Need some MAJOR Jingles!!! July 7th UPDATE!

[Kiwayu]

I had the vet come out today intending to inject Kiwayu's hocks because they just looked like crap!!! My vet asked to see him go prior to getting ready to inject, since I had been complaining how horrible he looked behind. Did flexions, and a neuro test. Passed the neuro part (thank goodness!), but completely FAILED his flexions like a few weeks prior. :sigh: Legend is obviously NOT working. They used a needle cap and tested all his "points", and failed almost all of them. Kiwayu's back is so sensitive to the touch-obviously that hurts too! We pulled another Lyme test to see what his titer is. (Third one in 3 months!) We came to the conclusion that since the doxy didn't work, and he obviously still has the Lyme REALLY badly, that we were putting him on the IV Tetracycline. That was started today. I ordered the Ledum, as per my vet, and he will also start that tomorrow once that comes in the mail. I second day shipped it. If these treatments don't work, my vet doesn't know what to do. I really need some jingles so that maybe I can finally get Kiwayu back to his normal, happy self. I'm just besides myself between my horse being sick, my mom having cancer, and me having no luck find a teaching job for September. :cry:

[Gunnar]

I am sending big CA sized jingles. You have your own black cloud, just like me! Sorry and I hope things get better soon!:sadsmile:

[monstrpony]

Yup, you need jingles, and you got 'em!!

Wish I could offer more, it sounds like you're shouldering quite a load these days. Hope things turn around for you soon; it would sure be nice to get to the bottom of your horse's issues, at least!

[Cherry]

Kiwayu, you've really been through the mill kiddo.... :( I'm sending you both cyberhugs and jingles!!!! ;)

[Posting Trot]

Great good luck.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Me too - and as many a syou need. So hoping things turn around for you and FAST.

[Sandbarhorse]

Sorry to hear about this, Kristen! :( Tons of jingles for you and Kiwi.

I'm sure you've probably done this already (I think you've done everything), but have you considered a chiropractor? If his back is that sore, maybe the back is causing the hock problems and not the opposite.

If you're interested, I'm going to be calling my super-chiro for Shadow in the next week or so and can let you know. Maybe you can schedule while he's out this way?

[chawley]

Said a pray already!

[Holly'er Than Thou]

Great big jingles from Virginia for you and your sweet boy.

[Laurierace]

Jingles from the whole barn here. I know you can get him through this!

[Kim]

Sending major jingles and hugs to you, Kiwayu! You seem to have been thrown some major curveballs...why does that always happen to the nice people who love and care for their horses?? :(

[CBoylen]

So sorry :(.
IV tetracycline is a scary PITA.
Do you have someone who does acupuncture in your area? You may be able to make him feel better until the treatment can kick in full force.

[Kiwayu]

Sandbarhorse- I don't think a Chiro will do anything for Kiwi at the moment. It's obvious that everything hurts. You can't even pick his feet without him freaking out about holding his leg up. His moral is even in the dumps! I can't wait until I see what the newest Lyme titer looks like.

For those of you that have used IV Tetra, how long did it take to see results? I'm hoping I actually see some sort of improvement. :( I didn't see anything when he was on the doxy. :no: My vet also goes on vacation in 8 days so now I have to figure out who's going to give him the Tetra while she's away. :sigh:

I swear, when it rains, it POURS!!! :cry: :(

[Kiwayu]

CBoylen- Why do you say it's scary???? :confused: My vet has been doing accupunture and light therapy.

[lunatic fringe]

for both you and Kiwayu!!! Fight, fight fight! Win Win Win!!!:yes: ;)

[CBoylen]

CBoylen- Why do you say it's scary???? :confused: .
Because it has to be given so slowly and has a reputation for causing reactions. I don't know what the dosage is for lymes, but we did 35cc a day for a skin infection in a horse this spring, and even my usually laid-back vet asked a few times if we'd rather she came out and did it instead of handling it ourselves. Perhaps you're braver than me, but large IV shots that need to be given that carefully and continued over an extended period of time make me nervous :o .

[Sobriska]

jingling like mad for you.

[cosmos mom]

Sandbarhorse- I don't think a Chiro will do anything for Kiwi at the moment. It's obvious that everything hurts. You can't even pick his feet without him freaking out about holding his leg up. His moral is even in the dumps! I can't wait until I see what the newest Lyme titer looks like.

For those of you that have used IV Tetra, how long did it take to see results? I'm hoping I actually see some sort of improvement. :( I didn't see anything when he was on the doxy. :no: My vet also goes on vacation in 8 days so now I have to figure out who's going to give him the Tetra while she's away. :sigh:
I swear, when it rains, it POURS!!! :cry: :(

I gave it for 10 days. No reactions- Having worked in a vet clinic for years I can tell you that many meds must be given slowly IV. I would suggest getting a slinky hood for him. It will keep the catheter covered so that you don't have to worry about him rubbing it out (I was very worried about this, but he left it alone, and apparently, most of them do) be prepared to hand walk him or give him supervised turnout for the time the catheter is in- I turned out cosmo in a dry lot and chased him with a longe whip if he tried to lay down and roll- mostly he was happy to be out, so he just ate. We saw some Improvement within 3 days and marked improvement in about 5-6 days. After all is said and done, Then I would consider IM Adequan and IV Legend to assist him in getting over 'the achys" which don't go away all at once, even if the horse is responding to treatment. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes!

[mbj]

Jingles for you and your horse.

[Kiwayu]

CBoylen- I'm paying my vet to come out every day to give him the IV Tetra.

Is it possible of giving the Tetra in a large syringe, like you were to give an IV Legen injection? I'm just curious.

[Lookout]

I suggest you get a consultation from a homeopath. His case is very involved, with a very full symptom picture, all of which need to be taken into account for an accurate homeopathic remedy prescription.

[Kiwayu]

Lookout- I'm going to call a Homeopath vet that Cherry gave me tomorrow. If this IV Tetra doesn't work, or I can't find anyone to help me, I'm taking Kiwayu to either New Bolton or Cornell!!

[OakesBrae]

*jingling for kiwayu* he's got such a sweet face.

[sid]

Lyme's just plain sucks...and it's come into our horse world with a vengance.

Hang in there...hopefully the Tetra IV will finally do the trick.

[Boston Chicken]

So sorry to hear this. My gelding had the IV Tet daily (vet also came daily to do it), but it didn't work for him unfortunately. Neither did the doxy. What did finally work for him was some other oral antibiotic that I cannot for the life of me remember :confused: I will have to look it up because I know I have mentioned it here before. Most horses at my barn responded very well to the IV Tet, so hoping it works for Kiwi.

I will look up the other name. Editing - I looked it up and it was teramycin (or similar - I may not be spelling this correctly). This is what finally kicked his Lyme.

[CBoylen]

Is it possible of giving the Tetra in a large syringe, like you were to give an IV Legen injection? I'm just curious.
We just gave it like you would do any IV injection, no catheter, very large syringe; I think a 60cc, but I really don't remember. I made my trainer give it and did the holding instead ;).

[Ghazzu]

So sorry to hear this. My gelding had the IV Tet daily (vet also came daily to do it), but it didn't work for him unfortunately. Neither did the doxy. What did finally work for him was some other oral antibiotic that I cannot for the life of me remember :confused: I will have to look it up because I know I have mentioned it here before. Most horses at my barn responded very well to the IV Tet, so hoping it works for Kiwi.

I will look up the other name. Editing - I looked it up and it was teramycin (or similar - I may not be spelling this correctly). This is what finally kicked his Lyme.

Terramycin is oxytetracycline.

[Percheron X]

Jingles for you and Kiwi. :)

[LoriO]

sending mega jingles from Connecticut!~

[BornToRide]

Sending best wishes!!

[Kind_Nepenthe]

Aw, sorry to hear. Sending jingles your way! :(

[BasqueMom]

Texas size jingles!

[Appassionato]

You have been through it with Kiwayu and Lyme's, I'm jingling like all heck for you!

[Boston Chicken]

Terramycin is oxytetracycline.

Thanks.

[Kiwayu]

Ohh man. This is really bothering me. I didn't sleep at all last night. I'm so sick with worry about Kiwi, not to mention, I can't stop crying. I'd be the happiest person alive if he would just get better. :sadsmile:

If any of you guys have suggestions please, I beg of you, post them here!! :yes:

[Auventera Two]

You can fight it!!! Don't give up!!!! Sending major jingles from my part of the country. Get better soon boy! :sadsmile: :)

[EqTrainer]

Kiwayu - since you are asking the question, I am going to tell you what I really think...

I think that it is likely that there is something else wrong with your horse. A rule of thumb for me is, if I am doing something and it is not working DO SOMETHING ELSE. Your horse has been going thru this for.. how long now? With only a day or two of soundness? Something else is up IMO. It may be in conjunction w/the Lymes but like all things, Lyme is opportunistic and clearly something is over-riding your horses ability to help heal himself.

There are a few things I would do at this point. I would xray his feet. Chronic and/or low grade laminitis can cause so much of what you describe. I would take him all commercial feeds in case this is a systemic allergic reaction to something undefinable. I would contact Uckele and tell them what is going on/what has been going on and ask them to recommend a good supplement program. I would discuss with them/highly consider putting him on a fairly high dose of selenium/E, because a long term deficiency could actually be causing the majority of his symptoms. I would turn him out 24/7 if he is not already, and with friends, regardless of how debilitated he seems. I would have him chiro'd and put him on a regular schedule. I would handwalk him for 15 - 20 minutes twice a day. I would - ok, now I sound like a freak - project only good and positive thoughts at him.

Now here is the really tough part. I would consult w/ a new vet, probably Cornell if you can, because they are the experts on Lyme. It's not that I think your vet is bad, or even necessarily not doing what he/she should be.. it's just that - again, what you are doing is NOT working. You need fresh input. The more holistic the vet, the more info you are going to get. The fact that your vet was willing to inject Kiwayu's hocks, in the condition he is in, really alarmed me. Mostly because I think he/she is grasping at straws and if that is the straw he/she grabbed, it is a bit scary. It tells me that it is likely that he/she has come to the end of his/her knowledge to help your horse.

I have a horse here who has been thru the ringer like your poor guy has and I am predicting at least another year before he is 100%. But I see continual, slow progress and so I can be sure we are on the right path - or at least the best path for now. Please know that I am jingling for Kiwayu and have "spoken" what I have in hopes that he may be helped, there is no malice or hurtfulness intended. I have been there!

[Quinn]

kiwayu, first of all I am so sorry for your troubles. Sending good thoughts and huge Canadian jingles. Second of all, I concur completely with EqTrainer. There appears to be something else going on that needs to be diagnosed. Hang in there and keep pushing for answers. You will get there.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[Sandbarhorse]

Lookout- I'm going to call a Homeopath vet that Cherry gave me tomorrow. If this IV Tetra doesn't work, or I can't find anyone to help me, I'm taking Kiwayu to either New Bolton or Cornell!!

Poor, Kiwi.:( Is the homeopath vet Dr. Gil, by any chance? If so, that's the chiro. I use. :) If it's not and you can't reach that one, I'd highly recommend him also. You absolutely cannot go wrong with taking Kiwi to a hospital either! I took Shadow to Cornell two years ago and they were fantastic to deal with and super competent. I've never gone to New Bolton, even though it's closer, but have only heard good things about them as well.

Good luck with whoever you have treating him! Let me know if you need any numbers. Call me on my cell though (I think you still have it?) as I won't be on the computer for a few days.

[Kiwayu]

Eqtrainer- Thanks for your input! I appreciate it. :yes: I agree with you on the "if it ain't working, try something else". That's why I'm trying the IV Tetra. When he was first diagnosed with Lyme last September, he responded wonderfully to the oral doxy. He was only on that for 45 days. I wanted longer but since he responded so well and quickly, my vet didn't think it was necessary. He was sound from the time the doxy finished (and moving the best I've ever seen), to about the end of February/beginning of March. That's when I noticed his attitude was changing, he was getting stiffer and all the symptoms were coming back. I had the vet come out to pull blood, and the blood came back positive once again. We both knew it would. Treat with doxy again, but this time it didn't work. We thought that if we'd treat his immune system, that might be better so that he can fight it himself. That's basically where we are in a nut shell, except now we're back to treating the Lyme again a different way since treating his immune system didn't work. He's turned out 24/7 already with access to his stall. I've tried contacting Cornell over the phone, even with Dr. Divers (Lyme Specialist) personally! No one there calls me back. :mad: My vet wanted to inject his hocks because from what I was describing over the phone she thought only his hocks were bothering him. Not until she did flexions all over did she realize that EVERYTHING hurts. We even tested his back and that hurts.

Sandbarhorse-The homeopath vet isn't Dr. Gil. Can you give me his number? I don't have your cell number anymore either. I really want to take Kiwi to Cornell, but it's at least 8 hours away. Cornell has the Lyme specialist there. I guess I need to talk to a homeopath vet and give the IV tetra a chance to work and then go from there. :sigh:

[Sandbarhorse]

Sandbarhorse-The homeopath vet isn't Dr. Gil. Can you give me his number? I don't have your cell number anymore either. I really want to take Kiwi to Cornell, but it's at least 8 hours away. Cornell has the Lyme specialist there. I guess I need to talk to a homeopath vet and give the IV tetra a chance to work and then go from there. :sigh:

Sure, his number is 516-997-3632. He's really awesome! Cornell was less than 8 hours when I trailered up there, but I don't remember exactly. I want to say more like 5-6 hours. They will let you leave your trailer there too, if you're leaving the horse and going home, so you don't have to tow it 4 times. I can't remember, do you have your own trailer?

[Kiwayu]

Thanks Sandbarhorse. I'm going to give Dr. Gil a call and ask about homeopathy. Can you email me your cell phone number if I have any questions about this vet? I would greatly appreciate it. When is this vet coming out for you?

[Boston Chicken]

Kiwayu - you obviosly love your horse dearly and would do (and have!) anything for him. I totally agree with EqTrainer here. Perhaps hauling him to a hospital will be the best thing for him. Either way, hope you and he finally get some well-deserved good news.

[Sandbarhorse]

Check your e-mail.:)

[Phaxxton]

Kiwayu, I'm soooooooo sorry to hear all this and wish your horse a speedy recovery!! I'm jingling like crazy for him.

I also have to say that I agree with EqTrainer totally. I think there is somtehing else going on.

Also, if I remember correctly, New Bolton is much closer than Cornell, so if you cannot haul all the way to Cornell, then they are a good alternative.

[colliemom]

Jingles to you, and I'm going to keep looking for updates! I am in the midst of a similar (though MUCH less lengthy and arduous!) situation. My TB mare has been not quite right for about a month, very minor hind end lameness (the kind you can feel but not see). Had a lameness check done a week ago last Monday which pointed to left hock. Radiographs of both hocks looked really really good for a 14 year old prelim eventer, but some very minor lessening of the space on the left prompted us to go ahead and inject the one hock. This was done (HA) on last Friday.

At the same time, however, I asked that blood be pulled for a Lyme test, since our other horse was just treated for a high positive last month, and I was feeling that she was overall body sore. She felt like she had aged over night, didn't want to step out or push, had a bit of a depressed attitude, and some other sort of bizarre attitude changes (for instance, she used to stand rock steady for a warm hosing, but now she acts like she's being attacked by fire ants -- stomping and biting at her self until all the water is scraped off of her.)

On Tuesday night I got on her for the first time since the injection (she was in for two days, then turned out in a grassy round pen for two days). I was on her for MAYBE 15 minutes, and felt that the left side issue was gone, but the body stiffness was still there, and as I worked her (walk trot and a bit of canter, nothing terribly strenous -- this horse is competition fit) I noticed she was sweating much more than normal (it was hot, but not bad at 8:00 p.m. and there was a nice breeze -- no other horses being worked had broken a sweat at all) so I decided to quit and just walk her out. She felt very stiff and sort of strange, so I headed to the barn. I stopped to chat with my trainer on the way, and we both noticed that she was trembling. Long story short, she was tying up.

We did the fluids, banamine, and roboxine treatment that night and again the next morning, and drew blood. In the meantime, the lyme titer came back high positive. So we are treating with the IV Tetracycline (we do it ourselves via a catheter, VERY slowly, and also use the slinky!). We are also starting her on a higher level of Vitamin E although her previous blood work was fine for her levels, as well as probiotics for the tummy and electrolytes to keep the fluid intake up.

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm curious to hear if anyone has seen any kind of correlation between Lyme Disease and tying up (although I know that Lyme can be the root cause for a LOT of odd things that seemingly have no cause)? This mare had a mild episode last November (first time in the 7 years I've had and competed her) that we attributed mostly to a combination of unusual heat, a very strong estrus cycle, and a slight backing off of her normal work routine over three weeks (from 6 days a week to 4-5 days a week). It could be, though, that the Lyme was already bubbling.

Kiwayu, I'm pulling for you and your sweet horse! Our gelding responded very well to the IV Tetracycline last month is is back to his normal self.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Jingling for all of you!!!

We have ticks, even though Ted appears clean, after I pulled a tick out of his ear a month ago I couldn't stop worrying. I really don't know how common it is in my area.

[Kiwayu]

DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"- Where do you live? I think Lyme is starting to spread all over. It's REALLY common here. My friend that hangs out with Kiwayu and I at the barn, just came down with the bullseye rash and is so sick she can't get out of bed. Her and Kiwayu are now on antibiotics.

[MsM]

Have you thought about going to Fairfield Equine? They have sorted through a number of complex lameness issues from our barn, including at least one that stumped Tufts. I dont know about their expertise in the area of Lyme disease in particular but I was very impressed with the care and service my horse received.

[sblake]

Praying for you, your mom, and your horse!
Susan

[Kiwayu]

Thanks for all your help guys! :yes: Knock on wood, but Kiwayu seems more fluid moving and friendlier today. KNOCK ON WOOD AGAIN!!!!

Please keep the good thoughts coming!!! :)

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

jingling still!!

[Skip's Rider]

Jingling for you and your horse and keeping my fingers crossed that the IV tetracycline works. Hang in there!

[Kiwayu]

Monday UPDATE:

Today was day #6 on the IV Tetra. Kiwayu has been looking brighter, and much happier, even moving around in the paddock much better. Took him out for a walk and he was a lunatic!!!! :eek: :D He took off while grazing, got away from me, and went galloping back to his paddock. :rolleyes: When I finally got back to the paddock, I noticed he cut his right hind leg pretty good on his fetlock (Didn't need the vet-phew!). I attempted to wrap it with vetwrap and boo boo cream, he just kept kicking out at me. I grabed the BO to hold up one of his front feet so that I wouldn't get kicked while I wraped it. Took about 3-5 minutes, then the BO put his front leg down. Kiwayu couldn't put weight on it after being held up for so long. Just like how he fails his flexion tests, except it wasn't held as tight/high as a flexion test. After a few minutes he slowly started to put weight on it and walked around the paddock. It must of still bothered him, because he tripped on that front leg. Then he was fine and I found him bucking/rearing in the paddock about 10 minutes later.

Please keep the good thoughts because I need to get rid of this joint pain!!! :sigh:

[Kiwayu]

Got the blood work back this morning. Vet at the hospital said Kiwayu has been bit again by another tick. They found a new band of the Lyme bacteria in his blood sample. So technically, this is the 3rd time of re-infection!! :eek: :no: His elisa did go down a little it's now 1:860, instead of 1:1280. Who ever makes those spot on repellents for ticks should study Kiwayu because there is something about him the ticks love. He's a Tick Magnet!!! :mad:

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

oh WOW. Jingling for your poor boy!

[Plumcreek]

Schneiders (www.sstack.com) sells a stretch MESH slinky, if you are using one to protect the catheter. Might be more comfortable for the horse in hot weather.

Must say, I read this thread and now have a new appreciation for living in this drought-stricken western state where lyme does not commonly exist.

Jingles from Colordo.

[Luie's Person]

I'm so glad to hear he was better today......hopefully you'll be able to get a consult w/ a homeopathic vet soon! ( I'm doing what I can - can;t reach her either!!!)

Agree w/ EQTrainer and others that at this point *something else* is going on -- even if we just want to call it 'flat immune syndrome' or whatever... and who ever posted the link to Townsend Letter a thread or 2 ago - *cool*...I thought I was the only one. My dog has had Lyme that didn't go away for 1 1/2 YEARS. He most recent treatment was doxy *and* Batril(aka Cipro, I think -- like stuff for anthrax!!) and now he's acting like a 3YO dog again. Lyme is terrible.

CollieMom -- Yes, one of Luie's main symptoms was quasi-'tying up'. Those symptoms started a few days after the doxy was started. Then we put him on Methocarbamol(Robaxin) a muscle relaxer, and it was all uphill from there. I also took him off all grain. He still gets a very small amount of Robaxin 2x each day - and is now on a small amount (for his size and work level) of low carb/ hi fat via flax seed pellet. It's primarily pasture andhay for him. Knock on wood -- everythings great now....SO there is light at the end of the tunnel. We just need to keep searching and be open to looking at the whole puzzle......TONS of carrots for Kiwayu (but only the low carb kind! -- keep those bacteria stressed until they LEAVE for GOOD! :)

[Kiwayu]

Kiwayu had another good day today! :D I still don't know how lame, or sound ;), he is being that I don't want to evaluate him until the last day of the Tetra. He got his teeth floated by the equine Dentist and all looked good-whooo hooo!!! :yes:

I'm a little nervous about the up coming few days. Tomorrow night there is a professional fireworks display (done by the local hospital) going off right BEHIND Kiwayu's stall. :eek: :mad: He ABSOLUTELY CANNOT handle fireworks. He goes NUTS and won't eat for days. So instead of drugging him, I'm taking my chances and trailering him off the property for a few hours while this display goes off. Either way he's going to be stressed to the max, but I think dealing with the fireworks would be worse. I warned the vet already. Then after tomorrow, I get to deal with the unknown of when fireworks will go off this weekend being that July 4th is coming up. :sigh: :( My poor boy probably thinks the world is turning on him. Lets just keep our fingers crossed this stress doesn't bring out the Lyme more, make him lame-er, or cause him to colic. (We've done that before!)

[MsM]

Horsey life can sure get complicated, cant it?
Your horse is so lucky to have such a caring mom. Best of luck with your field trip. Hopefully he will be distracted enough by his other problems that he wont be TOO worried about stray firecrackers later.
I am lucky that my horse is not real sensitive about them. He will startle but doesnt stay upset. Unlike my dog who is a trembling mess if one little firecracker goes off. I have to ace him to keep him from hurting himself trying to hide. Oddly, lightning/thunder doesnt bother him much (he barks at it) even tho my TV was struck by lightning - twice! :rolleyes:

[Kiwayu]

Vet came out today to give Kiwi his last IV Tetra treatment. He's acting 100% normal, he's happy, and moving around in his paddock beautifully!!! :yes: Vet wanted to see him trot, so I took him out to the ring. He was forward, and moving wonderfully. :D I couldn't watch him trot being I was the one running with him, but the vet said he's a little sticky in his hocks, but looks great!!!!! Gave me the go ahead to start tack walking him. (I haven't been on him in 8+ months.:eek:)She said if he can handle walking under saddle for 1-2 weeks I can start to SLOWLY introduce troting. Said he really needs to build up muscle, but needs to move to help his arthritis. She also suggested that I try to borrow a magnetic sheet for him. Claims it will help. So being the loving mommy, I went out and bought this: http://doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1%2D24321&bhcd2=1151606495 and this: http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassId=1635&GCID=C11284x040 for him. After making many phone calls I couldn't find anyone that actually had the magentic sheet anymore so I could borrow one instead. Everyone supposedly just got rid of theirs.

I'm on cloud nine right now. :) :yes: :cool: I need to make out my will prior to starting to walk him under saddle. ;) He gets his monthly Legend shot in 1.5 weeks, and the vet gave me Frontline for Kiwayu. Hopefully that will keep those PITA ticks out of here!!!

Have any of you tried the Magnetic sheets/boots? What do you guys think??

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

so happy for you. What wonderful news.

No sheet here, sorry.

[Quinn]

You've made me smile!!!

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

[Luie's Person]

Luie says hooray!!!! :yes:

[BarbB]

Have any of you tried the Magnetic sheets/boots? What do you guys think??

I used the magnetic tendon boots from Dover on an old TB and I think they helped a lot.

[Appassionato]

Vet came out today to give Kiwi his last IV Tetra treatment. He's acting 100% normal, he's happy, and moving around in his paddock beautifully!!! :yes: Vet wanted to see him trot, so I took him out to the ring. He was forward, and moving wonderfully. :D I couldn't watch him trot being I was the one running with him, but the vet said he's a little sticky in his hocks, but looks great!!!!! Gave me the go ahead to start tack walking him. (I haven't been on him in 8+ months.:eek:)She said if he can handle walking under saddle for 1-2 weeks I can start to SLOWLY introduce troting. Said he really needs to build up muscle, but needs to move to help his arthritis. She also suggested that I try to borrow a magnetic sheet for him. Claims it will help. So being the loving mommy, I went out and bought this: http://doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1%2D24321&bhcd2=1151606495 and this: http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassId=1635&GCID=C11284x040 for him. After making many phone calls I couldn't find anyone that actually had the magentic sheet anymore so I could borrow one instead. Everyone supposedly just got rid of theirs.

I'm on cloud nine right now. :) :yes: :cool: I need to make out my will prior to starting to walk him under saddle. ;) He gets his monthly Legend shot in 1.5 weeks, and the vet gave me Frontline for Kiwayu. Hopefully that will keep those PITA ticks out of here!!!

Have any of you tried the Magnetic sheets/boots? What do you guys think??

i've used magnetic hock boots, it seemed to help. Maybe it's just because of the warmth of them, I don't know. but the vet AND I saw an improvement. Who knows?

Glad to hear things are on the up and up for you!!!!

[Kiwayu]

I hand walked Kiwayu for about 10 minutes with tack on, but I was on the ground. Then, I got on and walked him for about 10-15 minutes. He was AWESOME!!!!!!!! :D :yes: :cool: :D The BO even commented how good he looked. Kiwayu seemed so happy to finally have a job again. I can't wait to "ride" him tomorrow! It feels awesome to know you spent thousands of dollars, waited 8+ months, and put all this time/effort into getting him to this point, and now I can ride (at the walk, anyway! ;)). WHOOO HOOO! :D :D :D

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. Can you tell I'm happy????

Any more comments about the magnet boots/sheet? :confused:

[Peggy]

Yeah! It's nice to hear good news!

(unfortunately I have no info to offer on magnetic accessories)

[dauntless]

First off - Congrats!!!

Try talking to your vet about the Back on Track Ceramic blankets. I work at a tack shop, and we have had many many TB trainers switch to these over the magnetic or electric blankets. The deal aproximately that there is ceramic woven into the blankets/ wraps and that they use the body's heat to increase circulation. Or something. In any case - they have a lot of literature w/ infrared phots that demonstrate the increase in circulation and they're endorsed by a lot of top horsemen. I think there have been COTH threads on their products, so you can try doing a search of the BBs, too.

If you've got your heart set on magnetic boots, I *think* greenhawk (kinda like Canada's stateline, I think) carries them. I know I have seen them there, at least. If you can't find them on their online catalogue, you can always call their mail order dept bc not all their products are listed on their website. http://www.greenhawk.net

[dauntless]

I see these used on the track a lot, as well.
http://www.debmar.com/equine/

[fargo]

So glad that he's doing so much better! And those old guys sure like to have their job back don't they? Our old gelding was off a lot this spring and a little while back I lounged him with cavaletti's. He was so incredibly proud and could really trot them well (they were the low poles laying on the ground). He grew with pride with every round he made. And yesterday he was cantering when my friend rode him, he is such a motivated guy always has been and so proud when he can ride and actually DO something. I told my friend, even during bad spots, DO ride him, JUST walks even but give him his sense of pride and keep him going. And they make you proud don't they? SO happy for you!

[Raleigh's Mom]

I have no opinion on magnetic therapy... just wanted to say congrats on the good news. :)

[Kiwayu]

Well, Kiwayu has been walked under saddle for a little over a week now for about 10-15 minutes each day. He's been AWESOME!!! :yes: Yesterday and today I decided to throw in 5 minutes of troting under saddle, and he felt great! :D He's been a saint about not killing me despite having a lot of energy. <knock on wood ;)> Kiwayu is happy, and moving beautifully. He did have his feet shod last Saturday and was a little still/uncomfortable while flexed to have his feet trimmed. The farrier had to constantly give him a break. Thank god my farrier is wonderful and worked with us. The vet comes this coming week for Kiwayu's Legend injection, and I will mention about his stiffness about being flexed. I expected it considering he's just coming back from a nasty case of Lyme.