If you have horses long enough, you get plenty of experience in various ailments, injuries, and freak accidents. Because, horses. For all their beauty, athleticism, and power, they can be rather fragile beasts.
So, Lance's diagnosis is COPD, a new experience to add to my file. Soaking hay and steroid injections have been added to our daily regimen. Long-term, we will be looking at the best drug and delivery options to maintain his health. We have a horse-sized inhaler mask, courtesy of a client who finally put his horse down after at least 20 years of managing his heaves. I am so thankful to have an equine veterinarian as a husband! It will be interesting to see how treatment and improved air movement change my horse's attitude and work ethic....
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| Too cute! Note short door and platform (with ramp) to look out his window! |
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| What a contrast to today's weather! |
Yesterday I went over to ride Larry again. He's at a beautiful facility where he is loved, cared for, and lightly ridden by one of the owners, so even if I had unlimited time, he doesn't have unlimited availability. That's okay; I
don't have unlimited time. Riding Larry once a week, twice at most, will probably fit into all schedules involved. It still gives me a very different dancing partner to adapt to and learn from, one
bred for the dressage ballroom – with a much bigger trot!
So, Lance's diagnosis is COPD, a new experience to add to my file. Soaking hay and steroid injections have been added to our daily regimen. Long-term, we will be looking at the best drug and delivery options to maintain his health. We have a horse-sized inhaler mask, courtesy of a client who finally put his horse down after at least 20 years of managing his heaves. I am so thankful to have an equine veterinarian as a husband! It will be interesting to see how treatment and improved air movement change my horse's attitude and work ethic....
6 comments:
Oh dear Michelle! Sounds like something that may be quite limiting for Lance. Larry is a looker but I do love the crown on the mini half door. We know who rules that barn!
So sorry to hear about the COPD Michelle. Can you ride him lightly?
Theresa and Mary, I've been told that COPD is manageable and Lance should be able to return to full work, but he will likely have to be on steroids for the rest of his life. Julie, who I take lessons from, had an event horse with it and continued competing, and one of Rick's clients lived for 20 years with it. We are still working on getting his immune system quieted down before we can figure out what he'll need for maintenance. Eventually I may have a very different Lance from the extreme energy-conserver I'm used to!
Theresa, isn't that mini the cutest? The facility is called Crown Park; all the stalls have crowns. ;-)
Oh...well it's nice to have some answers. I know that they can usually be managed so hopefully that will be the case with Lance. The barn that Larry lives at is beautiful!
COPD?! I continue to be amazed that animals can get so many of the same things that affect humans. My late mom's little dog had canine cognitive disorder, i.e., dog Alzheimer's.
I'm so sorry to hear this about Lance. First Russell's issues and now Lance's. It doesn't seem fair somehow :-( I do hope that you and Rick will be able to find a treatment that works for Lance and doesn't break the bank in the process. I also hope that Lance will be able to return to dancing form while breathing easy. Crossing my fingers :-)
On the positive side, I'm glad you're getting to ride LArry, the elder statesman. That seems a good age for a horse, and I'm guessing it's a real treat to ride him with all his dressage experience. Hang in, my friend.
Sorry to hear about Lance's condition although he's in the best place with all the love and care you give him and your husband being a equine vet! Good to read in the comments above that he can improve. X
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