Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Riley update: Make sure to read it ALL!

We made the trip to New Bolton this morning -- a damp, windy, grey day. The chill made Riley a little high, and after we unloaded he snorted and puddle-jumped was we made our way to the clinic. The vet met us half way there. For the lameness evaluation she had her assistant basically trot him down the blacktop to the clinic room. Even wearing the shoe and hospital plate on one hoof, Riley looked VERY good. The sight jogged my dim memory of how he used to move when he was able to move about freely like a regular horse.

Radiographs looked pretty good. Compared to the rads taken six weeks prior, there appeared to be no additional bone loss, and the new hoof growth is 3/4 of the way down the pedal bone. He grew 10mm of hoof, about average. One down side -- it was apparent that he had lost a lot of heel from then to now.

So off to the farrier we went. Here's what his feet looked like -- right foot trimmed, left foot untrimmed at this point...


Doggone that little nickel-sized hole. It's not totally closed up which is why he was reshod with glue-ons and a hospital plate. You'll notice, I'm sure, the lack of heel. The farrier had given him a slight wedge at the last shoeing, and that's just how it grew. We'll have to work on building that back up.


Drumroll please...

Riley is cleared for turnout. Starting this weekend. Pinch me! I can't quite believe it, and I don't really trust this information yet. Obviously we have to start slow, with sedatives and a few short stints in the soft felt footing indoor. His plated foot will need to be wrapped in elastikon. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be turned out on actual pasture. The vet didn't rule this out, and in fact she seemed to think it was a reasonable thing.

I left Riley with a concoction of carrots, apples, and molasses in his feed dish. He was happy. I'm home now, with the cats, toying with the idea that this might really be over. Riley, my boy, things are looking up! Now excuse me, it's time for my night'o popcorn and Top Chef...


21 comments:

  1. I am so HAPPY for you. :) I'm sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

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  2. Ok, this brought me to tears...I LOVE good news like this.

    I am so happy for you both. Sedated or not, we want pictures of Riley on his first day out. I don't care if he just stands there. Seeing him out of the stall and free to wander will make my day!!

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  3. A wedge practically guarantees little to no heel gowth, as growth is governed by percieved need. Since the wedge eliminates the need, there is reduced growth.

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  4. Congratulations to both you and Riley!!!

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  5. How wonderful!! Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

    http://wolfie-whatwasithinking.blogspot.com

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  6. Yay Riley! :D this totally made my day! YES - do post Riley pics soon!

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  7. That's great news! Can't wait to hear about more progress!

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  8. Wow, what a great feeling, huh? I am so happy for you and Riley!

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  9. glad to hear your boy in back in action... ;O)

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  10. Fabulous news - if you think about it, a lot of bad things came to an end on 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am - it was a good day to have an appointment like this.

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  11. I'm very happy to hear the good news! :) :)

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  12. I'm glad to read this, Stacey. What an odyssey.

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  13. How exciting!! I'm so happy for both of you - maybe this finally going to be behind you.

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  14. What great news for you and Riley!

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  15. So glad about the good news! I'm sure Riley is going to LOVE being on pasture again

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  16. Yay! I am so happy for you both! I can't wait to hear about his first really good roll! :)

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  17. Oh man I can just picture how great Riley will feel when he gets to wander out to the middle of a paddock and ROLL til his heart's content. That is fantastic news. I'm so happy for both of you!!

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  18. Turnout will greatly assist in his healing - and congrats on this new phase!!

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