Phase Two

Well wouldn't you know it would threaten to rain and be gross on the day I FINALLY get to trot Forrest! But being as determined as I was it was gonna happen rain or shine. I had already pre-planned to get his rain sheet, cover the tack and ride over it. But luckily for both Forrest and I the rain held off a couple more hours.

I have been looking forward to this day for a quite some time. Hitting this point means that Forrest has passed on of the harder parts of rehab, building and strengthen the fibers in his leg. We had slowly worked our way up to walking under saddle for 30 minutes and incorporate half passes and turn on the haunches to really strengthen the ligaments and tendons.

I must admit I was a little apprehensive about trotting yesterday. Now that we have hit this phase it means Forrest is truly “back in work” and I was wondering what he would think of it. The game plan from this point on is to walk 10 minutes and really make sure he is focused. Then we trot 30 seconds one way and 30 seconds back and add 30 seconds each way until we hit 10 minutes. For now we are stuck in the “walking” ring, but my trainer placed some flags and markers up so I would know what path we should take. Once we hit 5 minutes we will move to the front field by the road where there is a 5 minute stretch that he can trot without having to constantly turn around every 30 seconds.

So yesterday Forrest and I walked our 10 minutes, which after spending the last couple weeks at 10+ minute breezed by, and then it was finally time to trot. I almost didn’t want to. Why you must ask? Well our walking area isn’t the flattest place which is great for what we are doing to build strength, but part of the “course” that was marked had a short steep hill and not knowing how far 30 seconds would take on my course made me nervous about trotting down that hill with his leg. So instead of starting at the top of the course, I started below where it was flatter and hoping the chance I make it to the hill, more near the top of the course, would be before I hit 30 seconds.

 Well wouldn’t you know that just after the hill marked 30 seconds! So we trotted up the little hill and since I was very apprehensive of trotting down I made him walk down the hill pick up the trot and trot a little longer on the bottom of the course past the flags to make up the time. I think we’ll save the hill for another day, you know like 5-10 minutes! But of course I am sure you are wondering what Forrest thought of his trotting abilities now? Well he lets just say he was SUPER happy! He stayed on the frame, but definitely leaned on me and wanted to just GO, but I just held on and let him go. As long as we were doing a slow sitting trot I didn’t want to fuss at him to much since he has a short temperament for some things and last think I needed was to fight my horse on the first day of trotting. His forwardness was a combination of excitement to do something other than walking and not having done it in several months with a rider. But he was a superb boy and I am excited to keep trucking along as we move through our rehab.

At this point in the stage, while we are watching his leg every day we are more working on fitness level with him bringing it back to normal without over stressing him or the leg. The leg looks amazing and practically normal. There is a small amount of fluid left in the leg but I am confident that within a week or two it should be gone. I am just so thrilled the drastic difference his leg has taken in a couple of days and luckily for us after Wednesday it will be low 20s and high 40s that will really enable us to attack the rest of the fluid and get rid of it!

                                                                          December 16, 2012

                                 

 

                                                                               December 12, 2012

                                 

 

So on to another stage in rehab: Trotting! J

2 Minutes everyday and counting!

Well were about half way through December and Forrest is moving right along. The periods of unseasonable warm days, 70 degree ones, did not help his progress at all. Since there is some edema left in his leg it will flare up on warm days. This is both good in bad. Good because it breaks up the fluid which allows us to break it down and out, however bad because our progress moves slower as we are being cautious when the leg gets bigger. Last week I started at 10 minutes and added 2 minutes every day thereafter. Unfortunately by Thursday we had to stop and continue doing 16 minutes through the weekend. While I understand the process and why, it was still very frustrating.

                                  

According to our original time line, which I know is subject to change; we were supposed to be trotting by the first full week in December. With the heat it has slowed us down considerably. The goal is to have him ready, SAFELY, for the March 2012 horse show and compete in hunters/jumpers up to 2’6/7. While the TCHS is most definitely in the picture we also had about 6 weeks to accommodate and “setbacks” and still be on schedule. Well now we are down to four weeks HOWEVER Forrest’s leg has bounced back and with the streak of super cold weather he will be ready to trot by the 17^th! So looking good.

I have been told that most of the strengthening of the ligaments and tendons is created during the walk where it is safer and easy to judge. We took an extra two weeks at the walk to make extra sure his leg is ready for the next phases: trotting and cantering. These two phases, while will also strengthen the ligaments, are more for fitness and not overdoing the leg with gradually building his muscle and fitness level then just tossing him back in. We don’t want to strain the leg too much until its fitness matches Forrest. Forrest is still sound with no flexion reaction or palpitation reaction. Though he will move his leg for the daily DMSO application…but I don’t blame him!

While walking Forrest we notice that his hind is a bit stiff and sore and luckily for him we got him a massage that lasted and hour and a half Wednesday! I swear this horse has had everything: acupuncture, chiropractic work, messages, etc. and what do I get…nothing! On top of it all he also got an early christmas gift and I purchases a back on track pad that I can ride in so it will help his muscles as we go! Forrest is accumulating some serious bills, he better get better and start earning money back! J

While adding two minutes every day is slow, it means progress. I will admit that I have become VERY frustrated on Tuesday when it just seemed that Forrest was progressing or going anywhere. The weather was warm; we had to hold back, etc. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, but I just felt defeated and at that point wanted to give up, toss him out in the field and see him again in a year. While that wouldn’t hurt him, at the same time I know that his rehab is just as important for him and as much as I really wanted to just give up, a big part of me wouldn’t (THANK YOU BIG PART).

I will say that I have noticed a big difference in Forrest. This taking things slow thing has REALLY helped with his focusing and framing. At this point, he doesn’t bulge his shoulder out anymore, he stays consistently in a frame and pushes from behind, and a lot less fuss in general. This slow approach I know will make us even better! We don’t have to relearn everything, but I think it in itself will push us farther than when he injured himself.

So all in all things are going well. We talk our “track” every day and continuing adding our 2 minutes. While Forrest I know is probably bored out of his mind, he is being good. I will say he got some excitement yesterday when he decided that Lilly, the barn kitty, was going to EAT him when she walked out of the barn. That was fun! Nothing like no stirrups and your horse jumping 10 feet to the left out of fear of being eaten…but what can I say, it wouldn’t be Forrest otherwise!

We did end the week with a photo op with his "brother" Indy. I had purchased him an OTTB blue Ribbon that supports After the Finish Line and Forrest, these things are starting to get to his head, got one as a gift as well. So I took both ribbons and both boys and "made" them share some space and take some pictures! What good boys!

                            

A minute everyday

Well I have decided to update weekly. I know that every minute I add to his walking is exciting to me, it most definitely isn't to everyone else and I couldn't imagine writing on every minute….boring. So as of today it has been a solid week since I started to walk Forrest under saddle myself. We started at 5 minutes and added a minute every day. Today we will start to add 2 minutes every time which will put us at 30 minutes of walking and the point in which we graduate to adding some trotting! J

Forrest has been doing very well. The leg has been looking really good and we knew it would be interesting since he has my weight on him for the first time in months. Of course as should be expected with Forrest and his Rehab his leg only got smaller the more minutes we added to his “workout.” And yes it most definitely is a work out; only Forrest could have sweat marks under his girth at the walk but then again we aren't exactly on a loose rein either. We have been getting him to walk up from behind, to help his hip, and leg yielding every day. While he has been getting annoyed at the fact that “leg” is being applied I believe he is happy to have a “job” at the moment.

So the week went well and he progressed as we thought. However we did hit a pivotal moment in his rehab this weekend. There is nothing like getting a call from your trainer and starting it off with: “: you know how I always tell you I am so happy with the leg, it looks great, exactly where I expected it to be,” (insert moment of panicking as I thought it looked terrible), “ well today I went to check the leg and ran my hand down his leg as I always do and for once actually had to DOUBLE CHECK if I had the right leg and even after the second time running my hand down had to LOOK AGAIN to be sure.”

Haha, yep basically she was beside herself with shock at how GOOD it looked. She had her expectations and what she felt and saw blew those out of the water. For the first time in a transition of rehab Forrest’s Tendon Sheath was no longer swollen. This is usually something we account for which is why we usually account for 2-3 days of plateauing work and keeping it the same before adding more. She basically said if he was further along in his walking, and she was half tempted to forgo it anyways, we would start trotting today. But we have our game plan and sticking to it no matter how fast the leg heals we will continue with our timeline. I was so happy to know that the leg is further along than his rehab schedule. But in the long run this basically means when it comes time to trot, canter and eventually jump that his tendon will be ready for it and be stronger.

His leg in general looks amazing. It’s practically gone and at about 95% healed swelling wise. It was even better to hear someone who hasn't seen his injury in a couple months, come and take a look and the first thing they say is “What exactly am I looking at?” J We have decided to schedule the next scan the week of Christmas. This should have Forrest and I trotting for about 14 days before the scan along with a drop in degree in his pads. Unfortunately with the warmer weather, it does make it harder to reduce the rest of the edema in his leg, but when it’s hot out we’ll cold hose/ice the leg to counteract it. So we will keep going and adding two minutes the next week and be ready to rock and roll at the trot next week!

                                 

 

My Turn!

It’s Monday! Okay so most people aren't that excited when it’s Monday but I am! Why? Well because we have hit the point where I can ride Forrest in his rehab! J So obviously super excited!

I was pretty impatient all day and it felt like work was taking forever to get through, of course. But the time had finally arrived! Forrest leg was a little bigger than the day before but considering it swells with the heat and it was nearly 60 degrees today we weren't concerned, and even swollen it barely looked noticeable! While I fed the horses I let Forrest bake in his stall for a bit to loosen up his hip. His hind end is getting better, but since we know it is an issue I just always warm it up with his Back on Track blanket before we ride. I think Forrest knew it was time; he gave me that look and was a good boy about saddling up!

I only got to ride him for about 5 minutes but was told to get him to push from behind, frame up and to work on some leg yielding, in small amounts, to strengthen both hind end and leg! He was fantastic and it felt so good to be back on him again, very normal and very much home! With the weather tomorrow it will be rainy and cold which will be great for “icing/hosing” his leg for 24 hours. But I plan to be in the tack rain or shine tomorrow for our 6 minutes of work. We plan on adding a minute every day for the first week and go from there. But he is doing exceedingly well and walking with no issues. We are focusing right now more at the walk than other gaits to be sure he is strong. The stronger we can make his tendon at the walk the better we will be through the trotting and cantering phases!

I am just happy to be home back in the saddle on my boy!

Well Forrest leg was still covered in his random scratches, tick bites, and cuts so I took him to the wash rack and scrubbed his leg and cleared it of all the scabs. However, while in the wash rack it gave Forrest ample opportunity to see the “Aliens” as he thought of them. We it definitely helped with picking scabs as he didn't care much and was focused on the ponies, Jewels and Patches. So since Forrest was obviously curious about these little things I took him over to meet them. Jewels and him were fine and he had no problems with her, however he nearly bolted when Patches and him touched noses. To make matters even funnier was that Patches also had his muzzle on him. I imagine he would look slightly not normal! Poor Forrest looked like he was ready to have a heart attack with what he was seeing.

After a quick meet, I walked him back to the barn where he could decompress from his visit and go be a horse again snug in his rug!

A break

Well this past week I had taken a “break” and headed down south for Thanksgiving. Luckily I had my trainer who was still pushing forward with Forrest’s rehab. Forrest was starting his first with weight on his back. Well from many reports Forrest flew through the week with gold stars. The swelling in his leg continued to go down and he was getting stronger and stronger every day.

Today was my first day back after my mini vacation and he still had one more day with a lightweight rider on him. Luckily, my fellow boarder and her daughter came to ride with me and luckily were able to help out.

We first rode the other horses: Miles, Indy and Halo. Indy was a good boy for her daughter and they even practice some jumps. Then we played musical horses and everyone swapped. It was a great time and everyone enjoyed the other rides! On top of working with the horses one of the other barns on the property were expecting their first boarders today.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect as we were finishing up with Miles, Indy and Halo the two little ponies had arrived. Now during this time Forrest was being tacked up and I had originally started to hand walk him, but the commotion of the new horses had ADD boy’s attention elsewhere. As the ponies came off the trailer (one 12 hands and the other just over 13 hands) Forrest puffed himself up and couldn't help but stare at them. He was completely dumbfounded at what they were. Now the larger pony he wasn't as concerned about. He does live with Tazzar; however the little 12 hand pony named Patches that was a whole different ballpark. He full heartedly believed it was an alien! As the ponies were walked around the farm, Forrest HAD to be facing them at all times, you never know when a pony will attack you from behind. He was such a goofball. As the ponies were led to their field he soon settled and we were able to start back to “work.”

The original plan was to actually hand walk for 25 minutes and do a couple stretches of trot to equate to a light rider, but with my friends daughter there I figured what a better idea! So with a lead shank on the bridle, we walked together side by side for 9 minutes around the “rehab ring.” Forrest was very good and he was able to be the first “big horse” she had ever sat on.

I was also happy to see that his leg looked amazing. Unfortunately Forrest had some cuts, scratches and at tick bite all on the same leg so we had to use furicin this past week because DMSO would be too strong. But I was very impressed with how it looked!

                                  

 

Phase 1 complete!

Today is a good day. For the last two weeks, I have been working with Forrest for 2 weeks now hand walking him with his tack on. On day one we noticed that he just wasn't extending as much on the left leg but as with any rehab the purpose is to build the tendons and get them stretched and strong again. By the end of the first week he was walking noticeably better. We had hit the 20 minute point of walking and he was happy as a clam as I breathed heavily just to keep up. Over the weekend, we kept him at the steady 20 minutes to let his body adjust to the time and the new workout schedule and by Monday we were back to adding 2 minutes to everyday.


Forrest's leg is looking better and better the more he uses it and the more we break down the "bump." I'm told that the rest will more than likely disappear when he starts jogging and using himself and the leg more. But the past week, we have been slowly working to the 30 minute mark which we hit TODAY!!! Still out walking me, but at least I can attempt a fighting chance before I start to breath hard. I guess another hidden benefit to this rehab thing is my sad butts getting into some kind of shape as well. Thanks Forrest always looking out for me in the end! Oye.

So today was the big day. My trainer hadn't seen him walk since day one and I was so nervous at what she would say. Would he be ready for the next level? Would I be held back a week or two? Would we reach our goals? I'm sure Forrest knew something was up with my nervous self as he was a bit of himself today, but it couldn't be helped. As I was walking him around, my trainer slowly drove up only to stop half way to the barn to watch. If I ever felt more nervous it couldn't have been any worse than it was then. She just stayed there watching us walk out track. Finally she drove up and parked her car.

She once again silently got out of the car and just stood there to walk. The tension was thick...what was she going to say? Well she finally spoke up and said his walking looked great but she was still concerned that he wasn't stretching as much as he could. that's not a bad thing, but just that she said he would need to stay one more week at 30 minutes with no weights. Of course I was disappointed as we were suppose to start weights next Monday. But even as she spoke the words she just kept watching him and I eventually got the impression he was doing something that wasn't adding up. Nothing bad, but something funny I guess.

You can watch a horse move all day but she wanted to know what he felt like. Now looking back at the history of Forrest his last major rehab involved his SI on his left hip. And sometimes the only way to know if his hip isn't right or weak is by how he feels. So as she walks up she calmly says now don't freak out but I want to get on and walk him. I trust her 110% so I gave her the leg up and she walked him around. Still you could see she was milling something around in her head. So once again I got the, "Now don't freak out" as she asks him to trot a couple steps.

She stops and gets off. It wasn't that he wasn't stretching with his left front it was that his left HIND and SI was weak again and interfering with his walk. YAY! So she changed her plans and now Forrest will start Monday with her riding him for the next week. We will start him at 7 minutes stay there for a couple days and then add a minute everyday to where when I get back from vacation I will be able to get on and walk for 10 minutes!

So not only are we battling rehabbing his left front, but we are back to ground 0 and have to rehab his SI as well. Luckily the SI is easy and I know exactly what and when to do the things to help him through it. Guess its a good thing I've done that part before.


So all good things!!! Tomorrow and Sunday I will continue "our" 30 minute work out and by Monday we will start with a rider in the tack. I am slightly disappointed it isn't me, but I want to do this right and know in the end its only one more week before I get back up there! better to build it right the first time then get half way through only to break down again!

A beautiful weekend

This past weekend was beautiful, who could have asked for a better fall weekend. Luckily with the season over it was an easy weekend. No show to attend or prepare for. So I spent my Saturday with boy my boys. When I got out to the barn it looked like the horses were playing a game of hide and seek.

I brought Forrest in and cleaned him up. It seemed that he was due for some “mud therapy” since they were blanket free. He was caked in the stuff and seemed awfully proud of himself. I can’t wait to be able to clip him, the hair needs to go! But he had high spirits. His leg looked good, it was slightly more inflamed than it usually is, but when it gets to be 70 it’s what happens. I do believe it was the first time in my life cursing warm weather during a fall/winter month. 

                              

But Forrest was going to stick to his 20 minutes of walking through the weekend so we pushed on through. I tacked him up and off we went. One would think that this hand walking stuff is easy, negative. I believe I get more of a work out than Forrest does. I have to keep him walking at a working walk which for me is like a near run. Here I am sweating terrible and trying to “drag” the horse along and he just moseys around his “track.” Go figure. By the end of the 20 minutes working walk, I was beat and Forrest was ready for more.

With the weather so warm, his routine changed up a bit. Instead of his Back on track quick wraps and DMSO we ice and use furicin. So while Forrest was icing for his 30 minutes, I decided to give the old man a ride. I have no idea what was wrong with me, here I am already tired from my “walk,” sad…yes I know, but I decided what would be better than NO STIRRUP WORK. Shoot me now…..

But old man Injun was great. After being retired for two years and only back in work for about a month now, I could finally start feeling him get into shape. His canter isn't 4 beated anymore and he is trying to “buck” me off less and less. Now when I say buck, I mean it feels like a bump in the road. Just a small bounce, but for Indy it’s his mean buck. Really nothing to ever worry about…thank goodness. I also tried to work on framing him up, but the old man was hearing nothing of it and ended up just making him made. Indy also received his new blanket since he wasn't a fan of borrowing his brothers...

Having both boys back together I have definitely noticed my preference in qualities of my horses and apparently the #1 trait is stubbornness. Oh yes, both my boys are terrible stubborn, but like they say dog owners always resemble their dogs…I guess the same is true about horses.

I've got one who is the boss; head of the herd and another one who is the bottom of the herd and last to come in. One that is 17 hands tall to 15 hands tall. Red bay to chestnut. Yep they are as opposite as they come, but personality wise they mimic each other. Just my luck.

Sunday there was not much excitement either. Forrest’s leg looked better than ever! It had gone down WITH the heat which is a really good sign. So I continued our 20 minute routine which ended once again with me breathing heavily and Forrest ready for more… The weekend as good and Forrest is right on track and looking better than the day before. Monday we start adding 2 minutes back onto his time which will cause us to hit the 30 minute mark by Friday. The plan is for him to stay at that mark through the weekend and start adding weight, 80lbs of weights to be exactly, and start back at 5 minutes and work our way up. After thanksgiving, I will be able to get on Forrest and finish his final week of walking before moving and graduating on to trot work! J

Breaking Point

Well today marks 5 days since we started hand walking Forrest under tack. It has been going remarkably well! His leg has looked better each day, but as in all rehab situation and as Forrest and I have learned from the last rehab event there comes a point where you reach the point in which you may push yourself too much and make it worse. Luckily we haven't hit that point but we have hit the point where he has plateaued which is 20 minutes. Have no fear this isn't a bad thing, it just means we need to stick at 20 minutes for a couple days and then continue added our two minutes everyday.

Even with the couple days stuck at 20 minutes Forrest will still hit his 30 minute mark by the end of next week which is the point we switch from hand walking to rider! I am super happy with the results and the Cheshire cat grin my trainer has after every leg check is infectious! At first I was worried when she said he plateaued. I thought that something was wrong and Forrest wasn't able to handle the walking, but my trainer is thrilled with it. She actually said that she expected Forrest to only be at 10 minutes and not 20, so hes essentially doubled the time! This does not mean his rehab is moving faster than expected, in fact we are more determined to stick to our plan but it shows great for future progression and proof his leg is getting better.

So all good news! So tomorrow and Sunday I will stick to our 9 laps each direction, or 20 minutes! So we'll just keep on truckin!

The Time has Come

Well the Thoroughbred show was a great time but now it’s time to get to business in order to have BOTH my boys at the TB show! Today was Forrest’s first day of Rehab!!! Being a Monday it was definitely something to look forward to! My trainer had told me we would drug him as we weren't sure what to expect with him so better to be safe than sorry. I got to the barn early so I hopped on Indy bareback and played around the ring to kill some time. I didn't want to start the rehab myself as I wanted to be sure he leg looked good to start.

Finally, which seemed forever but it wasn't  my trainer arrived! Being the proactive person I was, I had already tacked up Forrest in the stall and we were ready for what came next. She check his leg which looked better than ever and then gave Forrest a stiff drink J Didn't take long for the drugs to work and Forrest was as mellow as they come. We led Forrest out onto his “track” that he would be using and did 5 circles each way. He was great and looked good. His leg was a bit stiff, but considering he hasn't been using it with a saddle on it was expected. The more he moved the better he got.

           First time tacked up in 2 months

With both myself and my trainer pleased with him she gave me the instructions for the next two weeks. I would add 1 extra circle everyday each direction. In two weeks, with each circle added the total time Forrest and I will be spending under saddle will be 30 minutes in which we will switch from hand walking to saddle time! J

                                                                                             I got this Mom..

I am just so happy to be doing something physically with him and I believe so is Forrest. I was told the other day about his antics in the field. While I was away he was trying to play tag with one of my friends as she was getting her horse out of the field. She said he kept nudging her and her daughter to play and then he would gallop off into another field feeling good!

I always said my horse will tell me if something is too much or too little. He has always been good about letting me know. I take this as a wonderful sign that he is feeling better than ever and ready for a job once again!