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 Expert
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Location: Texas | Some of you know some of you don't know about my struggle with my Good horse. He started going up fence early last year. We went through all lameness issues and ultimately he had surgery for kissing spines in sept. I started bringing him back and then he got the respiratory crud just before I was to start running him. Fast forward a month and we have just started to run again. We went to exhibition the other night and did ok, but not his old self.... I figured he was just getting used tO the way his back felt. Went today did two exhibitions and I was pleased with his work. When we ran for $$ it fell apart and he went up fence. I made him go back and finish an went we were don't he couldn't catch his breath. I am just heartbroken as he is so special to me I was sO mad at what he did and then felt guilty when he had a hard time breathing. Also frustrated with spending 10k in vet bills over the last year. No sure where to go from here. I guess I will change him to left and hope for best.
My other horse I bought in the event that he did not come back after surgery is a very sweet mare who has a world of potential. We started out great and have clocked in 3d and even 2d and then she started to not perform and was lLooking poor. I treated her for ulcers and have her a little time off. She then got the respiratory crud that my other horse had and now has strangles. I feel sO sorry for this poor mare. I just want her to feel better. I am giving her banamine which seems to help her perk up a bit , but I figure it will be a while till she is ready to reAlly get back to work.
Some days I feel like all I do is doctor horses. I still love tO run barrels and when my big boy was working nice I was on cloud nine but now I just want to cry as I feel like all the time and $$ was for nothing. I am guessing at this time it is in his head so I may just try him to the left and she how he does and before anyone says get a vet check....he has been gone over with a fine tooth comb by two of the top lameness vets in Texas.
Anyway. Thanks BHW for giving me a place to vent my frustrations. My husband is super understanding and he is upset as well because he wantse to be happy and he know running barrel is what I live to do. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
 
| What have you been doing with your gelding since the kissing spine surgery?
I know its frustrating and so disheartening. Believe me, last year was my first year getting a full season and even then little crap kinda sidelined us at the end. Strangles sucks, lucky enough to have had that hit my herd but know many who have and their horses have made full recoveries. |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore.
My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | All I can do is send hugs and prayers..
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM
I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore.
My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time
Ive known a few horses with kissing spine and the best thing for their back is build build build that topline. I recommend getting them into some dressage training or taking some lessons. Getting him to pick that back up and really stretch underneath himself. Ive seen two good horses come back after these exercies. Many of them lunge with sidereins in between lessons. It really builds them up and increases their confidence in themselves. |
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Who Wants to Trade?
Posts: 4692
| barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore. My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time
The tread will build muscle, but it isn't as good for lungs as swimming.
I'd work on building his lungs up more than anything! |
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  Queen Boobie 2
Posts: 7521
| kuhlmann - 2014-03-01 9:22 PM
barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore. My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time
The tread will build muscle, but it isn't as good for lungs as swimming.
I'd work on building his lungs up more than anything!
I know swimming isn't really desirable on horses with some physical issues like stifles...I wonder if it is ok for a horse that has had kissing spine surgery. |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | stayceem - 2014-03-01 9:18 PM
barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM
I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore.
My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time
Ive known a few horses with kissing spine and the best thing for their back is build build build that topline. I recommend getting them into some dressage training or taking some lessons. Getting him to pick that back up and really stretch underneath himself. Ive seen two good horses come back after these exercies. Many of them lunge with sidereins in between lessons. It really builds them up and increases their confidence in themselves.
He has had the surgery so all of the areas they were rubbing are gone. The aquatred was partially for cardio but was also to build muscle back to his topline. |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 9:34 PM
stayceem - 2014-03-01 9:18 PM
barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM
I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore.
My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time
Ive known a few horses with kissing spine and the best thing for their back is build build build that topline. I recommend getting them into some dressage training or taking some lessons. Getting him to pick that back up and really stretch underneath himself. Ive seen two good horses come back after these exercies. Many of them lunge with sidereins in between lessons. It really builds them up and increases their confidence in themselves.
He has had the surgery so all of the areas they were rubbing are gone. The aquatred was partially for cardio but was also to build muscle back to his topline.
Im just telling you what ive seen work. There is a lot of damage done to their topline in the time they have kissing spine prior to surgery or other treatments. You have to rebuild it all together. |
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Who Wants to Trade?
Posts: 4692
| barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 9:34 PM stayceem - 2014-03-01 9:18 PM barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore. My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time Ive known a few horses with kissing spine and the best thing for their back is build build build that topline. I recommend getting them into some dressage training or taking some lessons. Getting him to pick that back up and really stretch underneath himself. Ive seen two good horses come back after these exercies. Many of them lunge with sidereins in between lessons. It really builds them up and increases their confidence in themselves. He has had the surgery so all of the areas they were rubbing are gone. The aquatred was partially for cardio but was also to build muscle back to his topline.
No idea on swimming after spine surgery, but I'd never consider tread work a cardio work out.
Respiratory issues are no fun! I have no doubt spine surgery is a beast too! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Even if your horse is feeling better he still has those bad memories. Most horses even when they are sore will still do timed onlies/exhibitions with no problems but still fall apart during the run.
My suggestion is to donate your runs and slow it down a little to ensure a good pattern, start off with 1/2 speed then gradually go to full speed once he has his confidence up.
Also the mare my vet had me put my horses on antibiotics once they burst open as they recovered faster, I would suggest speaking to you vet about this |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | bennie1 - 2014-03-01 9:32 PM kuhlmann - 2014-03-01 9:22 PM barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 8:51 PM I sent him to the aquatred for 3 weeks to get him in shape cardio wise and have been riding him getting him further legged up and have done some slow work to try let him build confidence that it doesnt hurt anymore. My poor little mare is keeping a good attitude and some days is actually running around her pasture. But other day she barely eats her food. The abscess are draining well on their own. I am confiden she will fully recover it will just take time The tread will build muscle, but it isn't as good for lungs as swimming.
I'd work on building his lungs up more than anything!I know swimming isn't really desirable on horses with some physical issues like stifles...I wonder if it is ok for a horse that has had kissing spine surgery.
JMO, but I do not like to swim a horse that has back issues, their head is up which hollows out thier back. Exactly the opposite of what you are working towards.
Do you know for absolute certain that your saddle is not causing your horse to not be able to round his back and properly develop his topline?
Hugs on the crud and the strangles, it's no fun to see them lethargic and feeling like crap. The stuff that went thru our barn this winter took a few months to really get over completely. |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | Have you made sure he isnt Stangles too? Might be too much exhibitioning. Maybe either do exhibitions or just run but slowed down to build his confidence |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I wish I had some helpful suggestions, but I don't.I do, however, know what it's like to completely give up on horses.... and I really hope you don't go down that route! Lean on your husband and BBs for support and enjoy the time you have with your horses. Everything happens for a reason! |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | cheryl makofka - 2014-03-01 10:23 PM
Even if your horse is feeling better he still has those bad memories. Most horses even when they are sore will still do timed onlies/exhibitions with no problems but still fall apart during the run.
My suggestion is to donate your runs and slow it down a little to ensure a good pattern, start off with 1/2 speed then gradually go to full speed once he has his confidence up.
Also the mare my vet had me put my horses on antibiotics once they burst open as they recovered faster, I would suggest speaking to you vet about this
I had talked to him about antibiotics and he did not really feel that they helped. As long as she continues to eat I will just keep on with the current plan of banamine as needed.
As far as my big boy I agree on the swimming not being best do his back as he does hollow it out when he swims so i didnt feel swimmin was best for him at this point He used to go swimming regularly. I really hadn't thought about him having strangles as well as he has no outward signs, but I suppose it is possible. As far as saddle fit... That's a WHOLE other story. He has been hard to fit and I have been riding him in crown c but I am not happy wih the fit even after shimming him etc. I was lLooking into Geri g a Caldwell for him, but honestly hard to justify shelling out the $$ if he is not going to come back. I surely appreciate everyones suggestions and am trying to keep an open mind. I am just so frustrated.
Edited by barrelbasher 2014-03-01 11:10 PM
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Blessed
Location: Here | He could have a glutteral pouch infection as a result. you said he had the same crud as the other one, not all horses bust. I would dang sure be checking since you said he had breathing problems after the run. I have lived this nightmare so I do understand so please have him checked. Also make sure you have your mare isolated and you are changing clothes and shoes and washing before you go to other horses
Edited by SG. 2014-03-01 11:16 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | SG. - 2014-03-01 11:14 PM
He could have a glutteral pouch infection as a result. you said he had the same crud as the other one, not all horses bust. I would dang sure be checking since you said he had breathing problems after the run. I have lived this nightmare so I do understand so please have him checked. Also make sure you have your mare isolated and you are changing clothes and shoes and washing before you go to other horses
I think I will get him checked as it scared that crap out of me. I have been trying really hard to keep th sick ones iisolated , but I am thinking I did not do a great job.
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 I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | barrelbasher - 2014-03-01 11:20 PM SG. - 2014-03-01 11:14 PM He could have a glutteral pouch infection as a result. you said he had the same crud as the other one, not all horses bust. I would dang sure be checking since you said he had breathing problems after the run. I have lived this nightmare so I do understand so please have him checked. Also make sure you have your mare isolated and you are changing clothes and shoes and washing before you go to other horses
I think I will get him checked as it scared that crap out of me. I have been trying really hard to keep th sick ones iisolated , but I am thinking I did not do a great job.
Don't beat yourself up. Crap happens and you've done your best. I had several get pigeon fever regardless of how carefully I isolated the sick ones. I went through a period where all I did was doctor horses and it is a joy killer. We have to take the bad with the good...kind of like a marriage, in sickness and in health. I had one that took a long time getting back into shape after the pigeon fever episode. You're getting some great advice. Chin up girly. Sending you some prayers. |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | I don't know if it will make you feel any better but I can tell you I have been there and am still there. I had a 10 year hiatus from running and when I got back into it I knew I needed a confidence builder. Kmc gave me Grasshopper but I bought knowing we needed some fixing physically. It took almost a year to get him to run right. And some high maintenance. But every 3-4 months something would happen.
right before our accident he bled and we were trying to bring him back from that when the accident happened.
my sorrel mare is a rockstar. She is so quick!! But she gets herself hurt all oft he time. Last year I made the HUGE mistake of putting razer shoes on her. That resulted in thousands of dollars spent on vet bills (which was really my fault-had I taken her to Dr. Tanner right away we wouldn't have gone through what we did.
surgery and then a 3 week rehab stint and she was set to come back...and then her hammy got torn. She is 3 weeks away from finishing a second rehab (by the way, swimming STRENGTHENS the back, but they LOSE muscles in their neck. Swimming is good for a lot of things but you have to realize they will need to strengthen their neck and their bone density in their legs).
let's turn to Mystic. She got that crud and she had to have 3 rounds of hard core antibiotics and 3 flushes to her glutterol pouch. 2 months off. This year she did something crazy to her foot and had to have some time off for that.
then there is salty. 4 month layoff trying to get her right and taking our time to do it.
i swear I have spent more time at the vet and rehabbing horses than I have running barrels. But getting on my horse everyday (or when I get to) makes it all worth it. I love to run barrels and when I do I am happy and in a great mood. But it's the everyday stuff that keeps me going. Just getting on a horse's back will keep me going.
I look at all of the injuries and what not and try to find something to learn from them. I take it as God's way of making me a better horse owner. And I keep trudging through it.
Don't get down, justt remember it is a journey and take it all in! |
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Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | Thank you everyone I am feeling better today. Yesterday was a bit overwhelming for me. It's amazing what a good nights sleep will do. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
Location: Southwest Minnesota | Hugs and prayers to you. I have no advice on the kissing spine issue. But, had respiratory crud in 3 of my 5 last year and Strangles in 1 so I spent all winter 2012-13 doctoring too. My one with strangles is doing fine now so I believe your mare will too! Hang in there!! |
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Blessed
Location: Here | barrelbasher - 2014-03-02 9:42 AM Thank you everyone I am feeling better today. Yesterday was a bit overwhelming for me. It's amazing what a good nights sleep will do.
Hugs. remember. it doesnt always happen on our time schedule. |
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 Member
Posts: 15
| I think everybody goes through times where it seems hopeless. When it comes to horses, if it's not one thing, it's another. You can't ever truly keep everything under control it seems like. I don't have any advice for you but plenty of prayers for guidance. I hope everything works out! |
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 Color My World
Posts: 4940
Location: My perfect world bubble | I am going through something similar - been on about an 8 year break and bought an OTTB last year. Could never get him sound so gave him away. Looked about 6 months and found another OTTB. This guys was a total rock star, after 6 weeks in training he was showing amazing promise. He somehow got hurt in the pasture and lacerated the tendon sheath in his left hind. Had surgery about 4 weeks ago but the prognosis is still TBD - anything from he will never heal, to only pasture sound, to upper level performance horse. I have to bandage and doctor EVERY SINGLE DAY - just the bandage material is $30/day. There are days I want to quit but just when I'm ready to call it he has some sort of break through and I see progress. It is trying and frustrating but I have to feel like I've done all I can.
Many prayers and good thoughts for you!
Edited by Paintbrlrcr 2014-03-02 12:41 PM
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Feeling completely down.... Feel like giving up on horses. Vent