Well, just an update As you may or may not remember, after my little darling dumped me while cooling out (You know, by now I should know that a total loose rein and lack of full attention is not the best attitude when riding outside of the covered arena....), besides my bumps, bruises and minor fracture (just a little chip, nothing to do about it), it was determined that he trashed his suspensory (rt. hind). How was that for a run-on sentence?
Anyway, I've been on hand walking duty since early October. A true adventure when outside of the arena (which is what the vet prefers, i.e., firm ground). We're up to 40 mins a day, twice a day on weekends, and will move up to 45 mins next week. He's had two follow ups with the vet (w/o a 2nd ultrasound), and while he's definitely improving, he's still not 100%. At last checkup, vet said I could - should I feel brave enough
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
- RIDE him at a walk. My response was, "Please give me a bottle of ACE, 'cause the one I have is 5+ years old." Well, she apparently thought I was joking and left while I was putting him back in his stall without leaving me any ACE.
The next night, I hand walked him, then on Thanksgiving day, got out the old bottle of ACE and gave him about 1.5 cc. He was fine, obviously a little drugged, since I had to push him a bit even though we were just walking. So over the next couple of days I reduced the amount of ACE, then got on him sans any drugs on Sunday.....and he was foot perfect, calm, walking out around the arena with no nervousness, and has behaved the same for every ride since. So, my question to anyone who's gone through this process is, has he just passed from excited from lack of exercise to boredom to grateful he's doing something, anything, even if it's just walking? Or is this a sign of some new maturity on his part (he's 11 now)*? I can't base my evaluation on experience with injuries with my prior horse, who was a saint I got on and rode in a halter when he hadn't been ridden for eight months after a "minor" fracture (fractured splint/hairline fracture of cannon, left hind).
*I also have added to his "equipment" an ear bonnet and ear plugs. I know they aren't legal for showing (though I've heard they are considering making them legal), and I suppose this MIGHT be (I hope) part of the reason for his level of calmness.
As to goals - well, if/when he comes sound, I hope to get him out there - striving for more relaxation - qualify for All Breeds at 2nd Level (since our last outings were not all that good due to tension and/or spooking) and MAYBE start working on changes.