Uno's knee - Part II

Well, it's been a few days and we're settling into a bit of a routine. I've moved Uno and Rose into one of the yards, decked out with shade cloth and a water trough:

 At this point in the 'fracture timeline', we are already a quarter of the way through the healing process and that is both heartening and worrying. Uno is still sore and, while he does put weight on the leg, it is obvious it's still causing him some trouble. Also of concern is the deviation from the knee down now quite severe in both legs. However, with a little trimming of the outside hoof wall once a week, we're already seeing a little improvement:

Interestingly, the uninjured leg is probably the most severely deviated (ie the one on the right):

 This is due to the increased weight-bearing it has had to undertake and hopefully can be corrected in time, too. After speaking with Ian Neilson, we're going to stick to the conservative trimming plan, rather than going down the corrective shoeing route too early. I am a big believer in doing a little bit often and allowing the results to come over time. Ian thought this was the best approach for those knock-knees at this point. I'm happy - no big bucks on special 'Babi-cuff' corrective glue-on shoes!

Speaking of big bucks, I lashed out on a Jenkins 'Wound Bank' phototonic light on the weekend and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival in the mail so I can start treating Uno's knees (and everything else that will hold still long enough at Dragonwood). I think the light will help stimulate the growth plates on the outside of the joints and that will help even up his legs that bit more. It certainly can't hurt and I have read a lot of good things about the use of the lights in these cases.

I'm feeding Rose Breeda, some slippery elm to help her gut during the confinement, some lucerne for calcium and something different to eat, and they have a mineral block in the yard. I'm trying to find time to cut some fresh grass for them to munch. Uno is already cribbing Rose's food and hay!

To be honest, this has been a really difficult week. A lot of emotions and disappointment are working their way out. The vet was quite upfront about Uno's chances - 40/60 on the negative side. Even if he comes through the healing process without contracting a major infection or blowing the fracture apart, he has only a slim chance of ever being the eventer he was bred to be. It's hard to be hopeful, but we're going to give him every chance. He's just so damn easy to love.

Getting into Mum's food.

Hey! Whatcha doin? And why aren't you scratching me???