Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine Feb 2019 Vol 4 Issue 1

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

FINALLY 50 BY JANA BARCUS

O ctober, 2016 - Whitney said the longest 48 hours of her life was waiting from Saturday, when the ride vet at Hillsdale said he strongly suspected Miles had a high bowed tendon, until the Monday morning appointment with Dr. Karl Frees at Wilhite & Frees Equine Hospital. During the four plus hour appointment, two veterinarians and two vet techs were tending to Miles. What an impressive equine facility! And, much to her relief, Miles’ injury was one with a fairly good prognosis after an extensive rehabilitation plan. He was diagnosed with a lateral splint, and desmitis (inflammation) of the check ligament. Now, the challenge ahead was for Whitney to follow Dr. Frees’ rehab plan for Miles. This was truly a challenge for Miles and Whitney. Imagine having a fit, high energy young gelding facing complete stall rest going into the winter months, and Whitney’s work schedule as a COTA frequently gets her home after dark in the evening. Every morning Whitney started in the barn, first unwrapping Miles’

legs to do cold therapy (ice wraps). Then, the legs were rewrapped for the day. This routine was repeated every evening. Often Whitney found herself thankful for the good training she got on wrapping legs during her Mission Valley Pony Club days. For 3 months Miles was hand exercised 20-30 minutes a day. Whitney would get home from work and all this exercise was done in the dark and in the cold. Many nights she looked like a walking snowman in all her winter clothing trying to stay warm while safely exercising a rambunctious Miles who (in his mind) thought he was ready to run, buck, and chase the snowflakes. Besides the physical challenge of controlling and safely exercising Miles, there was the challenge of keeping him entertained and mentally stimulated. Lots of stall toys were used to try to help him pass the hours spent in his stall. Gradually, the exercise plan was stepped up to walking with tack to prepare him for the

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