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Post by monicabee on May 3, 2008 11:47:13 GMT -5
I can't imagine how you can wrap a skittish horse by yourself either - and a hock, too - the most difficult joint.
I think I could manage cold hosing, though, if you want to add that to the list of activities for the afternoon shift on my days.
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Post by schwung on May 3, 2008 11:53:38 GMT -5
Monica, I don't think cold hosing is something that could be done without help either. I haven't tried it yet (will try today) but something tells me it will be hosing a constantly moving target. If it was any of the others it might be ok, but Phoenix is still very much a skittish little guy.
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Post by monicabee on May 3, 2008 12:16:27 GMT -5
I have some experience with hosing reluctant horses - best done without an audience, unless they are wearing wetsuits!
I get what you are saying about Phoenix being in his own league, though. I wonder if his time in the vet hospital equates to an "abducted by aliens" experience that colors his feelings about humans. He doesn't quite have his hooves planted firmly in our world yet.
I wish you luck!
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Post by huskiesnhorses on May 3, 2008 12:43:56 GMT -5
I can certainly come out and help - will Allison help with both changes today? If so, we can talk about a schedule when we tackle it tomorrow - I want to start early tomorrow.
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Post by jodycat on May 5, 2008 8:51:42 GMT -5
Any luck with Phoenix's "hosing downs"?
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Post by dbaldstockings on May 6, 2008 14:21:28 GMT -5
Hope the 'rodeo' to get your poor little guy treated didn't get anyone hurt.
I'd just like to add: Don't panic about the swelling extending down the leg, that is completely to be expected as fluid responds to gravity. Sometimes a pressure bandage on a higher joint can exaggerate this effect, too, since the veins removing fluid from the area get compressed, too and 'traffic backs up'.
You are on the right track with the bute and (if possible) cold hosings to contract the blood vessels, cool the joint and speed blood flow through the area. If you can't get the water on his leg, some gentle, repetitive exercise like 20-30 mins 2-x daily of walking (no sharp turns or weighting the hocks roll-backs or pivots, please!) can also help both calm him and get that fluid moving through the 'foot pump' effect.
This has always a long term two steps forward, one step back healing process in my experience. You finally get the swelling down and it comes back, goes away, comes back...don't despair. Persistence really pays off with this kind of injury and youngsters have amazing powers of recuperation.
Let us know how things go. Thanks,
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Post by schwung on May 6, 2008 14:50:11 GMT -5
We are not so much concerned about the swelling in the lower leg. This has mostly gone away after the first day and seemed to be a result of the pressure bandage the vet put on the hock area. The rest of the swelling is in the joint capsule itself and it is likely his left hock joint will always be somewhat distended. The vet looked at it yesterday and we are to continue with the cold hosing, wrapping and topical Surpass. In a week if it hasn't improved we will need to have xrays taken. He is off on it but not seriously lame. Cold hosing yesterday was a battle, we tried tying him to a post outside my arena to see how he would tolerate that so that it can be a one-person job, but that resulted of him trying to jump into my arena and breaking one of the fence boards. However, Valerie was able to cold hose him more successfully today.
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Post by huskiesnhorses on May 6, 2008 23:24:48 GMT -5
Today was my 2nd round of cold hosing Phoenix's hock. We waltzed half as much as this morning and I expect we will waltz even less tomorrow. Midway thru the 25 minute hosing - he was such an old hat at it that he was yawning.
It's not the cold water running down his leg that bothers him, it's the snake that is spitting it. He is such a contrast to Mr. Sinatra who wouldn't flick an ear if the arena roof fell down.
These boys are getting to be so gorgeous as the days pass and their coats become slick and golden.... they are truly breathtaking. And then there's Lily of she who will not shed.....
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Post by jodycat on May 8, 2008 10:43:35 GMT -5
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Post by huskiesnhorses on May 8, 2008 10:55:42 GMT -5
Yes, Phoenix is now stellar about having his leg hosed - he gets to munch nice lush grass and I get to hold his lead, hose his leg and answer my cell phone as my husband always seems to know when I'm hosing or wrapping and it's most inconvenient to take a call. I'm gettin pretty good at juggling.
As for Mr. Sinatra - yesterday morning while I was down attempting to wrap Phoenix's leg, Phoenix was biting Sinatra in the ass, Sinatra was kicking at him, then Phoenix was biting my shoe and MY ass, while Sinatra grabbed ahold of my shirt and first attempted to pull it over my head (he got it up all the way to my shoulders - thank GOD no one was there to see that) so then when I stood up - he backed up so far I couldn't even reach the section of shirt he was hanging onto to get it away from him.
It IS funny when it's happening at the time, altho irritating, but I'm also very aware that they could suddenly decide to try standing on me like a goat stand. It seems any thought that crosses their minds at the time is fair game to try right then and there.
Anyone walking by the stall would have seen nothing but 2 cute colts but a plethora of "HEY!" "STOP!" 'LISTEN YOU!' 'KNOCK IT OFF'!" 'MR. SINATRA!" 'ARGGGGHHHHHHH!"
Ahhhhh......good times....
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Post by schwung on May 8, 2008 11:23:52 GMT -5
Oh Monica, that picture of Phoenix holding Sinatra's lead is PRICELESS!! Yes, he is a real pill to turn out these days, because he will not stop grabbing the lead, biting Sinatra's butt and hocks, and generally being silly! And Sinatra is all business, he just wants to get outside and does not appreciate Phoenix's sillyness.
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Post by coconut on May 8, 2008 11:52:04 GMT -5
It's hard to imagine that these are the same babies that came in in Feb to see them now. What amazing transformations you've been able to accomplish with good care & lots of love. You gals ROCK!
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Post by monicabee on May 8, 2008 11:52:25 GMT -5
Every day is a photo op with these guys: blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsebytes/archives/138435.aspI'm going to come back and add a photo of Phoenix's leg unwrapped. Dr. Val is doing a marvelous job with his bandaging - I hope he heals up as fast as her last patient! EDITED TO ADD: Sorry, behind the thread here - this is what happens when the picture takes forever to load in Photobucket, the dogs want to go out, then the phone rings, then my husband comes down, then I notice the stairs need desperately to be vaccuumed, then of course I have to take a shower... There will be some pictures of Rhythm tomorrow that will knock your socks off... unless the dogs want to go out, etc. etc.
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Post by Whitewolf821 on May 9, 2008 0:27:38 GMT -5
OK, so if we're making a SAFE calendar, I vote for the picture of Phoenix holding the lead as one of the photos (with Monica's permission, of course!)
I LOVE that picture!!
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Post by safehorses on May 10, 2008 13:08:39 GMT -5
That picture of Phoenix holding Sinatra's lead rope is so cute that not only should it be in the SAFE calendar, but it should be submitted to any of those "cutest picture of your rescue" type campaigns...would be good PR for SAFE and might even win the rescue some donations, supplies, or whatever.
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