Friday, December 21, 2007

Further tales of the Grey Mare

The Grey Mare has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in one of the bones of her foot. Her treatment was a steroid injection into the coffin joint in her foot to bring down the inflammation, plus an expensive joint food supplement for life. Being the sort of horse mother I am, I have also bought her some magnetic boots.

She has been sound now for around six weeks. She was sound when she went into the vet for her injection three weeks ago. My vet had warned me there were certain risks associated with this procedure, not least the nasty things that can happen if infection gets into the joint because of the injection. I closed my mind to this, and thought happy thoughts.

Fortunately, my Horse and Hound was delivered a day later than usual that week. I think the fates were being kind to me, because hours after the she'd been for the treatment I sat in the bath reading that week's veterinary article which just happened to be a very frightening rundown of what happens when such a procedure goes wrong.

Luckily, it didn't go wrong. Madam is now out in the field during the day and in the stable at night. Last weekend, I started riding her. We will have to walk for around a month to build up her muscles again. Today, we have been for a power walk around the adjoining two fields.

On Wednesday, we had the farrier and because the Hunt was in the area and liable to send her doolally, she only had a couple of hours in the field. Consequently, on Thursday she did go doolally when I turned her out: cantering, squeaking (you should hear her squeak) and bucking with excitement. No one, it seems, has told her that she has arthritis.

12 comments:

Nunhead Mum of One said...

Oh bless, I'm so pleased she's on the mend. It's a costly business, loving your animals so much isn't it? But somehow you tend to close your mind off to the cost because it's for your baby.

I love the idea of her magnetic boots. I had a dog when I was younger that needed to wear special "socks" if he were likely to get his feet wet - they cost more than he did!

I genuinely am so happy for you and your lovely gee gee, I can't stop smiling!

I'd like to wish you and the Grey Mare a very merry Christmas and a wonderful and healthy new year.

NMO xxx

mountainear said...

I'm thinking 'happy thoughts' for you and the Grey Mare too

occasional northerner said...

I'm glad your horse is making progress. Have a happy Christmas.

Zig said...

Happy Xmas M&M and GM - she looks relaxed enough! Fingers crossed she stays sound for many a long year to come.

Gill said...

Glad that she is on the mend and I'm sure that the magnetic boots will do some good, just don't put her in a shed with a roof of iron sheeting or you might find her walking upside down on the inside.

Mopsa said...

Happy Christmas Grey Mare

@themill said...

A fond mother....

dulwichmum said...

Poor lovely mare!

A happy Christmas and New Year to you both.

rilly super said...

M&M dear, if my children are ever unwell I'll send them to you first. Very best wishes and awfully glad you are back in the saddle on this blog as well

Catherine said...

If no-one tells her, she'll never know, and all the better for that. Glad you have an answer and a Very Happy Christmas to you both.

Jodie Robson said...

Happy Christmas to both of you - have some lovely walks over the holiday!

Mopsa said...

All best wishes for 2008.