Iron Mountain Preview

At the last minute, we downgraded Magic to the LD at Iron Mountain in Virginia. He flat out tried to kill me at the star, and was still fighting me at 14 miles. He grew a brain at the hold and gave me the perfect second loop, only to get pulled at the finish for thumps (again). Despite the roller coaster of a ride, the weekend was incredible, and I was thrilled to spend it with some of my favorite people. It gets harder and harder to come back to reality every time. I need to find a way to ride endurance full time. Ride report to follow....

Friday Fotos: Pearly

My friend, Lynn, was away the other week, and asked me if I would come exercise her mare, Pearly, while she was away. Long time followers may remember Pearly from her days at SRF with me. She has gone on to live a life of luxury with Lynn, and is boarded at the same farm that Dancer went on trial at before he sold last year. It's always an honor to ride at this farm (though I admit I feel pretty under dressed 99% of the time). Pearly was, of course, a perfect lady each time I went out to ride her. It has been years since I sat on her, and all the dressage lessons Lynn has been taking have really paid off! Pearly's training has come such a long, long way. Pair that with the fact that she's the rock steady type, and she just makes for a lovely ride. We spent our time alternately riding around the gorgeous indoor and hacking out around the farm. It was a nice break in my routine.

Bad News: Booger

The update you guys have been so patiently waiting for. :(

Some days I feel like I am cursed. Or maybe I'm just a magnet for neurological horses. I'm not sure. Either way, it's enough to make you curl up and quit.

We had just started cantering over cross rails under saddle. I was looking forward to taking Booger off the property to school at the local show grounds. I had my hopes set on the fall dressage series down the road. And then, slowly but surely, everything fell apart.

I have mentioned a few times now that Booger has developed the tendency to cross fire at the canter. I have also mentioned that I've done strengthening exercises and that we've had the chiropractor out, etc. Unfortunately, what I was really, really hoping was a young/green horse issue has turned out to be much, much more than that.

Booger has always had a bit of a weak hind end and I wasn't too worried when she would occasionally pick up the wrong lead behind, or swap as she went around in the round pen. Her canter under saddle was smooth and effortless. Gradually, however, I had to start working harder to hold a correct canter with her. Initially, her issue was worse going to the left, but it eventually started to turn bilateral. Then, she flat out couldn't hold one lead behind for more than a couple strides in the round pen or on the lunge line. Then she started to feel less and less balanced under saddle.

I emailed her owner and told her it would probably be a good idea to have someone out to check her out.

So the owner had the chiropractor out. He is one of the very best chiropractors in the state, and works on top competition horses in the richest show barns around. I have not met him personally, but I know he does good work.

I wasn't there for the adjustment, but apparently he worked on Booger for a long time and made some pretty significant changes. He commented that she was really out in her poll, and that the extent of the misalignment indicated some sort of traumatic injury. He suggested that she might have taken a fall at some point during her life.

Over the next week, I followed the chiropractor's instructions to a T. We rode on a loose rein at the walk and trot only. We did laps around the entire ring, with some large figure eights thrown in. Booger was bored out of her mind, but it was doctor's orders.

One week later, I cantered Booger under saddle again. I winced and got down immediately. She felt like a  washing machine, and worse than ever before. Whatever issues she was having were clearly not in my head, and were definitely getting progressively worse. I wouldn't describe her as lame, but she was definitely discombobulated and fumbling with her hind end. Plus, now she was pinning her ears and refusing to canter, her favorite gait.

That's not a good way to move...

Now it was my turn to panic and rant. I spent hours hashing out every detail with Mike, and then sent her owner the following email:
"So I finally rode Booger at a canter tonight and I am very concerned. Even on a completely loose rein, she's moving worse and worse. At the canter she is cross firing and bunny hopping behind. When she manages to hold the correct lead in back, she seems to just sort of trail her hind legs, and she now feels like a washing machine when I ride her. She is now protesting when I ask her to pick up or hold the canter. She doesn't do anything bad, but she is lashing her tail and flinging her head (more than ever before). She still feels sound at the walk and trot, though she was acting a bit sluggish tonight, which is unlike her. Still, she seems to be winging her right hind even at the trot.

Quite honestly, if this was my horse, I would have her hocks x-rayed. She hasn't been in any kind of heavy work, and even though she basically had the week off last week, she's getting worse and worse. The issues are now prominent in both directions.

My advice would be to use MidAtlantic's field service (or take her to the clinic since you're more mobile with your horses than I am). 

Given the swampy nature of the woods behind your property and Ozzy's history there, it would probably be a good idea to rule out Lyme and EPM first. Blood tests are cheaper than x-rays. 

You mentioned last week that you are taking this mare's career seriously. I'm not trying to alarm you, but I feel like I spend more time trying to figure out where she's off than I do actually training her these days. 

There are so many things it could be, and I am not a vet so it's hard for me to say what I think it is. It could be something as simple as she needs to be worked more to build fitness and strength at the canter or has Lyme and needs 30 days of doxy. It could also be something more serious but treatable/manageable, such as arthritis or bone chips or a joint injury. Or it could be something that's only going to get worse with time, such as EPM. I hate to keep working her if she should be resting, and I hate to stop working with her if it's something that will be helped with regular work. A trip to a clinic/specialist would help us make educated decisions about where to go from here. I need to know what's going on with her in order to ride/train her wisely/safely. 

I know you use doc Pineapple* and have a long standing relationship with him, but I would consult someone with a specialty in lameness, especially if you're thinking long term with Booger."

*Dr. Pineapple is the vet's code name for all future references. It's a long story.

It was decided that we would schedule the appointment for when I could take her. Booger's owner is not physically capable of loading the horse, let alone lunging or riding her for an exam.

I also kept repeating that it might be a good idea to run blood work  before dropping a ton of money on diagnostics. Thankfully, at the last minute, her owner did get her tested for Lyme and EPM.

On the 12th, we had an appointment at the Mid Atlantic Equine Center. This is one of the top hospitals in the country, and I always feel so lucky to live so close to this amazing facility. I pretty much grew up with an excellent working relationship with the hospital and know many of the doctors, past and present, personally. The head of the neuro department has known me since I was twelve years old. This is the hospital that saved Ozzy when he was born, and pretty much raised him. Between working at the track, in the breeding industry, and at the rescue, I have experienced some pretty fascinating medical quandaries over the years. I have been lucky in that I haven't had to go to the clinic for anything in several years. I love them all dearly, but I don't ever want to see them in a professional setting.

I arrived at Booger's barn early, after clearing my morning schedule

Booger's owner and Sienna's owner were both there with the trailer hooked up. I gave Booger a once over so she would be clean for her exam. Then I loaded her on the trailer for the first time since last winter and we were off. Ten minutes later, we arrived at the clinic and signed in.

I unloaded Booger and walked her around. This was her first time shipping off the property and getting off the trailer, and she blew me away with her good behavior. She took a quick glance around and seemed to shrug before settling down to graze. She only got antsy once, when a huge warmblood came out of the medical barn, screaming his head off and dragging his handler. Over all, I was so proud of Booger all day. This is a mare who used to greet strangers with pinned ears and a curled lip. On the day of her exam, however, I was able to hand her off to a stranger, and she went on to get poked and prodded all day long in a strange environment without a single moment of protest. She was chipper and sociable all day, and it was enough to make me sentimental. The worst part about all of this is that she has finally turned over a new leaf and become a pleasant, loving horse, only to have the rug snatched out from under us.

Boo with a staff member at the hospital.

Before long, the lameness specialist, who is new to me, came over and introduced himself. Of course, he is an extremely qualified veterinarian, and I was excited to hear his insights and watch him work.

The neuro specialist came over as well. It was pretty funny because my name hadn't been mentioned when the appointment was made, but when I pulled my sunglasses off in the parking lot, he came over with an enthusiastic, "Hey, I know you!"
"Yeah... I thought I'd try to stump you today."

We started off by discussing the results of Booger's bloodwork. She was negative for both Lyme and EPM. There was no question about the results, which is rare in this area. Most horses test at least mildly positive for Lyme, and many horses have been exposed to EPM even if they're not symptomatic.

The floor was turned over to me and I discussed Booger's training history and symptoms. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's giving a thorough history, and there were no questions when I finished.

The first step was a very thorough lameness exam. I handed Booger off, and got to watch her go. Despite the circumstances, it was a special treat for me to get to watch her move. I'm always the one handling her, so I don't get to see her outside of photos and videos. Booger was a total rock star for this part of her day. She obediently trotted down and back, then in circles and figure eights. We had rehearsed this repeatedly at home, though it was in hopes of vetting her at an endurance ride some day, not in anticipation of a hospital visit. She was asked to disengage her hindquarters, flex her head and neck, and go through all sorts of flexion tests. The doctor poked and prodded her, examined her back, and did a tail pull and other neuro basics.

At the end of this portion of the exam, we had the following findings:

• Booger appeared bright, alert, and within normal parameters.
• In tight circles, she seemed to have some difficulty placing her hind feet correctly in both directions, but this could be attributed to inexperience.
• She passed her tail pull with flying colors.
• Range of motion in her neck and spine seemed normal.
• Her feet were excellent.
• Her front legs were clean and perfect.
• She had some puffiness in her right hind, but nothing worth being concerned over.
• She passed her flex tests all around.
• She had some limited range of motion in her hips, but it could be attributed to attitude.
• She got pretty cranky when they examined her poll, but that could be because she doesn't like her ears handled and was getting upset about that.
• She has excellent and symmetrical muscling all over (thankyouverymuch)
• No pain in her back, SI, or hindquarters
• She had a very mild gait abnormality in the back, 1/5 on the AAEP scale. In some conditions it seemed worse in her left hind.

The conclusion was that there might be something very slightly off about her hind end. If anything, it was stemming from her stifles (probably the left one). The vet recommended stifle x-rays. I had to text Mike, because when he watched her go at the trot at home, he noted that she seemed off in her left stifle.

The next step was to put Booger on a lunge line in the exam ring. This is when the game changed. The moment I asked her to canter, she did exactly what I said she'd been doing. Everyone's faces changed drastically, and I wound up lunging her for a very long time while everyone watched. Eventually, I stepped out of the ring and was greeted with a sea of grim faces.

"Well, that definitely puts neuro back on the table...."

Yeah. That's what I'm saying.

They noted that she was very irregular behind, swapping leads once or twice per 20m circle. She also stumbled twice, and couldn't quite buck when she tried. They specifically mentioned the bunny hopping and how bad it was.

The recommendation was to x-ray her neck and stifles and go from there. This required a long wait for the x-ray machine, so I sent Booger's owner to work. Sienna's owner and I went to lunch, stopped at my house to take care of my dogs, and then went back to the hospital just as Booger was going in for imaging. They did have to sedate her a little for the neck x-rays, but she was reportedly still on her best behavior.

It was a long wait, during the course of which Mike got out of work and met us at the hospital. I had canceled the rest of my day, apologizing profusely to my wonderful clients, who took it all in stride. I had filled them all in on what was going on, and I think they all knew there was a good chance they wouldn't be seeing me. I love them.

Eventually, the lameness vet brought us in back to go over the initial results. The good news was that Booger's stifles looked completely clean. From the sounds of everything that day, we've done a very good job sparing her joints in training so far.

Her neck x-ray revealed a small bone spur and some mild misalignment in her poll, backing up what the chiropractor had noted. Judging by the x-rays, it's an old injury, and not an ongoing training-related issue.

The rest of her neck looked good, according to the numbers, and we were left waiting for the head of neuro to discuss that specifically.

When he came in, he told me, "It's actually refreshing to see a neck x-ray this clean for a change." Booger's spinal canal looked awesome, nice and open with no narrowing or pinching. Basically, we ruled out classical Wobbler's. This was good news because Wobbler's sucks, but it was bad news because it meant we had no real answers.

Lots of time and money later, we just knew that there was something wrong with the way Booger was moving, but no idea what was causing it. I was told, off the record, that it did appear to be neurological in nature.

We drew more blood for a Vitamin E/Selenium test, and I was hoping her Vitamin E levels would come back low. At least that's something that can cause neuro symptoms, but is treatable. Unfortunately, those levels came back normal as well.

So we discussed a bute trial. Any further diagnostics would be extremely expensive, regardless of what was happening. The easiest way to figure out if we're dealing with a pain issue is to treat the horse with pain medication and see if it makes a difference. Booger was put on bute for ten days, starting at 1g twice a day, and then downgrading to 1/2g twice a day. We were keeping our fingers crossed that the symptoms would cease over the ten days. If they did, there was a good chance that the issue was painful, and pain can usually be diagnosed and treated. It wouldn't be good news because a five year old horse in light work shouldn't have pain issues, but it would give us a direction to go in.

I took videos of Booger before, during, and after the bute trial, then emailed them to the clinic.

As you can see, all three videos are basically the same. At the beginning of the last video, I got a little excited, thinking that there was improvement, but then things deteriorated pretty quickly. As a side note for anyone who actually watched all that, the bucking at the end of the last video is due to a huge bomber fly on her butt, not anything to do with her physical condition.

The vets concurred that there was no marked improvement. The head lameness vet replied:

"Thank you for sending these videos. 

I agree and add to the consensus: the butazone test doesn't seem to change her gait significantly! So it means the change in her gait is likely not associated with inflammation. So we are either dealing with an atypical gait that she has acquired with age, a neurological problem or an inflammatory condition that does not improve with the amount of bute given.  
Vitamin E and selenium are both normal in her blood. 
2 options at this stage - either we perform more diagnostics or we try to treat her without necessarily knowing exactly what we are dealing with. 
In the first case scenario I suggest performing a bone scan (1500$) to try to see if there is any abnormal uptake on her skeleton that can possibly explain her gait abnormality. If the bone scan is not abnormal we can conclude the gait she has is her own gait and may only by altered minimally by modifying her training program. 
In the second scenario, I would recommend giving her sacroiliac and lumbosacral injections combined with bisphosphonate therapy (~1000$). This may help her in case the pain is in the pelvis/sacrum region and is bone-associated. 
Please let me know how you want to proceed. "

Booger's owner is pursuing massage and more chiropractic, which certainly won't hurt, but is unlikely to do any good. She did ask about x-raying the area. She also suggested giving Booger some time off, to which I reminded her that the horse has been out of work for a month, with the exception of the videos above.

The vet, again, replied:
"The fact she doesn't respond to bute make me think it could be neurological but on the other hand she is too regular in her gait abnormality to make me think of something of neurological origin. 
Re radiographs of the sacrum/sacroiliac, this is not an area we can radiograph (too thick on a standing horse). To evaluate this region we usually use bone scan (1500$) and transrectal ultrasound (300$). 
Re rest and time, things may change in the good sense. It is unlikely but not impossible. "

Am going to really miss this mare.

So, basically, we've ruled out EPM, Lyme, Wobbler Syndrome, saddle fit, muscle soreness, and pain issues in general. I asked if this could be because of her breeding and being half gaited. I am waiting on a reply. I doubt it, though. It's possible she has some pinching or narrowing elsewhere in her spine, but the imagine to find out would be very expensive.

The short version is that there's something really wrong with the way Booger travels. It may or may not be neurological and it's unlikely we'll ever know for sure. Regardless of what it is, her chances at having any kind of useful career are down the toilet. She won't do well in dressage, jumping, or endurance if she can't canter. You can't sell her in good conscience, knowing that there may be something very wrong with her. She doesn't really have the personality to be a pleasure horse, and I think she'll go nuts without a job.

Basically, it's just terrible news all around.

I am pretty bummed about the entire situation, but have had enough time to absorb that I'm not as devastated as I expected to be.

I have no idea if the owner is going to pursue further diagnostics. We appear to have reached a dead end.

It has been a shitty month.

WW: Mike and Oreo

Friday Fotos: My Boys

In this, the hottest part of the summer, I don't think my horses mind being half-feral. Having them in the backyard is a daily blessing that I still don't take for granted. At the end of a long, trying day, they are my little slice of peace. Feeding, haying, and watering them  has turned into my way to unwind, and I often brush them as the sun goes down. There's nothing exciting to report about Ozzy and JR, and I quite like it that way.

Two days ago was the anniversary of Ozzy's diagnosis. In some ways, it's hard to believe a year has gone by since I rode my dear, sweet standardbred. In other ways, it feels like it's always been this way. I still get homesick in a way when I think about all our old adventures, or when my friends haul their horses to fun places where I could join them if I had a riding horse of my own. It's no longer the sharp pain that makes me feel like I got robbed though. I guess life just sort of goes on. I have a happy, healthy, goofy horse who I see daily, and at this busy point in my life, that's enough.

I took pictures of the boys, mostly to document their body conditions, this week. Despite being out of work entirely since March, JR has actually slimmed down quite a bit. (Not having a barn owner to sneak him grain and alfalfa 'treats' has helped.) With the help of Previcox, he is completely sound in the pasture. Both horses come galloping up at dinner time, and one night last week, JR was bucking and spinning and acting more like a two year old colt than a 17 year old school pony. Mike moseys around on him bareback once a week or so, and I think he'd be fine for light riding, but extensive cantering, any jumping, or more than a mile of trail would make him sore the next day.

As for Ozzy...

I am very happy with his weight this year. High quality hay on top of their mediocre pasture has been the key. I grain him once a day to balance his diet, but not enough for the calories to make a difference. I hope to get him a little fatter before winter hits, but he is not the hard keeper he was when I got him, and I'm not feeding him nearly as much as I did when he was at the peak of his endurance career.

His top line is crappy, but that's not a surprise. Between the EPM and the total lack of work, I was expecting the muscle he had to disappear. It was hard to keep a nice top line on him even in his prime. I find myself nit picking, and wondering if I should just fatten him up some more (I like my horses on the round side), but I know, logically, that nothing will fix it at this point.

Medically, he is doing just fine. Sometimes he tears around the pasture like nothing is amiss. Other times, he stumbles a bit when he slows down. He trips over his feet more than he used to, but in a harmless, clumsy way. I did see him fall to his knees once in the spring, but it was after he hit a rut at a canter, and I think he would have fallen even if he wasn't neurological.  As always, he has no idea anything is wrong.

He loves his nightly grooming sessions, and grunts happily when I scratch his chest. He 'assists' Mike with the water trough, and drinks deeply every time we add to it. He's as goofy and lovable as always, and continues to thrill guests with his antics.

We have some neighbors who stop by with treats on a regular basis. The road is secluded and quiet, so we mostly get left alone, but the neighborhood is friendly, and the sight of the horses brings a lot of people joy. The first response we get when people ask where we live is almost always, "Oh, the place with the horses!" There's enough going on that the horses have things to look at, but it's peaceful enough to make for an undisturbed retirement. I think both boys would be happy to live out their lives right where they are. While I don't see us living here for the next 10-15 years, that is good enough for me!

WW: Lilly

Dancer Updates

Dancer continues to do so so well in his home. I recently found out that he qualified for the Colonial Classic Champions' Finals at the end of the month with his 13 year old rider. The show is at the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex, and it's a big deal!

Photo ©Bob Conklin.

This is Dancer's first show season, and they have been collecting ribbons all summer long. He looks so happy and relaxed in all the photos I see, and it is very obvious that he is super well-loved. I suspect that, though we miss him greatly, he probably doesn't miss us at all! He is turning into a pampered show pony.

It has been just over one year since Dancer went home to his new (and hopefully forever) owners. In that time, I think he has become a cherished member of their family. His rider gushes about him, which I love to see, but her parents also rave about what a wonderful guy he is. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this pair.

Below are some further proofs from the professional. I didn't buy all the digital files on them all, but I do think they're worth sharing.

Sienna Updates

Those of you who are friends with me on Facebook already know that I am dealing with some bad news regarding Booger. I am not ready to talk about it yet (and am still awaiting some test results), but I will share the story as soon as I know more.

In the mean time...

Pretty girl all tacked up.

Sienna has been coming right along in her training (no surprise there). These days, her owner is riding her out in the big pasture in between lessons both at the walk and gait. I think we're getting ready to go for her first off property trail ride in the next couple sessions (if the weather ever cooperates... we seriously get rain every Tuesday).

Look at this sweet face.

The other week, Mike got done with work early and came with me when I worked the mare. It worked out because Denise was away that day, and I felt better having another person on the property just in case.

The only photo I took. Love this barn.

We tacked up at the hitching rail while Mike got to meet Enya and the pony.

Enya is still suspicious of me.

We went in the dry lot where I did our routine flex, mount, flex again. By now Sienna is a 'pull out of field and ride' type.

We went right out to the field and rode around. We walked all over, then gaited all over. Sienna was perky and relaxed. She definitely understands that her job is to carry the silly human around. Good girl.

She was swishing her tail, but I love her expression.

Model status.

We haven't cantered yet. Sienna gets a little uneasy when I ask for more than gaiting speed. She canters well on the ground, so I don't think it will take much to bridge the gap under saddle. She's happy to gait fast or slow, and has really clean gaits, which I totally love. The more I ride her, the more I think she's a TWH.

Not sure how to go faster. Good effort.

It was a lovely ride on a gorgeous summer night. Denise is thrilled with her progress and is already talking about all the trail ride adventures they will have together. I think having a second horse to share with friends and family is an exciting concept for her... and not too far in the future!

I can't say enough nice things about this mare.

WW: Exhausted

Mike, Julio, and Herbie after RBTR.

Sunday Stills: Groundhog

Caught this fatty under our pear tree, stuffin' his face. He gave me the stink eye and pulled his pear closer.

RBTR 2015

In which Liz is not a deserter, and Magic earns a new name.

There are many reasons that I do the different rides I do each year. With Ride Between The Rivers I am equally excited about the time spent in ride camp as I am am about the time spent on trail. It's our annual leave-our-lives-behind party, and this year especially, I needed the getaway.

RBTR Preview

Had an amazing weekend in West Virginia. I am totally spoiled when I ride for Dr. Bob. Magic was incredible for 50 miles, but got pulled at the finish for thumps. Still, it was a brilliant ride, and totally worth getting bolted with at the starting line. I also finally got to ride with Liz. My favorite ride photo isn't quite as epic as hers, but it deserves its own entry anyway. Details when I catch up on real life...

©Becky Pearman (posted with purchase)

Two Years of Julio

A slightly overdue TU post.