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Post by caryn on Mar 6, 2007 1:04:10 GMT -5
Saved 3/2005 from a bad situation
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Post by jessiegirl1981 on Mar 6, 2007 1:22:02 GMT -5
I am in love more pics please
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Post by caryn on Mar 6, 2007 1:45:43 GMT -5
Sterling had a severe stifle injury that had been unattended for at least 8 months when I bought him. I was fully aware of this and wanted to save him and give him a good life. It's a long story. Sterling was bred to race. He is an appendix QH that was born at Los Alamitos. He was born in 1999 and did 17 starts as a 2 year old. He didn't win. He didn't place. I don't know why they kept starting him, but that was how he spend his 3rd year of life. He was about 3 when he was bought (probably at auction for not much) by a ranch owner. He was gelded either before or after the ranch owner purchased him and was to be used as a trail horse on a rental string. Yeah, that's insane, but I wasn't the owner and didn't realize that when I first met the owner...
to be continued...
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Post by caryn on Mar 6, 2007 2:07:01 GMT -5
I knew that I was looking at vet bills for a young horse that may never be rideable. It was the best that I could do. I have owned Sterling for a little over 2 years. He has been on paddock rest for 18 months (stall didn't work out...). It's been rough. He's had 4 digital ultrasounds of the stifle and aside from a bute regimen during the first 2 months, it's been a wait and see thing. Everytime I bring him in, I hope that it is time for re-hab. We're almost there. He continues to make progress. His meniscal tears are almost healed and the ligament damage is getting there. He is still healing. Today we gave him some medicine to help attach the ligament to the bone where it has separated. The damage is sporadic, it looks like little bumps where his medial patellar and collateral ligaments are not attached. This treatment should help that. He will most likely start re-hab in 4 months. He finally has a good prognosis! It's been a long haul, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Wish us luck, we're nearly there
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Post by jessiegirl1981 on Mar 6, 2007 2:15:11 GMT -5
Wow what a great story!! You are awesome and I still want more pics!
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Post by caryn on Mar 6, 2007 2:26:32 GMT -5
Thanks Jessie, I need to bring my camera to the ranch and get more pics. He is a beauty and I get to do more with him now!!! The vet said that I can give him limited exercise, up to 40 minutes a day. We'll work up to it. He can only walk, mostly forward, but he can move laterally (sideways) also. Back up is not good for him, but large circles are okay. I'm going to have to get creative, but I've been given permission give this boy a job and I intend to do it!!! He's playful and really needs to have some fun. I'm going to talk to my instructor/trainer about ground driving. If we can teach him without asking him to move in ways that could hurt him, then it's a great goal for both of us. My boy really needs a challenge that won't hurt him physically. I'll keep y'all updated and thanks for listening
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Post by jessiegirl1981 on Mar 6, 2007 2:28:07 GMT -5
I really hope u keep us all updated on your progress. I really believe he is going to repay you for your faith tenfold
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Post by swissgrl on Mar 6, 2007 8:27:39 GMT -5
He is such a good looking horse. Thanks for sharing the story, what a great team of fighters you guys are. Thanks for sticking by him.
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Post by cybercat on Mar 6, 2007 19:30:47 GMT -5
Thank goodness Sterling has someone willing to accept him for who and what he is right now! He is very lucky and you are very patient with him. He is a beautiful horse...
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Post by caryn on Jul 9, 2007 14:18:46 GMT -5
Well, it's that time again Sterling is scheduled for another ultrasound on Wednesday, 7/11. I am hoping that the Tildren did its job and we will receive the go ahead for re-habilitation. Poor boy has been on paddock rest for soooo long. I take him out and walk him for about 20 minutes/day, but that's it for exercise. He genuinely loves to roll in the outdoor arena. We get about 6 steps in and down Sterling goes for a good roll. He is so cute, he'll roll all the way over, stop, make happy noises (little moans of pure delight), and roll all the way back over several times. Wish us luck, I am hoping for good news!!!
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Post by jenm on Jul 9, 2007 15:35:12 GMT -5
Caryn, I'll be jingling like crazy until Wednesday! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for good news about Sterling.
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Post by caryn on Jul 11, 2007 8:40:34 GMT -5
Thanks Jen! I appreciate the jingles. I could barely sleep last night in anticipation. I'll let you all know the prognosis this evening, I keep chanting in my head..."it's time for rehab, it's time for rehab, no more paddock rest, it's time for rehab..."
C
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Post by atticus on Jul 11, 2007 9:31:05 GMT -5
Jingles for Mr. Sterling I hope the ultrsound goes well. He has an incredible story!
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Post by piopico on Jul 11, 2007 13:51:55 GMT -5
Fingers crossed here, for today's exam.
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Post by caryn on Jul 11, 2007 20:21:50 GMT -5
Thanks guys! The jingles paid off Sterling has been cleared to begin rehab!!!! It was a very positive and encouraging day at the vet. He still has a lot of damage to various parts of his stifle, but the time he has had to heal and the tildren (medication) from his last visit is making a difference. I have been given an exercise plan for the next 60 days, after which, he goes back to have another ultrasound. We are going to give him low dose anti-inflammatories for the first thirty days (bute, starting at 1 gram twice a day, tapering to 1 gram total and then none). Starting tomorrow, he needs to do 10-12 reps of trotting for 30 seconds, with 3-4 minutes of walking in between. We will do this for the entire first 30 days, then he gets to trot for 1 minute, with 3-4 minutes of walking in between for the last 30 days. I am supposed to minimize his turns, straight lines forward are what we are shooting for. Circling is out of the question and if he does turn they should be very large turns, like in a long arena. Our indoor arena, should work for this, but I am going to start by exercising around the ranch. I have been given the go ahead to RIDE him during these exercises He hasn't been ridden for close to 3 years, so I aint hopping up and trying to do this right now. I want to get him used to the exercise and make sure that he is not in pain first. I'm planning on doing at least 2 weeks of this in hand, maybe longer. I will be saddling him for his exercise daily as I want him to get comfortable with being saddled and having a job. I also want to make sure that my new saddle fits him properly. When I do ride him, it will be in the indoor arena when we are both ready. Well, I've babbled long enough. I am so excited!!! Thanks for listening and all the jingles. Things are looking up for Mr. S
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Post by cmcclean on Jul 11, 2007 21:59:04 GMT -5
I am so happy for you and Sterling!!!! This is great news! Keep us updated on how it goes.
Corky
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Post by caryn on Jul 12, 2007 19:29:39 GMT -5
Thanks Corky, I've been on cloud nine since I got the news. Day 1 of rehab went really well. Sterling was happy to be out and about. He did not spook once on our ranch tour and was an all around great boy for our first session. He wore his bareback pad. We still have some grooming/saddling issues to work out, but overall he was pretty darn good about the process. He was very willing to do his 30 second trots. I only did 5 of the 10 trotting reps today because he seemed a little tired and I don't want to push him right off the bat. He was a little "short" in front at the vet yesterday and seemed that way today too. It's hard to tell when you're leading, but he seemed pretty "bouncy" in his trot, indicating a short stride all around. Not surprising as extending that right stifle is going to be difficult for a while. Hopefully, the exercise will help. He did not bob his head, so it hasn't gotten any worse. I did have a friend trot him out in front of me after his exercise and he was still willing and happy to do it. All in all a very good day for us
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Post by atticus on Jul 12, 2007 19:33:57 GMT -5
YAY Sterling!!! great job!
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Post by caryn on Jul 19, 2007 13:59:56 GMT -5
Today is day 8 of "operation rehab" Sterling is doing really well. He seems to enjoy getting out and about. Grooming and saddling have improved with daily practice. Yesterday, Sterling carried a bit for the first time in about 3 years!!! He was not too happy about the bridling process and tried pushing me around with his head. He did not toss his head in avoidance of the bit, so that's good, but pushing me around is not desirable either. I TRIED to keep the bit in the proper position for him to accept it, while not putting to much pressure on him. Not as easy as it sounds If I did it right, today's bridling should be a little better. I'm getting a little tired of walking and trotting along beside, so hopefully we'll overcome the bridling issues quickly and move on to some ground driving. Either way, we're a step closer to riding through rehab . Don't worry, I'll be patient and won't attempt it until I am confident it is in both our best interests. I'm bringing my camera with me today, so hopefully a fellow boarder will have the time to take some pics. He's looking pretty spiffy in his saddle
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Post by caryn on Jul 20, 2007 2:37:43 GMT -5
Okay, got engrossed in the moment and forgot about pics, but it was still a good day Aside from one pretty good spook, all went well. He's gotten better about saddling and grooming, but the bridling was still difficult. He clued into the " I don't want to be head butted" idea, so no more pushing me around, but he's still not accepting the bit. His mouth was pretty darn tight. It reminds me of a child that just says "NO, I DON'T WANT IT". Okay, I resorted to sticking my finger in his mouth and tongue tickling. Got the bit in, but I really wanted acceptance, so after letting him get the feel of it, I took it back out and tried again. The second time was better, but he's still not happy about the whole thing. I couldn't resist and half mounted him today. He didn't bat an eyelash. I gave him full warning. Foot in stirrup, bounce, bounce, bounce and then up I went. The only thing I didn't do was throw my leg over. Very encouraging!!! I'm so proud of him. After close to 2 years paddock rest, he's coming along in leaps and bounds
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Post by Tockita on Jul 20, 2007 3:31:08 GMT -5
Go Sterling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by piopico on Jul 20, 2007 9:27:17 GMT -5
Go Caryn...........sounds like he's doing great.
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Post by caryn on Jul 21, 2007 20:36:04 GMT -5
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Post by atticus on Jul 21, 2007 23:27:44 GMT -5
Awesome!!!!!!!!
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Post by caryn on Jul 25, 2007 23:34:11 GMT -5
We are on Day 13 of rehab. I've been keeping a journal, so that I can remember when he looks sore, and exactly what exercise he had. I think it is a good way to monitor his progress. The rehab schedule is supposed to be simple, I was given simple instructions to do a certain amount of exercise for 30 days ( 10-12 reps of 30 second trots with 3-4 minutes of walking in between), bump it up on day 31 to 1 minute for trotting and all else remains the same until he goes for a re-check in 60 days. In reality, I feel I have to read my horse. If rehab takes longer, then it takes longer...He is worked everyday, but I have yet to do 10 reps of trotting. I started lower, at 6, quickly bumped up to 8 by the third day and then he was "off". Not bad, just not good, so bumped the trotting back down the next day. He always gets the walking ( 40 minute minimum), but I'm not comfortable increasing the trot reps on days when he looks sore. The good news is that any soreness seems to dissipate with walking and he looks great for the trotting that he does. I just don't want to push him too much and have him regress. This is the first REAL hope of a recovery to somewhat normalcy and I am cautious. I'd appreciate any advice and/or stories of rehabilitation that anyone can offer. This is my first time I am going to call Sterling's vet tomorrow and make sure that I am on the right track here. I have my journal and can tell him exactly what I have done with him and what my concerns are. I tend to be a bit neurotic regarding my horse's health, so don't want to bug the guy everyday, and have been using my own judgement since the rehab began. However, I would like to make sure that I am doing the right thing in all cases, so the vet's getting a call tomorrow. BTW, I rode him for the 2nd time today. Didn't ride him for the full exercise plan, just for a few of the walking parts and always got down for the trots. I think I'm still in shock about being able to ride him He has been so good for it all. Saddling has become almost a non-issue, he still looks weary and a bit nervous, but he's less and less concerned everyday. I just adore my boy!!!!
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Post by Tockita on Jul 26, 2007 22:54:36 GMT -5
Great news overall. Hopefully its just little pains related to getting back in condition. You must be in heaven. I know I am going to cry when I ride Symphony, heck I cried because Angi rode her!
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Post by caryn on Aug 10, 2007 1:05:46 GMT -5
Day 29 and Mr. S is doing well. I have ridden him about 6 times now ( during the walking part), but am hesitant to ride through the trotting parts. I've lost 4 pounds, jogging alongside him Anyway, my hesitation comes from the fact that Sterling doesn't "whoa" all that well. He will stop, but in general, he takes several steps after the cue. If he doesn't WANT to stop, he takes even more steps before coming to a halt. I've had success with disengaging when a horse WILL NOT stop and going straight to reverse with a horse that stops EVENTUALLY ( keeps taking steps after cue from body, rein contact and voice). My two usual tactics cannot be used with Sterling as he shouldn't be backed up or disengaged. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated I want to get "whoa" down well before going to a trot while riding. The trotting segments increase tomorrow
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Post by caryn on Aug 13, 2007 12:07:11 GMT -5
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Post by kidznhorses on Aug 13, 2007 13:18:26 GMT -5
Beautiful pictures! You both look SO happy.
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Post by Tockita on Aug 13, 2007 13:25:08 GMT -5
He LOVES his Mom!!
Great pics!!
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