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Post by quatzie on Aug 13, 2007 14:35:19 GMT -5
Nice horse, good luck with you new guy
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Post by caryn on Sept 12, 2007 14:03:34 GMT -5
Well, Mr. S is having some problems with re-hab...We had been doing really well and then he just got worse. He started gimping more on his injured leg 3 weeks ago. I called the vet and stopped trotting him for several days. Vet did not call back and I didn't want to totally stop his re-hab, so I started doing half the trot work prescribed and called the vet again. Again, vet did not call back. He did not appear to improve or decline with the 1/2 exercise, so I continued until last Wednesday. My farrier came to give him a new pedicure and apparently had a hard time with his GOOD leg...She said that he was really, really stiff on it and couldn't bring it forward. She massaged it and when I got there ( I was late ) it didn't look to bad, his range of motion was pretty good, but still stiff. She had pulled the shoe. So, she tries to put the new one on and it's obvious he's struggling. He was pulling his foot out of her hand and he never does that. We made the decision to just remove the other hind shoe as well. So, he's got no hind shoes on right now. I had a vacation in Colorado scheduled for last Thursday through last Monday, so Sterling has not had his exercise. The ground is really rocky all over the ranch, so without the shoes, he shouldn't be worked anyway. I'll be getting those shoes on as soon as possible!
I have not been able to reach his vet and have never dealt with a re-hab situation before, so maybe this is just par for the course??? I don't know, but that's definitely what I'm hoping.
Sterling goes in for his ultrasound tomorrow, so please send good vibes....
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Post by caryn on Nov 30, 2007 16:23:33 GMT -5
Sorry, I haven't updated in a while. The ultrasound back in September showed that Sterling's meniscal tear had worsened with his exercise. He's back on pretty much paddock rest and some hand walking now. I moved all 4 of my kids to a new ranch on October 1st. Sterling had to go into a stall/paddock combination. It just didn't work out for him there, he hated it. He cast himself in the stall and was becoming difficult to handle. He was very unhappy at his new home. The stall/paddock was a lot smaller than the paddock I had him in at the original ranch and I didn't really have many options there. Sterling's penchant for casting himself made me weary of putting him in a paddock with the type of wire fencing at the new ranch. I couldn't keep him there any longer, so decided to find another place for him. I made the command decision to allow him to live with another horse!!! Vet said it wouldn't be good for his injury as we wants him to "rest", but what about his emotional well-being??? I have kept him in relative isolation ( can see other horses, but not touch them ) for 2 years with the hope that he would heal and I just couldn't do it any longer. There has to be a balance, I will not keep him by himself for the rest of his life! The perscribed exercise made him worse and I don't think he will ever hold up to re-hab ( based on the vet's assesment). He is now living in a large paddock with Miss Dream  I did not want to put him in with a horse that would run him around and Dream is good company. His injury has not gotten worse and he seems very happy Now, I have 2 horses on one ranch and 2 horses at another....not the best situation for me, but it's the best situation I can come up with for my horses and it seems to be working out well  |
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Post by swissgrl on Nov 30, 2007 16:32:27 GMT -5
Awe, sorry Caryn. Sometimes I think the emotional well being has a lot to do with recovery. Hopefully this situation will work out well for both of you.
Jingles for your boy.
And he is so handsome too :-)
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Post by caryn on Jan 23, 2008 21:28:57 GMT -5
Thanks Corrinne. I think you are right. Sterling has been getting quite a bit of exercise in his paddock and is looking pretty darn good He's a lot happier and has apparently won the hearts of the ranch owners. Of course, they love Dream too, but I hear a lot about Sterling's antics. He is a playful boy. There is a jolly ball hanging on a long string in front of the shelter that he likes to play with. Apparently, you have to see it to believe it. I'm told that he loves to bite it and push it with his nose, he gets excited and is sometimes surprised when after a good shove, the ball comes back quick and gets him in the face I know that he likes to play with his grain bucket too because I find it in the oddest places. He takes it out of the feeder, throws it and apparently, runs at it and jumps over it!!! I wasn't too pleased to hear that, given his stifle injury, but what are ya gonna do??? He's happy and if it really hurt, he wouldn't do it, right? He doesn't do any of these things when I'm there. When I'm there he gives me the "I need attention now" stance. He lifts one front foot and sort of paws the air while arching his neck and looking at me expectantly with one eye. He starts it as soon as he sees the car and it doesn't stop until he is getting the love and attention that he deserves So, all is pretty well. I'll get pics when he is presentable, he is no longer grey, he is the color of mud  |
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Post by Tockita on Jan 23, 2008 22:12:27 GMT -5
Funny now that he can do what he wants, he seems better.. I'm glad he gets to be with Dream, sounds like hes very happy. He always has loved his mom.
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Post by kidznhorses on Jan 24, 2008 11:45:12 GMT -5
This is a great report, Caryn! Sounds like taking him to another ranch and letting him just be a horse with Miss Dream was a great move!
I've really been needing a Sterling fix! Pics would be even better! Thanks for the update!
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Post by caryn on Jan 25, 2008 12:36:14 GMT -5
Thanks Tock and Kidz I'm happy he has a buddy now too. I'll get pics as soon as I can. It may be a while though, the rain just keeps coming and he just keeps rolling around in the mud  |
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Post by jenm on Jan 25, 2008 17:03:57 GMT -5
I'm so happy to learn that things are going better for Sterling. Heck, who cares about mud and rain, just give us some pictures!! ;D
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Post by caryn on Mar 8, 2008 22:58:56 GMT -5
Well, they're not great pics, but they're pics Mr. S is loving his new home and is quite full of himself. He is the king of his own castle and he now has a job. His job is to make sure Dream plays with him  I think it was a great move for both of them. They are happy, healthy, and shedding like crazy!!! Unfortunately, it's not quite warm enough for a bath yet, so Sterling is a bit on the brown side....He gets lighter every year, I cannot wait to see what color he will be after the sheds out. Dirty, but still handsome....   Wishing he was in the next pen because the baby likes to play, let's rear, strike and bite for fun...Dream just turns her butt to him and gets outta there, with the obligatory kick for emphasis, of course ( doesn't connect, just making a point )  Miss Dream: she's like a woolly mammoth at this point. The last 2 days of brushing have given me enough hair to make a pony!!!  |
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Post by caryn on Mar 25, 2009 21:01:56 GMT -5
Wow, I cannot believe it has been over a year since I updated my boy's thread. I have been remiss in my bragging duties Well, Mr. S is quite the happy camper. He's a real character and a delight to be around most of the time. I say most of the time because the other day, he was a bit of a stinker! I usually don't blanket the kids, but with serious wind chill and the possibility of snow at 2000 ft. I broke out the blankets. Only had to do this one other time this season. I walk into the paddock and what does Sterling do? He decides to run! He also decides that it is appropriate for Dream to run as well. He's a race horse after all. He's not scared of the blanket. Like I said, he's a race horse, he's had blankies. Heck, he had one 3 weeks ago without issue. Just feeling good I guess. It was a crisp day with a bit of wind and all the horses were "up". I stood in the middle of the paddock while Sterling lunged himself and Dream for fun. It was annoying, but also pretty funny. After a while, warm blankets were accepted and grain was inhaled. Fun was had by all Sterling was no worse for the wear after his running/bucking. He gets a lot of exercise in that paddock and while he's never 100% sound, he's only been seriously "off" once and that was a strain on a tendon or ligament ( vet guessed ) on his right front. Stifle seems to be doing allright. Obviously, not perfect, but he's not in a lot of pain and he's happy. I'm really glad that I found him this situation. Dream is a perfect companion for him. He keeps her moving, so that she doesn't get stiff and while I'm sure she gets annoyed with his demanding nature, she seems pretty content |
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I did not want to put him in with a horse that would run him around and Dream is good company. His injury has not gotten worse and he seems very happy 
I think it was a great move for both of them. They are happy, healthy, and shedding like crazy!!! Unfortunately, it's not quite warm enough for a bath yet, so Sterling is a bit on the brown side....He gets lighter every year, I cannot wait to see what color he will be after the sheds out.