Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I need some advice on managing a 28 year old 1200 lb. App who has
recently bowed both front tendons. This is the horse I did my first 50 on
and sold when he was 19. The current owners have done a wonderful job
with him and he lives in horse heaven but unless we can get him
comfortable he may need to be put down. 

Apparently Tonka was going strong until about 4 months ago. From what I
can tell it sounds as if he may have bowed his tendon in the field then
stood on the good leg so much that he bowed that one too. They had the
vet out who simply told them both tendons were strained and gave her bute
to give him. He's been getting one gram bute twice a day for quite a
while. They called me and I went to have a look at him. I was amazed at
how good he looks. The old fellow has kept his figure and his feet look
great. I really bragged on him and they seemed relieved I approved. They
really are fond of him. (he's got tons of personality) 

This was the first time I'd gotten to go right up to him in 10 years. I'd
driven by to check on him but hadn't dared stop for fear the people would
want to give him back to me! >g< That was their intent when they called
me this time since they didn't feel they were helping him any and I had
the rule that if he went anywhere it had to be back to me. However, their
place is horse heaven...mowed level field with a big open barn with deep
bedding, a 22 year old buddy and a fan he stands in front of all summer.
My place is *endurance* horse "heaven"...steep rocky field they have to
go up and down all day. Poor Tonka wouldn't be able to go 20' from the
barn here.

So...now we're trying to figure out what we can do between us to try and
give an alert 28 year old who is holding his weight well a chance to
enjoy life a little longer.  The right fore seems to be the worst tendon.
It's big, bowed, and got a knot in the middle. The left is just big
(thick) all over. No heat in either. He is shifting his weight constantly
and in obvious discomfort but better when the bute kicks in. 

These people are very well off but do everything themselves and I'm
amazed they've done all they've done...meaning cleaning a stall, giving
paste bute twice a day, etc. I can't really picture them doing leg wraps
(Tonka's the type to remove them)  but I did have two Sports Medicine
boots in my barn so I took them up yesterday and put them on. When I put
them on I could picture them helping. Those things are like casts and I
pulled them up pretty snug. (I'm driving over there this morning to make
sure not too snug). Have any of you used them on a horse round the clock?
Rubbing problems? He has a sore on his knee from laying down even though
his stall was well bedded. They'd only been able to get paste bute into
him and it's expensive so I'm taking her a couple of my electrolyte
syringes and showing her how to use a coffee grinder to run bute pills
through. (Question on the side...I've recently realized I'm grinding my
bute in the same coffeegrinder as the tums for my electrolytes....I wipe
it out with a paper towel but is their any chance residue would make him
test positive...do I need two grinders?)

Any suggestions about how long or whether a 28 year old horse's tendons
will heal well enough to make him comfortable? If he wasn't going to get
better than he is now we need to make the decision to put him down but it
seems his quality of life was high before this happened and if he'll heal
enough not to be in pain they'll keep trying. I want to help all I can
while he's at their place rather than bring him here. He can't exist on
this rock hill.

Angie

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming --WOW-- what
a ride !! "


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Of course things aren't perfect,  perfect doesn't exist on this earth.
Doesn't mean we won't go on trying to get better at what we do. Besides, if
everything was perfect today, what would you do tomorrow? Slamming each
other doesn't get anything done.
~  Dot Wiggins

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