Wednesday 25 April 2012

So, here we are, it's nearly the end of April, what a time it's been. This is an update on Hillary's progress as the second scan (after the adequan injections) took place today.

As you may know, the original scan showed a few dark areas which were areas of damage. The adequan's job (injected every five days for a total of seven times) was to boost her recovery.

I was quietly excited about the results of the second scan; Hillary has been walking out great, and we have hardly experienced any heat in the leg at all. She is still on pain killers, but only a little bit per day, and after today this will be dropping again. Hills seems happy to be out, wanting to walk out and when on her walks, seems very interested in what's going on around her, especially the fact that lots of new grass is growing, ready to be nibbled. I know it's been said before, but I'm so proud of how she's coped with the whole thing. She truly is an amazing animal.

So, today. The vet came and watched her trot up to check for lameness. As the weather was awful (rain and high winds), it was no surprise that she was a little over excited, but she behaved well and the vet was able to assess her movement.

During a scan, the area to be scanned has to be clipped to allow adequate conduction for the ultra sound. Hillary, in some point in her life, must have had a bad experience with the clippers, and so for both scans, she has had to be sedated. It's an odd thing to watch, but knowing that the vet is on hand makes me feel better about it.

The scan showed that Hillary still has some damage, so much so that a second course of Adequan has been started. However, the tendon that has been repairing seems fine and the vet is pleased. The course of treatment is the same as before: an injection every five days for a total of 7 injections. However, this time, I've been told I can ride for twenty minutes at walk, and also she can go out in a small paddock. This news is brilliant; Hills will be able to be a horse again, and I'll be able to start re-building the ridden bond we had.

I can't deny that I'm frustrated- I just want her better. I have cried, I'll be honest. But the more important thing is that we're heading in the right direction, and in a small way, the hard work is paying off. I have to put the plans for 2012 into getting her right and making sure that she is happy. And I know that even if it was 90 weeks of walking in hand, I'd still do it without fail, for her.

Sometimes, we have it all and care nothing for it, but sometimes all we have is tomorrow, and it becomes tomorrow that matters. I know that as long as Hillary and I have tomorrow, everything else is a bonus.



Friday 13 April 2012

Two months on...


Apologies for the vagueness of this picture- it is Hillary having the first roll in the field in seven weeks and two days! It therefore seemed appropriate, as it represents the small moment of happiness she has experienced in a huge amount of time.

It was decided that Hillary needed a medicinal boost, as it appeared her body wasn't producing the elements it needed to heal the damaged tendon. She therefore went on a course of  'adequan;' an injection every five days. Throughout the whole process I have thought myself so lucky to have such an accepting wonderful horse, and in this sense I have continued to be blown away by her impeccable behaviour and trust in humans.

She took every injection with merely a flinch, and on the fifth injection, it was suggested she could be turned out in the field for thirty minutes. I watched her every move in the field, and I almost cried with pure happiness after seeing how happy she was. After several rolls, she proceeded to throw herself around like a foal would; she was shaking too, not sure what to do after such a long time in.

After thirty minutes she came in; I checked the leg to find minimal swelling and no heat. I went home that evening elated, hoping that riding was a short distance away.

The next morning, there was heat in the leg.

The vet (who appears to recognise my voice now), suggested 24 hours box rest, followed by walking. I did as instructed. Utterly disappointed.

Hills has finally finished the course of injections, and we are having a scan in 12 days now. I am advised not to turn her out again; she could damage the new bits of tendon she is forming.

As for now though, I want to stress that even though 2012 was meant to be our year, what means more is making sure she is happy and healthy; after all that is what she deserves. This year, I WILL ensure that she gets better and fitter, and maybe 2012 will be special after all- I get to strengthen my bond with my best friend.