It’s been a long
time since I last updated my blog I know, but in all honesty it’s been a very
difficult few months.
Shortly after my
last blog,one week into starting my new job, Guinness had 3 episodes of getting his head stuck on the floor again
on 3 successive days. Typically it was over the bank holiday Easter weekend and
less than 2 weeks into me starting a new job, and the weekend I was booked in
for my first event at Aston!!!!
This time though,
it was much more severe and he was very ataxic (wobbly) and was clearly
distressed. Whereas previously I was able to subside the episode by walking him
in hand and encouraging him to move his head from side to side, on this
occasion I could not move him for fear he was about to fall over.
After long
discussions with my vet Mark, and Marcus Head at Liphook hospital in Newmarket,
we sought advice from Richard Piercey, a specialist in equine neurological
disorders at the Royal Veterinary College in Potters Bar. Dawny, Mum and I took
Guinness to RVC for an assessment and it was discovered that the arthritis in
Guinness neck has caused a narrowing of the channel in which his spinal chord
is surrounded and this is the cause of his ataxia (wobblers). My whole world
felt like it had suddenly collapsed in on itself!
For anyone who has
followed all the struggles and difficulties we have overcome together it was
heartbreaking to think that this could now be the end. We discussed a possible
operation which would not only cure the arthritis in his neck (which causes the
head to lock, stuck on the floor) but also would straighten up the vertebrae so
that they no longer rubbed on his spinal cord (hence improving or possibly curing
the ataxia) but not only is it very expensive, but it is very traumatic, with
up to 1 year recovery time.
I thought long and
hard for the next few weeks but ultimately, as his day to day life is in no way
impeded by his condition, I decided it would be selfish to put him
through the operation purely so I can still ride him competitively. I love him
so much and he is only young and very talented but I think I have made the
right decision.
The future outlook
I’ve been advised
that to continue to ride Guinness could be unsafe but, lets face it, riding any
horse can be unsafe, so Guinness and I started hacking round the woods.
Frustrating
doesn’t even come close to how I feel as he feels and looks in the form of his
life! Ultimately, the vets have said that I know him better than anyone else
and that I have to use my judgement about how much he can do and how safe he is to
ride. So we are taking it day by day, one step at a time and hopefully, if we could
ever get back to doing a bit of local dressage, this would be the best possible
outcome, however sadly any form of eventing career is no longer on the cards.
We’ve wrapped him
in cotton wool to try and prevent any further episodes so now he is only turned
out for short periods a day in a small paddock by himself and he is fed only
from a corner manger or a high haynet to prevent him putting his head down for
too long at a time.
Guinness letting off some energy in the paddock
Watching him
canter around and buck and leap in the paddock though, you wouldn’t think
anything is wrong with him!
I know he will
have another episode at some point but anything I can prevent them for as long
as possible, is obviously a good thing. How severe the next episode is will be
crucial to whether or not I can continue to ride my now ‘happy hacker’ or if he
will be a spoilt in retirement like our other old boys.
A highlight of the
last few months
As I do every
year, I attended the Royal Windsor Horse show in the grounds of Windsor castle.
I've been going every year since I was about 10 I think and I love the
variety of horses and disciplines on display (and the shopping!). This year was
extra special though as at the very last minute, I was able to go to the
evening performance of the Queens diamond jubilee pageant on the Sunday when
the Queen was attending. I owe a very big thank you to Rob Waine for thinking
of me at the last minute. It was absolutely spectacular and something I will
never forget. My personal favourite were the New South Wales mounted police who
all rode black horses, immaculately turned out in white boots, white bridles,
white tape on their platts and sparkling quarter markings!!
Old Boy Donald
My old horse
Donald, who my Mum now cares for and hacks had his first case of laminitis,
which we’ve now confirmed is cushings induced. He is 26 years old and 16.2h and
it was touch and go for a few days. Marta, also from Park vets like Mark, was
first on the scene and her emergency treatment has made all the difference. She
gave IV pain relief but he still couldn’t lift any of his feet so we nerve
blocked them to remove his shoes and place support pads under them. His bed is
now nearly 18 inches deep in shavings, but the future
is looking more positive for him I really glad to say.
Mummy looking after her biggest Baby (Donald)
Frosty on the mend
On a positive
note, my sisters horse frosty who has been recovering from a suspensory injury
for the last 9 months is back in work and has been immaculately behaved
throughout including letting me sit on him bareback the other evening for a
picture!
The Queens Diamond
Jubilee and looking to the future
So it’s all been a
bit crazy but watching the jubilee
celebrations on TV this weekend, especially all those who endured the bad
weather for the river pageant on Sunday reminds me how determined and resilient us Brits
can be when we put our mind to it and when something is important to us. I’ve
proudly hung a 5 ft flag in my front room window and revelled in singing our
national anthem at full volume whilst waving a union jack whenever possible
during these wonderful celebrations. Although at times things may seem bleak or
unfair in one way or another, we must never forget how lucky we are in so many
ways and be grateful for all the blessings we do have.
