Rehab Day

02/03/10 It has been snowing and raining lately. This was the first day I was able to get out and work with Muddy since his first rehab day. Clark (barn owner) had told me that Muddy and his pasture pal Reno had been galloping around like two year olds. That got me thinking that if Muddy can run around like crazy, it shouldn't hurt him to test him out on the lunge. He was a little grouchy when I was grooming him specially around his hind end. Muddy was pretty frisky leading him to the arena. We warmed up walking around the arena. Then I led him over two trotting poles to get him to lift and stretch his stifles. We did a little backing and turn on the forehand. He was a little sluggish and dragging his feet with the backing up. Then I put him on the lunge and had him walk a bit. Asked for a little bit of trot. First thing I noticed was he was much more forward at the trot than he has been in a long time. I could tell he was feeling really good. I can still see a little stiffness in his left stifle, but it worked itself out. It will take a bit of time for him to get completely comfortable and to rebuild the muscle in the area. Muddy was feeling so good I asked him for the canter. He took his leads perfectly and did not seem stiff at all. I only had him go around one circle cantering each direction and same for the trot. No need to over do it. I just wanted to see how he was coming along. I'm curious as to how often I will need to inject his stifles. I'm hoping no more than once a year, but will of course do it as often as it needs. I'm really impressed with this whole joint injection thing. It's amazing the results.

Rehab Day

01/27/10 Muddy has had stall rest for four days. I noticed while grooming him that Muddy was resting his back left leg. We went out to the arena for the first day of rehab. I walked him around the arena to help loosen him up. He was striding out quite nicely. Then I set up two poles on the ground and walked Muddy over them. I wanted him to lift and flex the joint. He walked over with little trouble or resistance. I then had Muddy do some series of backing up and turn on the forehand. Muddy did not show any resistance. In fact, I was quite surprised with how great he did with the backing up and turn on the forehand. I hardly had to apply any pressure to get him to back up and I only pointed at his side to get him to turn. We ended the session with hand grazing where I noticed that he was resting the same leg. I'm wondering if it's a little sore. We are going to take it slow. It will be a little while before I trot him much less ride him.

Stifle Injections

Stifle Injections

01/16/10 Muddy had his stifles injected today. Dr Simpkins had to answer an emergency call so Dr Elsea did the injections. Dr Elsea could feel scar tissue build up in Muddy's left stifle. Hopefully, this will help and Muddy will be sound again!

Fetlock Injection

Fetlock Injection

Fetlock Injection

Muddy began limping on his front left leg. 10/30/09 Dr Simpkins came out and did some nerve blocking to determine where in his leg the lameness was coming from. We determined that it was coming from his fetlock. 11/6/09 Dr Simpkins came out and injected his fetlock. After a few days, Muddy was sound...for a day. Dr Simpkins said that a horse will limp on which ever leg hurts the most. Unfortunately, we made his front leg feel better, but the back leg still hurt. Since the fibula crack healed, it must be the stifles causing the lameness. The xrays showed bone on bone. Next step will be to get the stiffles injected.