April - June 2012 It never rains but it pours!

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.