Poor Queenie, my draft cross buddy, has a splint. For my non-horsey friends, a splint is a bony swelling usually on the inside of a front leg. Splint bones on horses are the remnants of prehistoric horse toes. If the bone is damaged or over-worked, the body starts to lay down new bone to the injured area. We have been doing lots of cold therapy. 15 minutes of cold water and then an ice boot for 20 minutes. She is on stall rest for two weeks and not too happy about it.
This is the third one she has had this year. My lessons and riding are on hold which gives me time to focus on Maddy. She was much better on Friday when I walked her in the arena. I set up a bunch of cones and earlier in her stall rest I did some "clicker training" with her where I taught her to touch with her nose where I point. So we walked around the arena and I pointed to cones and she touched them and I clicked and gave her a baby carrot. She enjoys this game. It is great because in order to touch the cone, she lowers her head which helps her to relax. I was pretty proud of her on Friday. I was ready for more "crazy," and she really impressed me by staying "checked in".
Poor Queenie, my draft cross buddy, has a splint. For my non-horsey friends, a splint is a bony swelling usually on the inside of a front leg. Splint bones on horses are the remnants of prehistoric horse toes. If the bone is damaged or over-worked, the body starts to lay down new bone to the injured area. We have been doing lots of cold therapy. 15 minutes of cold water and then an ice boot for 20 minutes. She is on stall rest for two weeks and not too happy about it. 
This is the third one she has had this year. My lessons and riding are on hold which gives me time to focus on Maddy. She was much better on Friday when I walked her in the arena. I set up a bunch of cones and earlier in her stall rest I did some "clicker training" with her where I taught her to touch with her nose where I point. So we walked around the arena and I pointed to cones and she touched them and I clicked and gave her a baby carrot. She enjoys this game. It is great because in order to touch the cone, she lowers her head which helps her to relax. I was pretty proud of her on Friday. I was ready for more "crazy," and she really impressed me by staying "checked in".
11 comments:
That's tough about Queenie. Very frustrating.
Good about Maddy, though. Great way to keep her mind too busy to explode.
Golly, I hope she gets well soon so she can get back to normal and out and about when it warms up.
Geez, that's a tough break. I hope she gets healed up ok.
Glad to hear that Maddy did well with her time in the arena. That clicker training really paid off. Too cool!
You're just not having a lot of luck lately are ya girl?
I've really enjoyed your blog. I have an 8 year old mustang who would be acting much crazier than Maddy had he been stuck in a stall for months. I think it is a great idea to keep her engaged while you have her out and about. Give her something to do and think about other than running, playing, and jumping for joy. Even some ground poles to walk over might help.
I'm curious, how old is Queenie. Kola has old splints. She's 13 this year. This was in her vet check when I purchased. It's something she's well healed from and doesn't affect her as far as any lameness or pain. I thought that they were more prone as younger horses. Often happens during training. I'll have to do more reading on it as I'm not super knowledgable about it. Hope she heals well.
Hope that is a fast recovery for Queenie! That is just too bad.
And bravo for Maddy on that clicker training. Impressive!
Wow you are really being put through the wringer but it must be very rewarding to see Maddy improving and to see your hard work reaping rewards. The hardest part is the waiting, but I am sure in the end it will be well worth it all so just keep your chin up and hang in there. This gives you time to bond in a special way with her and it will pay off I am sure.
Lori
Well, by now you should have the splint treatment down to an art.
One of my best jumpers had oodles of splints. They all were directed away from the moving parts of his legs (aren't you impressed with my veterinary vocabulary?) and he never had trouble. He had them when I got him, and probably didn't receive the level of care you're giving when he popped his splints. (I got him through a dealer.)
You've got a great attitude about this. More time to work with Maddy. I should learn from your example.
...sigh...
Is it bad that I take comfort in the sight of your mud???
Hope Queenie heals up fast. Jet's got one of those, too, you may recall.
Good to hear Maddy's on the mend!
I hope Queenie feels better soon! :)
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