Koda’s Injury

About 6 weeks ago, Koda was diagnosed with a random stifle injury. We have no idea how he did it… he was perfectly sound one day and then lame the next.  You can see his lameness here – note the toe dragging, the paddling, and the crowhopping!

The vet was out (of course) – and she watched him go and performed a flexion – and the stifle definitely showed lameness (but not a drastic lameness rate) when it was isolated. She recommended a shot of legend, and a week of banamine and rest.  

After the week of rest, he was still off.  Still crowhopping, still favoring that left hind.  He resisted even weight bearing at all. So we decided on a course of legend and rest.

He was still “off” slightly and DEFINITELY weak back there as of last thursday, so we went ahead and injected the stifles. He’s doing better this week – and we are working our way up into some serious work to strengthen those muscles!

Saturday was his first day back under saddle after the injections, and he did well.  We trotted 5 minutes each direction, in straight lines.  Lots of walking.

Sunday, same thing… better results this time.

Monday, got up early to beat the heat, and walked two laps in each direction, trotted two laps (no turns) in both directions, then trotted one full lap each direction WITH turns, and then did a series of poles (only 3 in a row) for a few minutes. He did great.

Today, my friend Amanda rode him for me (she’s helping me with this mess – with three kids and school it’s hard for me to guarantee the work schedule he needs right now, so she is taking some heat for me. God bless Amanda!) and I’ll get an update from her tomorrow. He’ll be having tomorrow off.

Keep you posted on his progress…. good thoughts appreciated. I’m ready to have my horsey back!

~ by katinthesaddle on June 2, 2009.