The Not So Good News

I've been waiting for the vet to come and evaluate Nox before writing another post.  I haven't been doing anything new with Nox the past few weeks: I go out every evening and let him hang out in the indoor ring to roll and look out the window while I clean his stall, and then I groom him and take him out to graze for as long as possible.  Every once in while, I try to lunge him at the walk/trot, as was recommended at the last visit, but I cannot keep Nox to just stay at a walk/trot.  He always ends up getting too excited, running, bucking and generally misbehaving.  Since I don't want him to hurt himself, I just shut it all down and walk him in hand on the lead line.  Two weeks ago he went really ballistic and ran around like a complete crazy horse and it took me while to calm him down.

After a few cancellations and rescheduled appointments, Dr. Meg was finally able to come out to the barn on Friday.  I knew she wasn't going to clear him for full work - I could tell he was still off - but I was hoping there would be improvement.  I was sorely disappointed.  He is actually worse than he was at the March evaluation.  Dr. Meg was discouraged.  I explained about the lunge session attempts, and she figured he must have hurt the ligament with all his running around.  I feel terrible!  He just has too much pent up energy and excitement for me to be able to work with him and keep him calm while doing it.  

So... the pasture time I was hoping he would be allowed to have?  Nope.  The light work I was envisioning us starting?  No way.  He has 3-5 months of continued rest, this time without any work at all.  She wants me to try my best to just let him out for grooming and grazing, but no trotting and only very light walking.  Dr. Meg admired his muscled physique and healthy coat; again wondered how the heck he still has so much muscle after 9 months of rest; and assured me that I'm not a total failure - horses on stall rest are usually difficult to manage and set backs sometimes happen.  She is still confident that he can be 100% sound; it's just going to take a little longer.

Best Husband Ever and I just returned from the barn, where we gave Nox his first bath of the summer.  He stood and grazed while I soaped him up, rinsed him off, and conditioned his mane and tail.  He happily grazed in the sunshine and breeze until he was dry.  Now he looks very shiny and glossy!  He is a good boy.

Wait - take another one!  I think I blinked.

Hay there, good looking!

  

Meanwhile, Best Husband Ever and my cousin found other horses to ride...