the plan.

It's April. A lot has happened since my last post.

My dad is in the midst of chemotherapy. I am still walking around with steri-strips on my face. Rue is just getting back into work now.

The general gist of it is that, after lots of lameness diagnostics, the problem was narrowed down to Rue's SI joint and the surrounding musculature. Probably acute, but she likely also had some chronic pain there to begin with. We chose to do an ultrasound guided 4-way injection of the SI, followed by a long, slow rehab process.

This is basically what it consists of, including a few things that I am wholly skeptical about (and will address):

1. Lots of walking for fitness. Walking in the ring. Walking on the trails. Walking hills. Walking in the Pessoa rig. Walking over poles. Walking, walking, walking.

*Side note #1: A vet friend recommended the use of the Pessoa rig 1-2x a week. Walking only, for about 5-7 minutes on each side. I am generally skeptical of anything that forces a headset, but upon untangling the ropes and setting it up, it actually doesn't really force anything. The lines are on sliders, so as long as it's relatively loose, it truly does encourage the horse to reach underneath herself, rather than holding her head "in place." Only used it once so far, but I don't hate it yet.

2. A Back on Track sheet.  This, again, is something I'm totally not sold on. At ~$250, I should hope the damn thing works.  The idea is that the fabric is infused with ceramic fragments that trap body heat and warm the muscles/joints. I feel like it can't hurt, soooo.. bye moneys!

3. The addition of several important amino acids. This is for muscle building - another vet friend suggestion, just to add in over the next couple of months while we try to build Rue's back and hind end up. Lysine, threonine, and methionine. I opted to use the SmartMuscle Mass because it comes in pellets.. but Tri-Amino is a good source for this.

*Side note #2: I am not a supplement queen. In fact, I remember my advanced equine physio professor telling us that most supplements are "expensive piss fillers" and that has stuck with me for the long haul. If a horse is on a good, balanced feeding program, they really shouldn't need any supplementation.  That said, there are a handful that I subscribe to that are research-backed. One is probiotics. Those work.. period.  Indisputably.  Another is Cosequin ASU (which incidentally doesn't do much for less-mobile joints, like the SI). Not regular Cosequin.. not ASU plus.. just the plain old ASU.  ASU is the magic thing here; it seems to be the only real thing that has a significant effect in supporting cartilage production. The ASU plus has hyaluronic acid, which has nooooo evidence anywhere of being effective (in any species) when taken orally. /endrant

4. A schedule of chiropractic and acupuncture work.  On a personal note, I've never done acupuncture, but I have been to chiropractors my whole life and nothing has EVER stuck.  I didn't start feeling relief until I began going for massage therapy. My current massage therapist does trigger point massage and it is the best thing ever. I feel amazing every time I go. That said, I was hugely skeptical that chiropractics or acupuncture would have any effect on Rue. However, another vet recommendation and, what the hell do I have to lose? A vet who specializes in chiro/acupuncture came to work on the little bay mare. Rue was initially VERY muscle sore and is always kind of hypersensitive to touch.  But at the end of her appointment and since then, she seems to be significantly less painful upon palpation. She's also let me groom her without complaint, which is a first. We. Shall. See. A follow-up appointment is scheduled a month from now.

The scientist in me is frazzled that we have changed so many variables because that makes it so hard to see what is truly effective and what is just anecdotal crap. That said, I guess when it comes to maintenance, it doesn't really matter, unless you want to save money (which, let's face it, I've given up on a long time ago because.. horses).

I am okay with this plan. I'm more than okay with the timeframe (ie: however long it takes). If we don't show until the fall, that's fine.  If we don't get to any shows this year, so be it. We've got nothin' but time.

So far, so good on the plan.  Bay mare had her first training ride back today and "she was awesome!" as per Sarah <3

Lesson tomorrow. Fingers crossed for more awesomeness.

<3 A