7.5 Month Ultrasound

Dr. Cooper Williams came out to do Black's ultrasound today! There is still a lot of filling in for Black's suspensory to do. The fibers have not come in as longitudinally as they should be so we will continue with his controlled exercise in hopes that they will fill in over time. We had a bit of a scare with sesmoid bone as the ultrasound showed some abnormal shapes to the apex of his sesmoid bone. We xrayed to be sure that there wasn't a bone spur in the suspensory or floating in the apex of his sesmoid bone but the xray appeared normal for a 15 year old horse just some normal bone deterioration. Very scary moment for me and I just about lost it. But Cooper cleared Black to go ahead and be turned out since at this point he's doing more damage to himself mentally being in. He's also stocking up a lot more than he has been. I'm also looking forward to not having to clean his stall so much!! We'll also increase his trots to another set and add a little to his canter sets.

Black "escaped" and put himself in the crossties

While I'm glad it's healing, I've been feeling pretty discouraged lately. What was originally going to be a 4-6 month rehab has turned into 6 months, 7 months, and now almost 8 months. I'm now hoping he'll be back in full work by a year. That doesn't include all our concerns about reinjury. I've done everything and more right and still feels like that isn't enough. I knew from the get go there would really be nothing but time that could heal this injury, but what I wasn't prepared for was the mental stress and strain that came along with it. For me and Black! I would say a larger part of this battle has been keeping Black's brain in one piece and keeping my sanity in tack. I have nightmares about what his leg will look like in the morning. Yes, I know I'm crazy! But when you've spent 7 months of time, energy and money into a horse, it drives you to be a bit paranoid. Not only do I want Black back in work because I enjoy riding him but because he loves his job more than any horse I've ever met. I've put so much work and energy into his rehab because he wants to run cross country again and strut his stuff in the dressage ring. When I take him places where there's jumps set up he gets so excited thinking they're for him! He loves his job and after all he's done for me, I feel like I owe it to him to get him back to that no matter how much of my sanity it may take! I'm so thankful for everyone who has helped me keep my sanity through this ordeal. My mom and Matt for their i
ncredible moral support. Susan for calming me down when I find a new bump. Megan for calming me down when all I want do is go run and jump my horse and Katie (better known as Peach) for taking great care of Black when I've been away and reading my ridiculously long lists that I leave for her. Thank you guys so much! We'll get through this and we'll be better for it.

Seven Months and the Move

Black hacking at Gordonsdale!

It has been 7 months today that Black tore his suspensory. It's hard to believe it's been that long. But at the same time we are both really struggling with the rehab here lately. We had been trotting for 10 weeks... That gets old pretty fast. We were finally able to canter this week and it was pretty exciting! We're starting with 1 minute on each lead in the middle of his trot sets. Dr. Boone told me this is a really critical point in rehab because cantering puts a lot more strain on his suspensory. He's stayed very sound and seems comfortable too! Happy momma to say the least... We'll go see Dr. Cooper Williams at the end of next week or the beginning of the following for our next appointment. I'm a little nervous about switching vets but obviously I don't have a choice and Cooper is one of the best in the area for Sports Medicine injuries. The rain has made keeping up with his rehabbing pretty difficult this week but hopefully it'll start to dry up. 
Black really struggled with the move. I could tell when we were preparing to leave he was reaching his breaking point with stall rest. I could just feel it.... Well I was right! Since we only have 2 other horses at my parent's farm, he struggled with there not being constant movement in the barn. The first couple days were rough with complete and total breakdowns on Black's part and then my part. The last thing I needed was him doing further damage. He stayed pretty drugged for the next few days so I could get him to stay calm. I then borrowed some round pen panels from some people in the area. I made a couple round pen stalls in the fields so when the other two were out he could be too. Once we got a schedule going he started to settle in. He seems happy now that we have a schedule down pat! Black lives and breathes his schedule!

He's tried to keep his figure :)

I will update y'all when we go back for another ultrasound with hopefully good news! Both Black and I are praying for turnout!!! :)