink and live to be 100. Some get cancer at 35"
Excellent point.
Do you think I should get back in touch with these people? I'm sure they'll deny everything but the urge to chew their butts out is strong.
I absolutely love your bridle. ;~D
It's because of the look and bulk (and interference with my english noseband) that I don't usually ride with a halter on, I just tie it to my saddle and bring it.
I don't know. Do you think you will learn anything? or is it enough that you'll feel better after chewing their butts? ;~D
What is your basis for thinking they knew it and hid it?
The cyst on her navicular is so big, there's no way it wasn't giving her problems before. Also, with navicular syndrome, it comes on slowly and insidiously. This was sudden, like something wore off.
The only thing I could possibly learn would be if they admitted it and told me what they used. Not sure if I'd feel better after chewing them out, probably not. I'd still be mad.
OK - I can see that.
If your vet doesn't know of 'something' that could be used to mask it now, short of nerving, then probably whatever they did before wouldn't work again.
I probably would end up calling to try to find out, but I can't vouch for it's usefulness. Do they know anything about what you've discovered?
They don't know anything. Short of suing them, which wouldn't be cost effective, I probably ought to just keep my mouth shut. Even if I did try to sue, if I won I'd have to give the horse back and I have a daughter that loves her. Any way about it, I'm in a no win situation.
Thanks alot, Top Step Farms!
I wish I could find somebody else that would make halter bridles like the one I have. I asked at the last tack shop I went to that did leather work and they said they didn't make any of their nylon goods. Said they could buy it cheaper than they could make it and I was thinking, "yeah, coz they use cheap hardware that rusts the first time it gets wet". Leather is pretty, but the maintenance on it sure is time consuming. If I did anything but trail ride, I'd probably get a nice dressy black leather one too, but my nylon bridle is 13 yrs old and still looks like it did the day I bought it. It gets rinsed every time I use it, but that's all. I guess I'll keep looking. Maybe one day I'll find somebody that still makes them and cares about how they look.
Perhaps you could learn to make them and sell them yourself! Modeled after your own.
I haven't seen any as nice looking as yours is. The ones I've seen here are flimsy and cheap looking... and/or bright colors that shock my sensibilities. They should be black or brown, and not electric blue or green.
I did see a leather combo for sale here, but it was very expensive. I think there's a market for a good quality nylon one.
I sympathize... and I do wish you, Winnie and your daughter a turn of good luck with your nice mare.
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