Post Rockley - What I've actually done - Feed

I feel that I haven't really written much about Eagers return and what I have been doing.  So I'll try and tell you.  But basically, I (maybe for first time) have been doing exactly what I was told to do.

Feed
Has pretty much remained as it was with the addition of high spec minerals.  I for many years have fed a no sugar and as few additives as possible diet from Simple Systems https://www.simplesystemhorsefeeds.co.uk/  SS works for me on many levels and still feed my own version of their Total Eclipse Balancer being linseed, seaweed and brewers yeast.  I order online and they come and deliver and stack up in my barn genius!
I don't consider SS perfect in all things, if I had all the money in the world I would probably go with Thunderbrooks http://www.thunderbrook.co.uk/  But from what I can see its not financially viable for me, a multi horse owner. Dr Deborah Carley is an interesting person indeed and have on frequent occasions for Zulu fed their Gut Restore and Liquid Gold.  She is a font of knowlege and worth following.

With regards to the minerals.  Nic recommends you have your grazing/hay analysed and you supplement accordingly.  I wasn't entirely happy with this due to the hay coming from different places/fields.  Also, I think you need to be careful when feeding straight minerals.
So after some research I decided on a broadspec mineral balancer from the EquiNatural Company http://www.equinatural.co.uk/EquiVita
Because, I have 3 big horses (they all need help with their feet) this seemed the highest spec for the best money.  Nic also recommends a company called Progressive Earth, who I know Marion has found very helpful.  Without a doubt, Zulu and Conors feet have improved since I have been using.  There is definitely a different quality to the hoof.  Much, like I observed in Eagers at Rockley.  Its hard to say, but even to touch, it feels different.  Almost more dense?  I have also since the start of March added extra magnesium to all of their feeds. Which is meant to make a vast difference to their footyness when the grass is too sugary.  You can't overfeed this as the body will just get rid of it with no adverse affect.  Interestly enough, Conor has always loved his foot soaks in Epsom salt.  Which is something I have always done if he looks sore.  Guess what it contains.... yep magnesium!

They have a handful of Simple Systems lucie/grass nuts, natural hay chop (no molasses), large scoop of linseed plus seaweed, rosehips and for my oldies boswelia.  I am currently also feeding dandelion, cleavers, nettle and milk thistle as a spring tonic.

I have always fed herbs to my horses and people have questioned me how I know what to feed them? Well, obviously like everyone else I can read the descriptions for each herb on the box, websites etc.  But, how do I pick them....  well I don't know.  I just decide what they may need and I do it.  I suppose some would say I go with my gut, but I'm sure its more informed than that. 

So far so, good.

11 weeks post Rockley and 1st Ashen Course

Eager has now been home from Rockley for 11 weeks and I can honestly say she is 'sound'.  Her stride has opened up so much in the last 3/4 weeks.  My little pony hacking buddies can no longer keep up.  Which is as it should be when your riding a 16.2 warmblood and your friends are on 12.2 ponies :-)

It was Becky's 10 year anniversary of have Ashen EC open this weekend.  This is when I had Eager booked in to make her debut return.  Which she did with much aplomb!!  In fact a little too much.  I had a sneaking suspicion this week that she was in season.  Plus, I haven't ridden her in an arena, at all.  So I guessed it may be interesting.... so much so that I actually took and put on my air jacket.

So after an example of how she could rodeo and stand on her back legs (So high I thought she was going over backwards) we kept her schooling on the lunge for about 1/2 an hour.  I had bad thoughts that this was going to be a complete waste of money.  There was no way, I was getting on her!  To which Becky agreed.  Becky arrived with a schooling whip with a bag on the end.  We needed to teach her to keep her flailing limbs away from us!  So B proceeded to school on the lunge with changes of movement and direction frequently.  She is Bossy and you need to fill her brain, before she does.  Any loss of attentiveness and the bag chased her a little.  Always wanting the shoulders and head pointing at me (in the middle) instead of the back end.  She twigged very, very quickly.

So I got on.... for about 1 minute and then I got off again.  We established I get very uncomfortable when I lose her shoulders.  Eager has taken control of her shoulders and I need to make sure I have them on lunge, in hand and ridden.

So we did in hand work.  Getting her to bend around me but, getting the shoulders to move away.  So if on the 3/4 line, get her to bend around me but leg vield to the track.  The aim is to get the front inside leg to cross over on front of the outside leg.  She needs to move forward and away. 

So I then got on again......  Yay!!!  Eager (finally in control of herself)  Doing constant shoulder movement, change of direction and movement.  Don't have a floor plan.  Just keep her moving and thinking!!  Do not allow her to take control!

1 Month from Rockley

Last Friday was Eager's anniversary of being a month back from Rockley.  I managed to download a free app on my phone so I could record Eagers walk in both the medio lateral and if she was landing heel first.  It took quite a few attempts to get it right and again help from Marian.

Below is the heel first

 

and then the medio lateral

 

I sent to Nic at Rockley and she said it wasn't quite high enough spec to see the heel first exactly.  But, getting my eye in I would say it is or only just flat.  Obviously, I want heel first!  The medio lateral video shows quite clearly the twist on the right fore.  But, hardly seen on the left.  It will be really interesting to compare this in a couple of months when the total new foot is grown.

 

Previously, to this I had taken her for a small hack on the road Solo.  Which she was really good.  I then took her in the school for the first time since she was diagnosed.  Initially she felt pretty good....  Then, I think she felt too good and we did a good impression of a rodeo across the school.  I did think she was going to jump out.  But,thankfully stopped and put me back in the saddle!  Shortly after I dismounted, un-tacked and put her on the lunge where she decided to run around like a charging Warthog for 10 minutes.  Fair enough... I think this may need to be work in progress :-)

 



January New Starts

Next Friday Eager will have been home 4 weeks!!  How time fly's when your having fun :-)

I have been very good and ridden 3 times every week.  Although small blip and didn't manage to ride this Saturday due to 30kmh winds.  She has been really good and I have had no reason to feel its not been working.  We had our longest hack last Wednesday and about 1/4 of a mile from home she did stumble 3 times.  So not sure if it may have been a bit much or if it was because we had 20m of 'Passage' past some young stallions in a field.

I have seen Eager do her 'Passage' a few times, mainly on the lunge and once when I was walking down the road with her in hand.  It absolutely terrified me.  She gets such suspension in mid air, its quite phenomenal. Truly a girlie showing off with her tail bolt upright.  Every time I've seen it, I always think "shit, hope she doesn't do that when I'm on her".  Well, I can say with my hand on my heart, it was truly amazing to sit on, like floating.  Not, like riding an unexploded bomb at all.  So now all I can say is "Shit, I hope she does that again when I'm on" LOL

Apart from that.  I have been trying not to obsess too much and stick with my I'll do photo's and video at 4 weeks and send them to Nic.

I also decided when Eager went away that I needed to lose quite a bit of weight.  At 5'9 I will concede I can carry weight quite well and I do carry it very evenly.  So never really get that perspective of being huge.  But it does creep up....  I spent pretty much all of my 20's between 9 1/2 to 10st (yes I was very slim).  I have spent the last few years at a lot more than that!!  But should be somewhere between 10-11st for ME to be happy.

Previously,the biggest I had been was 12st.  But, what I hadn't expected was to weigh myself last Sunday and be 12st 11lb!!!  I had seen a few photo's on facebook recently and my face looked big.  Talk about a kick into action!

In the last 10 years I have done 2 diets.  Both no (or should I say silly low) carbohydrate.  the infamous Atkins diet in which I lost 2 stone in as many months and the Dukan in which I did the same.  No carbs, just works for me.  I am not saying its easy, but it works and quickly.  For me psychologically quick and noticeable means I stick at it.

I am doing a bit of a hybrid of the both.  So basically meat, fish, vegetables, salad and low fat dairy.  This is it, all of the time.  I have lost 7lb in 7 days...  so clearly working :-)  I know people don't have a good word to say about high protein diets, which I don't really get.  I am eating about quadrouple the amount of veg I normally do.  So I don't really get what is so bad?  I don't eat fruit very often anyway.  So no loss there... and by the way there is no such thing as 'Good' sugar.  Sugar is sugar, whether it comes from an apple or a jelly tot and if your trying to lose weight you need to cut it out.  I just laugh at people who go on diets and consume vast quantities of fruit in a smoothie.  Probably more sugar in that than a mars bar (although I concede they may high slightly more fibre).  Equally I don't agree with the theory of its bad to lose weight quickly.....  really how?  Your just jealous I'm losing and your not I'm afraid!

One thing I have really noticed this time is my motivation.  Yes, I look and feel better slimmer.  I look better in clothes and I can move better.  Which overall makes me more confident about myself.  But that isn't enough when I'm happily scoffing some French bread and cheese.  Eating makes me happy.  But, I can remember how amazing I felt 5 years ago when I lost 2st on the Dukan diet.  So many people commented on how different I seemed as a person.  My mantra truly became Kate Moss "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" and I truly believed this.   I can remember that feeling of being confident, powerful and attractive.  I remember this because I was 38.  I had taken it for granted when I was younger (and it happened naturally).  So realising this is my motivation has made me really think about what motivates people who have been overweight for a long time.  How do you realise how much better you will feel if you have never felt amazing?

Great links... (especially for Lisa M)

I've had this is the background for a while and keep meaning to add to it.

Here are some very informative articles about Feet (horses)  I warn you.... you do end up reading about 10 articles later.

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/hooves-from-veterinary-perspective.html
http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/science-catching-up-with-feet.html

Sound

I am so, so behind on my writing!

So... 4 weeks ago I drive to Rockley with the fabulous Marian to keep me company.  I love my husband dearly, but I have to say there was a lot more conversation with Marian!!

We arrived Sunday morning where Eager rushed to the front of the stall and whinnied with delight at seeing me :-)  No, this is what happened in my head.  What she actually did, was look at me slightly suspiciously and carried on eating her haylage.

Marian proceeded to ask all of the questions that I needed to ask and don't....  I have to say Nic was a bit bristly to start.  I think she had a pretty bad week, I know her dog had died.  But it was a bit weird and not entirely necessary.  There was a tense moment when Marian asked if Eager was 'Sound' to which we got a 2 minute dialogue as to what did sound actually mean and it was all subjective.....  I thought it was a fairly inoffensive question when you are paying £180 a week to get your horse using its foot correctly.... to enable it to become.... urm sound.  But, I think we decided to let bygones be bygones on that.  It improved after that and I think Nic actually ended up giving Marian some pretty sound (excuse the pun) advise on what to try next with Archie's footyness.  I think we have to accept that some people are just not made for the people business and that is why she deals with horses.  I have no problem with that!!!

What was very clear was the difference in her hoof.  Both the texture and the angle.  Here is the link she posted just after I went http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/eagers-6-week-update.html
I again asked what is it that creates such a dramatic change.  Again the answer diet, surfaces and movement.  I have come to the conclusion there is no rocket science to it.  I don't believe Nic is being evasive or trying to protect her business.  It is just really just this simple.... Saying that I'm sure there is some Rockley magic (Nic's huge experience) involved.

After all that, still feeling no more enlightened about Rockley than I did 8 weeks ago.  I got on!!!

Off we toddled up the road and back.  She started a bit tottery but her stride soon opened up and she felt much more her usual old self.  I occasionally asked her to work a bit and she seemed to remember how, but found it quite difficult.  Nic commented they normally just ride on the buckle.  Which was great to hear to be honest.  I didn't really want anyone messing with her schooling. 

(yes, I am the one with the purple tit)

I then took her in the school and asked her to so a few circuits in trot.  She was very, very lazy and it was hard work.  But she ended up feeling pretty good and definitely SOUND.... In my opinion LOL.

But God it was hard work!!  LOL for us both.

I came away feeling a little numb if I'm honest.  But looking back now, I have such faith in Nic and Rockley.  It never occurred to me that it wouldn't work.  So, me riding her and her being better was no surprise.

It again is very clear what needs to happen when she gets home. Hacking on the buckle and then hacking work.  Then schooling will start hopefully in about April.

The last month

Tomorrow, I go to see my 'little miss muffit' (said in Cheryl Cole voice).

She has now been at Rockley 6 weeks and is in full ridden work and I can ride.  Very exciting and a little nervous.  I haven't ridden for 5 months now.  I think this is the longest I have ridden for in about 13 years.  So, I fully expect to be a little sore on Monday!

I am also a little worried where my hat, gloves, boots etc are.... and do they still fit?

Lots of people have been asking me if I'm looking forward to riding again?  If I am really honest I am not 100% sure.  Life has been so easy looking after the other 3 and not riding.  I have been able to catch up on lots of jobs and each week I have set myself a task.

2 weeks ago.   The cat climbing frame.

and last week I tidied up the arena and decided to put the poles in a convenient place

Both of which I think I am quite proud of.  I assume there is only so much DIY you can do?

The best news also is that when she comes home in January, I have arranged with work a 4 day week.  Spending, each Wednesday riding!

I'll post hopefully with pictures after the weekend.

Support group?

When Eager was first diagnosed with Navicular I searched on Facebook (among many, many other places) for any information I could find.  I found two closed membership forums and I can't really remember finding anything that useful on them that I didn't find elsewhere but, I think it's nice to have a bit of support.  

Rockley have their own support forum.  Strictly for people who have had their horses at Rockley.  Which is great, because there is a lot of negativity out there!

A post last week on one of them happened to ask if there were any Ex Rockley rehabs out there.  I said, I was.  The lady in question was in the US and as she couldn't get to Rockley.  She wanted as much info as possible.  I PM'd her, just giving a brief description of Eager and pretty the rest being what is on Nic's blogs.  Anyway, we got a bit of dialogue going which is not something I would normally do with a complete stranger.  But, I really felt for her and she really believes in what Rockley do but doesn't have a similar place in the US.  It again made me thankful that Rockley is in relative terms,on my doorstep.

Now, the lady in question happened to mention in a further post that one of the trimmers she used to use made her horse sore every time.  She had then changed trimmers and the horse hadn't been sore since.  Pretty innocuous post to be honest.  Not a statement of blame, just a statement of fact.  Whereupon, a trimmer (I so gather) left what can only amount a 500 word rant about how dare she blame trimmers, blah, blah, they do their best in a bad world.... along those lines.  Not content with one post, she then continued to start again in another.

Now......  I took a little exception to this.  As not at any point did my American friend say anything derogatory about anyone, just made a very small comment that one trimmer made her horse lame and the next one didn't....  So, not wanting to really start a row.  I tried to defend my new found friend, whilst also trying to defuse the situation and make a statement I totally stand by.

 

As you can see.  That went really well for me. LOL

I do admit, maybe my NEVER was a little aggressive and understand this could annoy. I then found out this woman was the administrator of the forum and I couldn't really see how this was going to end well.  So, to avoid me getting into a silly online row, where clearly things would be taken out of context (by one person).  I deleted my membership.  So I can't tell you where this conversation went as I can't see anymore!  

I now realise this is a bit of a shame.  As I have spoken to my American friend and she stays on it to try and learn as much as she can about Rockley.  I just can't see how what the nutty trimmer has said is in anyway supportive.  It wasn't a trimmers support group (which she clearly needs amongst other things) it was about navicular? So technically, all the other people out there who can't afford of aren't able to send there horses to Rockley, lose a source of information on how horses are successfully rehabbed.

Situations and actions do create reactions. The fact of the matter is that Eager's weakness in her foot was exacerbated by my farrier leaving the toe too long on the foot.  Yes, I take responsibility for this as I looked at her feet for a couple of months thinking it didn't look right.  I don't really even blame the farrier.  He did what he did with best intentions and how was he/me to know that she had something going on in her foot that means they need to be kept perfectly? With most other horses if may have made no difference.  None of us are perfect, all we can do is the best we can with the information we have been given.  But we do have the choice to look for it.

Eager landing heel first in just 2 weeks!

It's now been 2 weeks since I took Eager B to Rockley and she has had her first Rockley blog entry

Http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/eagerly-awaited.html
 

And I have just had an email from Nic this morning telling me she is being a good girl and has settled really well..... Also that she is consistently and clearly already landing heel first with every stride. Wow!  In two weeks! I am over the moon :-) 

So she will now be worked on more challenging surfaces.  As she is now landing heel first and using her foot correctly I can only assume the inflammation in the foot will start to go down and the pain should diminish. 

Over the last week or so I have acknowledged in my head that there is no doubt in my mind she will come sound. So I am already looking forward to next year and the work involved to build a solid base of work for Eager to continue with her soundness.  This will be mainly based on hacking and building muscle and fitness. As I recently put in an email to Becky 'like in the olden days'.  

Sitting here on the train I have a big smile on my face.  All is becoming clearer to me what I should do.

Also, it has now made me doubly annoyed with the insurance company for not paying out.  Not just for me, but all of those people who do not have the money to pay for this treatment.  Because, it is a lot of money. I am now formulating in my mind a letter to the head of SEIB and the insurance ombudsman.  It absolutely needs to be done! 

Eager the 'Rockley' dude.

So I started typing this in the car park at Rockley.

The journey took us 6 hours, including about 30 minutes of stoppage time.  Eager travelled like a dream.  Barely leaving a moment without munching on her hay. Which made it very stress free for me and David. This is also aided by the fact I could see her munching on her hay on the camera in Jacqui and Andy's fabulous little lorry.  I really couldn't have done it in the Landy!  The last bit of the journey being the most stressful around the windy roads.  But this literally was the last 30 mins.

 

So I've just been told she settled in amazingly well last night. Bless her cotton socks. She has always been such an easy horse to have and be around, it would appear other horses think so too.  I hope this doesn't change.

I have just walked around the tracks with her and she seems fine, maybe a bit perplexed but not unhappy.

 

Nic's taken all of her photos and has said there is a lot to like about her feet.  Just the media lateral twist that would be the problem. She thinks she'll progress really quickly.  Which is great.

So that's it!  She's here.  I am very excited to see the blogs about her progress.

Huge massive thanks to Jacqui and Andy for lending me their horse box. It made the journey a pleasure for all concerned and obviously saved me some much needed pennies. 

Thank you Marian for being one of the only people in the last few weeks to make me feel better about myself and having the balls to tell me I was doing the right thing (even if it was just to make me feel better)

Also, a big thank you to David for supporting me on the long drive up there and staying at Faulty Towers.  Taking over driving on the way home, when I finally crashed and burned (not literally) and lastly but certainly not least, covering the cost of Rockley because the insurance company wont.

Miss you already Miss Eager B. X

Rockley T+5

Approximately, 11 weeks ago after Eager was showing very intermittent lameness.  She was to my shock at 5 years old and barefoot, diagnosed with Navicular Syndrome.  Told almost there and then the prognosis wasn't brilliant, but maybe able to do light work and possibly a bit of dressage after remedial shoeing.  Not in line with buying an eventer! 

Approx. £3.5k, 2 visits from my vet, 1 visit to Rossdales, 1 X-ray, 1 MRI scan, steroid and huyaloric acid injections, a tildren drip and a few differences of opinion later I am finally 5 days away from my trip to Rockley with Eager (which is where I decided she was going the day I was told the diagnosis) She is still shoeless!

In those few weeks I have remained mainly positive, because my dreams for her are still very much alive (if a little extended). I no longer feel ridiculously unlucky.  Infact, I feel fortunate.  Yes, I had already had two horses diagnosed in their prime to retire.  But, they are still with me and I was fortunate enough to have the money (just) and the space to get Eager.  I am aware and reconciled to the fact she, for the foreseeable future will be my final horse.  But they are all still with me and will spend the rest of their lives with me, in as much comfort as I can offer.  I have not had to make any decisions because I can only afford to keep one on a livery yard or equally have had to give up when Conor retired in 2007. I have had 3 good attempts and learnt so much in that time.  I still carry on learning everyday.  I simply cannot imagine a life without Conor, Zulu, Eager and even Bess. I don't regret a moment.

I have taken advantage of the recent time off and tried to do a combination of house stuff, yard and relaxing :-)  A small glimpse of what normal people do.  I even went to IKEA yesterday and this morning  made and waxed a table! 

Becky sent her dates out for next year, last week and I literally do not know what to do.  I am a little fed up with planning.  I have spent the last few years planning my riding a year in advance... And I'll be honest it hasn't really worked for me.  What I will actually need to do is just get on and ride! Whenever and wherever I can! If I am lucky.......

So, I have had a few blips in the last couple of days because last chance saloon is a week away.  Its easy to function when a dream is still very much attainable.  I very fleetingly allow myself to question what I will do if it doesn't work? But it's so fleeting I don't have an answer.  I'll cross that bridge if and when the route means I have too.  But preferably, I'll jump that river on a cross country course :-)

I remain to live by my motto "you only regret the things you don't do".

Sometimes, I feel its just me

Struggling to fight my corner for Eager to go to Rockley has actually been quite hard and I can totally understand why people do as they are told.  Especially if you are not as confident as I am that I'm doing the right thing.  Even 10 years ago, I may have done what I was told.....  Mmmm well you never know :-)

Equally, I have questioned whether I have just been pig headed.  Am I one of those women that just argues, when in reality I don't have a clue.  I know I like to play devils advocate in a lot of situations.... Sometimes I just can't he help myself.  I just like to see both sides of the coin before I make a decision. Although, I guess if one side of the coin looks particularly attractive you are going to do what you can to make it land up every time. That may even involve sticking blue tack over the less favourable side (I have no idea if this would work, but you get what I mean)

I suppose it may be reasonably easy to trawl the internet to find people that agree with you.  I have tried to be as objective as I can and have even tried to google navicular and prognosis trying to be 'pro shoeing' and I'll be honest while there are good stories.  There are not too many and they appear to be short lived success.  But you try and google navicular on a forum and it not end up with Rockley being the success route.  You'll be very, very hard pushed.

So why, do barefoot people get such a bad name?  and in my opinion, its a few things.. 

Firstly, I think a lot of people do it badly and unsuccessfully.  They don't research, they just take their horses shoes off. Proclaim to be barefoot and carry on as normal....  They don't condition the foot.  When I took Zulus shoes off I hand walked up the road, everyday for a month. By week two he was crippled and I was wondering what the hell I had done.  By week four he was completely sound on the road and walking across stoney fields! Another thing is diet, which I won't go into now but can be crucial.  But thankfully is pretty much what I was feeding anyway. The next is a brilliant trimmer or now I realise lots of hacking (over 10 miles a week) to keep the foot functioning correctly and by all accounts they self trim.

Secondly, people who go barefoot successfully have generally really looked into the whys and wherefore of what they are doing and apply the above diet, trim, lifestyle (of the horse, not the owner!).  We totally understand (or try too) it's how the foot should function and how it hopefully should lead our horses to live a longer sounder life. If you have applied a lot of research into something and it resonates within you, it becomes part of your belief system. This makes people passionate!

Thirdly, from the day we start riding, researching, loving, training to be a vet, farrier, etc,etc we invariabley see a horse with a shoe on.  No one even thinks of a horse without a shoe on.  Its ingrained in us.  Hearing a horse clip clop up the road still inspires the urge in me to run to the window and have a look. Having read a post of Nics recently there is even a photo in a veterinary book of a hoof cut in half so you can see inside.  It still has the shoe attached!  They aren't born with them on! She mentions barefoot is not even covered in the prospectus of a vet?  It's just what happens.  You're on a yard people you do what everyone else does.  You put shoes on every 5/6 weeks.  How many people, question why you would put a rigid metal on a living flexible thing?

Anyway, I can't even remember why I started writing this post now.....  I'm sure I've digressed.

But, what I must mention is that clearly there are many horses that last for years with shoes on, with no ill effects.  If it isn't broke, why fix it?  Maybe these are the horses with perfect conformation?

I also know one person who in her heart is totally barefoot, but for medical reasons (laminitis) her horse has shoes on and this is how she has incredibly successfully managed a near impossible situation for years.  I also know she gets very upset about our passion and feels she is being ostracized .  This is so not the case, your amazing and you've done an amazing job. 

I for the record do not consider myself pro-barefoot.  I am pro your horse moving as soundly and as ethically as possible.  For some this may mean shoes, for others it doesn't.  I'm pro people doing the best they possibly can with the information they have available.

I think for this reason, vets are not going to easily (aha I've remembered my point of this post) recommend barefoot therapy for caudal heel/foot/navicular/DDFT (the list could become long) problems.  Because, quite simply a majority of horse owners will not be prepared/have the education or have inclination to change THEIR lifestyle in exchange for their horses for the rest of its life. 

But, what they haven't taken into account is that some people do and will.  They don't know the circle of amazing people I have the pleasure of knowing and sharing my horse journey with. :-)  I am truly blessed.

 

MRI Scanaroo

So.... the MRI was last Friday!

Since then I have spoken to Rossdales twice.

Eager was her usual chilled amazing self.  Travelling well and seemed pretty unfazed by arriving at Rossdales Equine hospital.  Maybe helped by me being unfazed as well, being about my 6th visit there over the years. Well, I say unfazed.... Until they led us both to stable no.1 which was Zulu's stable for our last visit there for his final prognosis. The emotion and the feelings of how I felt last time I stood in the stable sobbing into his neck, hit me like a train. Thankfully, I am not in the slightest bit superstitious. So I got over it.

We then met Matthew who was the assistant of the person I was supposed to see Sarah Powell. Who was apparently at a conference in Canada.  After my initial, bugger that's not good.  I decided that I was only here for diagnostics so it didn't really matter.

Matthew then asked me to talk him through what had happened (as the vets hadn't yet sent anything) so I did.....  I told him about Rockley etc.  To which there was only a reaction of that Sarah was aware of Rockley and the work they were doing. I could feel I wasn't having too much effect on him with what I was saying until I said that from what I could gather shoeing etc was only putting a sticking plaster over the wound and wasn't really solving the problem.  I didn't care if she wasn't sound in the next few months, what I wanted was long term soundness that would last us years.  If this meant I couldn't ride or do what I wanted this was fine, if it meant I would be doing what I wanted in 5 years time.  Finally I got a reaction and i think he then realised the sort of person I was. He then commented that I was then very different to most of he people who went to Rossdales.  Thinking about this now, what a sad state of affairs.  Horses another example of I throw away society.

So off I went with Marian to Cambridge for the day whilst Eager B had both of her feet scanned.  

At 4pm I picked her up and took her home.  Unfortunately, Matthew had to deal with an emergency and would call me later.

So he phoned about 6.30 and I then phoned back again on the Monday to clarify a few things.  It basically equates to this.

Firstly, the damage on her navicular didn't look nearly a bad as it had on her x-ray.  Which is good news. There are no holes in the DDFT or damage to the collateral ligaments.  

There isn't really a main problem.  But the is a lot of inflammation around the coffin joint and the elongated navicular bone is putting pressure on the impar ligament and the sesmodian collateral ligament. 

It is a confirmation thing.  Her feet just aren't perfect enough.  I haven't done anything wrong.  It's not due to bad trimming, unshod feet, bad management, over work, under work or bad management. It would have always happened. 

He said Sarah agreed with sending her to Rockley as a good therapy. Also, look into IRAP therapy which would be injected through the DDFT and navicular bursa into the coffin joint. This would work as a more natural anti inflammatory than steroids.  Anyway, I did some research on this over the weekend and whilst I don't disagree with it I wasn't too keen on keep injecting into such a risky place.  The whole thing became irrelevant on the Monday though as he said I needed to do one or the other, not both.  Either send her to Rockley or do the IRAP and put her in shoes in a stable for 3 months.  Lol he said he already knew my answer to that.  Unfortunately, he did backtrack on saying they would recommend Rockley as a treatment for me (to help with insurance) apparently they can't be seen to favour a specific alternative therapy in case it got out on a forum etc.... Well here it is on a blog. 

So, there it is.  Not as bad as we thought was the overall prognosis and Matthew couldnt see after treatment that she shouldn't go back to normal athletic work. :-)

Also, I must say a huge massive thank you to Marian for offering and coming to support me.  Totally unexpected and meant a huge, huge amount to me.  It's not very often I get an offer of help emotionally.  The down side of being capable and strong is that everyone ACTUALLY thinks you are...... 

How to sell the dream?

Eager is booked in to have her MRI scan this Friday.  I was quite chilled about this until I actually read the letter and it advised that remedial farriery would be done on site before the horse goes horse (if required).....  here we go again.....

I will again have to explain why I want my horse to be barefoot, why I think its best and why I want her to remain barefoot and go to Rockley.  All in a lovely way that doesn't sound like I'm telling them what to do! and I anticipate there will be much shaking of head and disagreement with my reasons.

Its so tricky as these vets clearly know what they are doing and I cant imagine they take too kindly, after I have taken my horse there for diagnosis that I then tell them what I am going to do about it.  Because, obviously as banking management I know far more than them.  Which couldn't be further from the truth!

I may be lucky and they may surprise me...

But, I remember when I told the vet last year that I was taking Zulu's shoes off to help his with the proprioception of where is back feet were.  The vet disagreed with me and said it wouldn't help at all.  How could it not help????  I still totally disagree with her! and she was lovely....

I did ask for the same vet and they said they would of complied if it wasn't for the fact she was still on maternity leave :-) and :-( for me.

So, I need to be at my most diplomatic.  Which means I will need to have eaten before I get there (first and foremost).  I need to ask them to try not to openly disagree with me on the analysis unless of course it is something totally different.  Otherwise, I assume the insurance company are going to totally get the 'ump with me for going against advise.

There is a tiny part of me that thinks 'sod it' maybe I should just go with what they are saying.  Maybe she will come slightly sounder (for a while) with shoes?  maybe I will get Loss Of Use and then I'll send her to Rockley with the money?  But, I just cant!  I am now so convinced this is the best long term solution and I'm afraid that I cant help but think the sooner we get this sorted, the more chance we have of long term soundness? or am I just being pig headed?

The rehab reunion

On Saturday.  After Nic inviting me, I drove for 3 hours to the Boomerang Equestrian facility to gate crash the Rockley Rehab Reunion RRR.  It had been a camp Thur-Sun for any previous Rockley clients.  It was an open day on the Saturday for people to go along and ask questions, etc, etc.

I was taking this opportunity to find inspiring stories!  I didn't get to talk to as many people as would have liked.  But, the two people who I did talk to are both now eventing and were great.  Again all were shocked when I said Eager was already barefoot.  It made me quite hopeful that her rehab may go a bit quicker due to the fact her feet are already conditioned to go barefoot unlike probably 95% of other people that go.

I did ask if it hadn't worked for people and the answer is yes.  But mainly if they have something else wrong too and if they do not follow Nic's instructions.  Again, I guess most people are having to change so many things diet, management and riding. Whereas, having had all of my horses barefoot now for sometime.  I may have already addressed some of these factors.  But, LOL we will see.

My main concern is the amount of on going roadwork/hacking I am going to have to do afterwards.  Pretty much everyone has reiterated the more work the better and all seem to do at least 10 miles a week.  Whilst I am sure this is achievable.  It will be tough for me.  Especially, as at the moment as she wont really hack alone.  She is going to have to woman up a bit!  Also in the winter it is all going to need to be done at the weekend.  This is two lengthy hacks each day of about 8km.  This is a good 3-4 hours riding!

But the main thing is, it has worked for other horses and they are all out doing the stuff I want to do!

MRI here we come

Patrick (vet) finally phoned me back this afternoon (in all fairness he has been on holiday) and was on his was to lunch in the City.  I explained the videoing, Nic's response, the Insurance company etc, etc.

He was again, great.  He was annoyed with the insurance company for being so pedantic about his wording (which will hopefully make him think a bit more in the future) and said "good for you" when I mentioned that I told them if they weren't going to pay for Rockley then I wanted an MRI.  But he said, he was going to say lets do an MRI anyway.  He didn't really comment on the walking better downhill than uphill.  So I'm still not really sure what/if anything that means.  He did ask what Rockley thought about the videos and I just said Nic thought they were very helpful and interesting.

So the outcome.... he is going to write a report requesting an MRI scan on Monday and phone Rossdales to get her booked in before October.  So I guess about another 7-10 days away.

Here we go again.....  God, how I hate that drive to Newmarket.

Mmmmm

So I have been away in France for a week.  Which was truly amazing.  I do need to write about this is another post.

Whilst I was away.  The vet had written a fairly wafty report to Rockley to which he copied in the insurance company.  The insurance company have pretty much advised they wont pay for Rockley as it doesn't come under any of their approved treatments.  I have spoken to them today though and mentioned that it was fairly short sighted of them as Rockley has an 85% success rate.... and Eager has Loss of Use.   She said they could right to the underwriters requesting it....Mmmmm thought you might LOL.

So the vet report read as below:

Anyway, because the vet wrote she was only showing signs of intermittent lameness.  Nic at Rockley then contacted me saying could I get some footage of her being lame.  I told her this wouldn't be hard as to me, on a circle.  You couldn't get much lamer!

So as soon as I got home.  Vikki came round to video.  When I noticed she was no where near as sound as she was before I went away.  Very short striding on the road but noticeably much happier going down hill rather than up.  Which I thought was a bit weird.  She also trotted up very short.  We then did the circle video.....  just awful.  Far from intermittent lameness.

Nic has responded saying its very interesting and very useful .  So mission accomplished.

I have phoned the vet and I am waiting for him to get back to me.  It is now clear to me she needs an MRI scan.  There is no point in me paying out for Rockley if its something that will never get better. 

As you can see..... not feeling as hopeful as I once was!

The waiting game

Last Wednesday, Antonio came out again to trim Eager's back feet and just check how it was going.  I have been doing as I've been told and walking her out each evening on the road in straight lines.  She was pretty tottery up until pretty much the walk I did before Antonio turned up and she seemed to be walking much better.  So I was pretty pleased. Antonio, then watched her move and still thought she looked quite bad.... ohh.  He trimmed the back feet and also took some more off the side of her left foot to help with the lateral twist.

I had sent the vet the Rockley Vets report and asked him to look at it.  Not having much hope.  But he replied, very quickly saying he could and it sounded a good thing.  It certainly wouldn't do any harm.  Which isn't really what I was expecting! So I was again relieved.

Patrick (vet) came to look at her on the Friday morning and said she actually looked a lot better than she did.  I said she was looking like she did before she went to the vet LOL.  But still not good around corners.  We had a conversation about Rockley and what they did and we both agreed I could probably do it at home if I didn't work and had all the time in the world!  Again we had another conversation about an MRI scan and he seemed to think it wasn't worth doing until after Rockley.  He was happy to refer me to Rockley as there is so much unknown about Navicular and all horses are different.

So I contacted Nic at Rockley and she is pencilled in to go at the beginning of October :-)  Nic has been great so far and has sent me a few bits and also invited me to the Rockley Rehab reunion in September so I can speak to people and see what they are doing.

I have already spoken to Diane (Nic put me in touch) whose horse like mine has always been barefoot and was diagnosed really young at 31/2.  She wasn't particularly pro barefoot but didn't agree with the vets suggestion of putting her still growing youngster in shoes!  So then sent her to Rockley after about 1.5 years of her being lame. She has since been sound, but does have to keep her in a lot of work approx., 10miles of hacking a week.  Which maybe a bit tricky.

So far, so good I guess.  The only fly in the ointment is I don't think SEIB will pay out from what I can see on Facebook Forums.  At £180 pw for 12 weeks.  Rockley is not to be sneezed at.

Eager has loss of use and from a financial perspective its quite an incentive to leave her as she is and make them pay out the LOU and then send her to Rockley.  But how can I do that?  I can't really afford to pay, but I do have access to the money.  I have to give her the best chance.

I go out on a limb

After trekking all the way to Newmarket, which seemed forever!  I cant believe I used to do this journey so frequently with Zulu.  Eager and Donna Blinman finally met.

She found an issue with her right knee. There was a small bone at the front of the knee not moving and also a bone at the back which had pushed the tendon to one side.  Thankfully all sorted, but she did think had caused slight heel imbalance on the right.  She could find nothing on the left leg (which is the one that has bad Navicular changes).

The sacroiliac was stuck and would not be allowing her to use her back end properly.  Putting all the weight into the forehand.  Now it is unstuck, so hopefully she will now be able to take her weight off her front feet.  She advised she would be sore for a few days.

The only comment Donna really made was about how small her feet were for her size. She was certainly moving a lot better after the bodywork.  But to be honest she only looked to be moving bad since she came back from the vet!  I am assuming this is the injections. She said she wouldn't really need to see her for another 6 months. 

We then took off home to be met by Antonio. After much conversation, he pretty much reiterated what I had been reading on the Rockley website.  Therefore, was fully prepared when he said we need to get the heel down and not up as the vet wanted!  So I had to make the decision much there and then.  To go with the vet or against. Now, had I not been reading medical research this week about this, maybe I would not be have been so quick to tell Antonio to do it.  His final words were you need to think of the long term.  So the heel came down.... Maybe the vet won't notice?

Her feet already looked much better from Geoff taking the toe off. 

Antonio's advise was to walk her out on the road each day, starting at 10 minutes and getting progressively longer each day.  This would keep the collateral ligament straight and strengthen it.  She definitely has a medial imbalance when she walks.  Landing at the moment toe first (which she didn't used to) but mainly inside of the foot first and then to the outside.

So I walked her out yesterday up the road in a dually halter with treats and she was a very good girl.  I have to say looking great. :-) 

Before Antonio had trimmed.  So just the toe off.  Wish I had a photo before.  I am ashamed to say pretty grim.

Interesting, because for me the left heel looks better than the right

After Antonio has trimmed down

All I need is a plan.

So. Into the pits and out the otherside.  I knew I would, feeling sorry for myself is not a therapy that really works for me.  Having a plan is! This tends to drive other people mad, they sometimes find it difficult to comprehend the speed with which I can go at and the fact I totally expect them to keep up.

But... It helps me and as this is my blog, so it goes at my speed (I have to say the blog writing is helping)  Anyway Eager has been fine in herself, but far lamer than she was a week ago! Due to large needles being stuck in her joints I guess.  After me stalking out to the stables a few times Thursday night to ensure she didn't have colic (tildren side effect) She has been her usual poppit self.

Rockley Farm, I have been following a for a long time on Facebook.  I'm not entirely sure how how it came on my radar.  I think from meeting Wiola at Hippikos a few years ago, I know she and Pauline had Kingsley there for a time.  Anyway, Nic Baker writes some very interesting articles.  What I didn't realise is that she is and specialises in Navicluar (let's call it's this) rehabilitation.  So, before Eager was even home on Thursday I had phoned her and left a message (I think not too hysterical).

The up shot of this is she phoned back on Friday, sent me an explanation sheet and we have exchanged a few emails and has given me the contact of a lady whose horse was there earlier in the year.  A mare also 5 who had never been shod.  I look forward to talking to her soon. She recommended I wait a couple of weeks to see how we go.  But after that and the vets agreement she is more than happy to take her for Rehab.  

With regards to Nic, I haven't been able to find (not that I've looked) a single deflammatory post about her.  It is so refreshing that with the blogs and her quick responses she obviously just wants to help horses.  It's not just about the making money. The vet report sheet is encouraging.  She has an 85% success rate. 85%! That's good enough odds for me and almost the reverse of conventional methods (from what I can gather) and not just field sound.  Back to hunting, jumping and eventing sound. 

So I wait like a cat on a hot tin roof for 2 weeks to see what happens. 

So Geoff farrier came on Friday night and took the toe off her feet.  (should have taken a picture before) he also said that she shouldn't have wedge shoes as her foot is upright enough and it would put her knee's out.  Also commented he was very surprised as she just didn't have Navicular feet....

I am off to Donna Blinman on Monday, having purchased two RX Therapy boots with thick pads to make her journey more comfy. I find it amazing this appointment was booked a few weeks ago when I had an inkling there was something not quite right.   But there was no rush. I left a message with Donna on weds and bless her, she emailed back Friday to say she had already requested the notes from my vet.  Lol that will please them! So it will be good to have her view and also to see if the imbalance is further up. (Which I am sure it is) 

Then I get home from there on Monday and Antonio is coming to look at her feet. 

She stayed in the box until yesterday (Saturday) and thankfully just sauntered out of the box yesterday evening.  Leading the boys to the back field, taking it as always in her stride.  She just trust me, I know she does. I won't let her down. 

Anyway, what about that for a plan!