Great news:
Yesterday Annette from APG equine came to 'Buttercup Farm'. Annette is a Chiropractor and has been introduced to us by 'Lilian' some time ago.
As mentioned in earlier posts, I have always been concerned about 'Mr F's hind legs as he was not moving right and doing tight turns was nigh on impossible.
Last June or July, before I began riding 'Mr F', I had a local equine Chiropractor come and see him. He pointed out the exact same issues as Annette and his treatment did help a little but I was still not happy.
Despite massages, exercising and feed adjustments, is behind remained stiff and movements were everything but smooth look at.
Talking to Annette, she too (just like the very first Chiropractor) said that 'Mr F's back was 'dead' ... there was no 'contact' between front and back, resulting in him compensating by using some muscles too much and others too little. Which would explain why he is sore on his shoulders as he is 'dragging' himself along rather than pushing from behind. I guess he was front wheel drive when he should be rear wheel drive ...
After Annette did her work, we walked him up and down the lane, and what a change it was! All off a sudden 'Mr F' was strutting his stuff!
He rear was now loosely swinging with each step and his tail was swaying happily along with the rythm. It was a joy to watch and he had such a relieved expression on his face!
And he could do tight turns! No longer did he fall over his hind legs trying to turn but is actually able to do tiny steps.
I am curious to observe whether it will be easier for him to pass urine, now that he can move his back properly.
We also discussed saddles, the one I was using is too tight, ('Lillian's dad's old English saddle) so that will be the next investment together with a set of hoof boots.
I am most grateful for the work Annette has done!
Other good news:
The mud fever / hard skin / fungal infection (possibly a combination of it all) has now 90% disappeared. I finally got hold of some the close-contact turnout chaps which worked quite well although mud does accumulate under them and frankly, they had to be washed every day. The bandages returned much better results but at the considerable cost of time and resources. Luckily, with all the warmth and sunshine lately, most of the mud has dried out.
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Other 'Buttercup Farm' residents
I made a padded box for the 'Buttercup Farm beast' - here she is in her warm and cosy night quarters.
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