The Vet Visits Jackson

Jackson had a very special visitor today.  Dr. Thacher came by to evaluate his concussion laminitis and his hocks.

First she had me walk him on the hard pack dirt driveway.  Then we trotted. 

Then she flexed his hocks, held it, then had me trot him off.  Both sides.

The verdict:  definitely sore in the hocks. 

Then she tested the front to see if he had soreness there, in the name of being thorough.  Jackson thought they were doing yoga.

Forward bend

Shavasana

Verdict:  no more concussion laminitis.  Yes!!!!!!

Treatment:  hock injections.

She gave him a sedative and did the first side.

And then the other.

After she finished, he got a shot of bute.  I'll give him more tonight and over the next three days.  Monday he'll be ready to go back to work.

Prognosis: Excellent

Owner: Broke but very happy and optimistic.

I'm celebrating by making a big pot of marinara sauce with all my tomatoes.  Eggplant parmigiana tonight for dinner.  I think I'll dig a nice bottle of wine out of the cellar too.

 

Chomping at the Bit

Yesterday, I decided to ride Jackson.  He's been on stall rest for over a week with morning hand walking and a short evening turn out in the arena to stretch and roll.  He's been sound on his walks and during his playtime.  Our vet is coming up on Thursday to evaluate his hocks. 

I started thinking... if she comes up and his hocks aren't sore because he hasn't been worked, what good is that going to do?  She needs to see what I'm dealing with.  If he needs injections because he can't tolerate work, then he needs to be worked so she can see that.  A resting horse doesn't need injections.

Besides, he wants to work.  And I'm dying to ride him. 

After chores, Brett and I saddled up the boys.  The morning air had a touch of chill but the sun was out and warmth was starting to win.  The nights feel like fall but the days are still summer.

Jackson was awesome.  Amazing.  Forward.  Happy.  In front of my leg and responsive like a rocket ship.  Smooth.  Balanced.  Light in the bridle, lifting his back and pushing from his haunches.  Amazing, amazing, AMAZING. 

I have long days at work today and tomorrow but I'm going to try to ride him again on Wednesday.  It will be interesting to see if he is still perfectly sound or if the hock soreness shows up. 

Jackson Piles It On

As if laminitis and sore hocks weren't enough, Jackson has decided to add conjunctivitis to his list of ailments.  Yup, pink eye.  Horses get it just like toddlers do so I'm dealing with itchy, crusty, goopy eyes.  And so is Brett (Flash has it too) -- it is contagious in the barn just like it is in preschool.

I have put Jackson back on stall rest for the next two weeks until the vet can come and evaluate his hocks.  I'm hoping that the rest will finally kick the laminitis.  With his hind end off, he can't work correctly anyway.  This morning while I was walking him, it slipped out three times.  But, his feet seemed fine so I'm hoping that we will do hock injections next week and then I should have a sound horse again.  Should.  You never know with horses.  I had his hocks injected a year ago and he improved 100%.

While I took Jackson for a walk, Brett rode Flash in the arena.

I like this picture because they both look relaxed.  Brett almost always has contact on Flash's mouth so most pictures of them show tension. 

When we got back from our walk, Jackson explored the barn aisle.

Hmmm, Venice Turpentine, fly spray, a brush and a hoof pick... Where's the cookies??

Where should I go next? 

Oh, right.  Jail.