After spending a small fortune on getting Vintage evaluated/treated, I was worried that it would basically do nothing, and I’d have to spend even more money to re-evaluate the issue. They weren’t 100% sure what the issue was to began with, so it was kind of a “This looks like it might cause the issue, let’s inject, hope for the best”.
Fortunately, this method actually is working. I can’t claim that she’s 100% yet, but she’s looking pretty good! I was given permission to ride her, so I started doing that, with gusto. She’s comfortable enough to ride that I don’t use a saddle, so I basically don’t clean her up very well (or myself for that matter), which is why we look like we both rolled in mud.
Pictured: World’s laziest rider.
Although I am telling myself that it will be really good for my legs to ride her bareback a lot. Frankly, whatever gets her ridden, I’m okay with, even if it does make me end up with a gross stain.
I will be generous and actually bring out her saddle the next time I have a guest ride her. There was an unfortunate incident where we went out on a trail ride and Vintage’s rider ended up with extremely dirty and wet jeans. Sorry about that, next time I won’t be so lazy.
Vintage can still be a bit stiff, but to be fair, she is 19 years old, and she would get stiff when she’s not ridden a lot before she hurt herself, so I don’t really think it’s related. She’s moving much better, and the chronic swelling around her fetlock has vanished. She is still on anti-inflammatorys, but if taking a fourth of a pill daily makes her sound, I think that’s pretty minimal maintenance.
Riding her is bringing out the teenager in me. Whereas with Berry, I’m cautious, and I want to make sure I’m setting her up for success, with Vintage, I do whatever seems like fun at any given moment. “How many stupid things can I do today!?” One day, it was trying terrible poses. I haven’t managed any good poses yet (some seem kind of hard on the horse’s back), but I’m confident I’ll get to the standing up pose that so many people seem fond of.
Bareback sidesaddle: A sport for the truly brave/stupid.
At this point in her life, I’m sure she’s resigned herself to put up with such tom foolery. Although that doesn’t mean she’s going to be happy about it.
She’s very judgmental.
The plan with her moving forward is to keep her in work and fit, and the vet will be out soon to determine just how well the injections worked. At this point I can tell that she’s trail/casual riding sound, but ideally, I want her jumping sound again. Might be too much to ask of a 19 year old horse though.
Anyone have a success story of bring their older horse back from an injury?