<NancyD.LMT@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:08177646-eb66-4c50-be5c-c831173b562c@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Another month has passed, and it's time for a Louise update. Today
> marks 5 months since
> she opened up that hairline and scared the crap out of us.
blimey -- so long ago yet such a fresh memory
>
> At the beginning of the month, I tried to wean her from the last of
> the dexamethasone, and it was too soon. When I dropped back to every
> other day, she got clumsier and less confident. Maybe it was
> coincidence. Maybe she chose that day to tweak her neck. I dunno. I
> went back to a daily dose and increased it a teeny bit, and she
> returned to her normal level of clumsiness within a few days. Since
> then I've been backing off a little at a time, and now her does is so
> small (.4mg), I can't imagine it's doing a whole lot.
>
even homeopathic [sorry could not resist, and I know its not how either
work
;)]
> This month, she seems to have turned another corner. I had assumed
> the mild rear weakness and slight over-all clumsiness were permanent,
> but they have been slowly fading, and she has been getting stronger
> and stronger behind. For the last couple weeks, she has looked better
> every day. Her range of motion (neck) to the right was a good 80% of
> normal - just a bit of hesitation, and not quite able to reach her
> barrel. Over the last week, it has returned to 100%. She can easily
> scratch her barrel with her teeth in both directions without
> hesitating, twisting her head, or getting a painful look in her eye.
Astoni****ngly good news.
>
> She gallops like an absolute fool through the woods, effortlessly
> swapping leads as she weaves along the little paths. She rears, she
> jumps, she bucks. She no longer holds her neck rigidly while she
> plays, instead flinging it around with the carefree abandon of a young
> horse who has never known injury or pain. Horses really do live in
> the present. :)
I am sure that your woods (and Jinks) have helped her, few other places
would have given her such wide ranging physiotherapy in as natural a way
as
possible.
>
> On the down side, her manners are deplorable. I had planned to wait
> 'til the 6-month mark to begin to resurrect a shred of respect. But
> as she feels better, she pushes Jinks around shamelessly, and she has
> begun to challenge me in subtle ways. Neck or no neck, she's too big
> to be playing the "Who's in charge?" game.
ayup
>
> So, today, I put a halter on her, clipped on a longe line and asked
> her to walk. She did. I asked her to halt. She did. Then I asked
> her to walk again, and she swung her rump toward me and started to
> back up.
ooh bad girlie
>
> There was a moment where I mentally made excuses for her - maybe she
> has an itch. :) Then I heard this roar coming out of my throat, and I
> found myself swatting her fanny with the longe line and *running* at
> her. She caved instantly - a good thing, since I really don't want to
> get into a situation where I have to torque her neck. So, it appears
> daily manners sessions are upon us. And as long as Louise doesn't
> self-destruct, I'll start doing a few minutes with Jinks as well.
sounds very wise.
We can trust you will create a strong repertoire of jobs for her that will
get her mind working and improve the compliance without aggravating the
healing.
She could not have done so well without someone so sensitive to the
nuances
of all that was happening in each moment.
You really have done an amazing job.
>
> All in all, this has been a very good month. I have graduated from
> encouraged to optimistic. :)
We will all be happy to join you.
--
--
regards
Jill Bowis
Domestic Poultry and Waterfowl Solutions
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine Nursery
Seasonal Farm Food
http://www.kintaline.co.uk
|
