Boy do I know my horse!

Well I was right. America was definitely sticking in his SI joint which is why he was so uncomfortable. The vet said I need to try to get him adjusted chiropractically every six weeks or so. Honestly, I don't know if I can afford that, but I will try to get it as close to that as possible. He also said that if I don't see improvement at every six weeks I might need to get him done every 3-4 for a while. HOLY $$$$....but if it will make him more comfortable, i'll do what I have to do.

So here is what was happening:

His right side gets stuck down and forward, while his left side compensates by being left up and back.

Along with that, he was out in a couple of other places. After getting these places adjusted he was just licking and chewing and licking and chewing so it must have felt good.

I am really glad I got his saddle fitted to him. Hopefully, with the adjustments and good saddle fitting, he will be much more comfortable. Now I need to get myself adjust so I don't mess him up! Does someone want to send me a money tree??? I could use one!

A bit of an upsetting part though. The vet wants to test him for Cushings. He is concerned because of the mass of fur he still has and how much he grows. I guess it is more of a precaution, as he doesn't show many other signs. He is a massive sweater though. So lots of good jingles that he is just a super hairy beasty and doesn't have Cushings!

 

He is such a ham...

Vet day / Chiro day

After our last lesson, I  had decided that America was off. I scheduled a vet appointment for this afternoon. I have actually given him probably close to three weeks off of work to just relax. I didn't want to push it and take the chance of injuring him. Since he was off not only in canter (mostly in the canter) but a little in the trot too, it just wasn't worth it to me. I upped  his MSM as well to try and help if there is any inflammation. Which I am pretty sure there is some on the right side of his SI joint.

Well the vet is also a chiropractor. So I am going to see what he can do in that field. I am also going to ask if there is something I need to think into the future about. Whether he needs something extra to prevent him from being uncomfortable. So we shall see!

I was away all last week and finally saw Mr. Derpus yesterday. I missed him so much. I was ridiculous! I am ready for him to feel 100% again though. I also realized that the farrier had scheduled him almost 8 weeks from his last shoeing. No way Jose! Not again. He is overdue! Long and his heels are running under. It's crazy how much happens in the week you are gone!!!

Anyways, here's a Derp, begging from one of his favorite Aunties.

Fingers Crossed!

May Update

Ok first and foremost, bask in his adorableness!

Now that that's over. I haven't blogged in a while about Mr. Derp. (I feel like every post starts with that). I have been so swamped with school. OMG! But I am now one small assignment away from being DONE WITH MY COLLEGE CAREER! Holy crap batman!

So as for Derp. We didn't do much this winter. I started riding a bit more in the Spring but still nothing substantial. We were going to go to a fun show.....just for fun... in late April. But the lesson the day before he told me quite loudly that he was not feeling well. He actually bucked with me. See the thing with Mr. Derpypoo is he doesn't buck. He just doesn't do it. When he doesn't like something he goes into giraffe mode and opens his mouth. He'll speed up or get all choppy and flail his legs around everywhere. That's how he shows me he doesn't like something. So when he bucked, which was a pathetic buck at that, I knew something was up. I had noticed earlier that he was fine at the trot to the right but totally discombobulated to the left. Which is strange because on a normal basis we are the opposite. So we got to poking and prodding him and watching his movement and he is definitely out in his SI. This is the second time. I am concerned that I am going to have to think further ahead and think about possibly having to think medication or injection. Or if he just needs chiro work more often. We've got an appointment on the 13th with the vet who also does Chiro work. Fingers crossed it's that's simple.

But on another note, he's looking amazing. You can kind of see his dapples in that picture above but here's a better one. You can also see how he stands when he's uncomfortable.

So he looks amazing. Just need to get those insides fixed. He is also amazingly soft!!!!! So one foot in front of the other! We hope to do a few small fun shows soon.

Happy Riding everyone!