Nicola Stock and Max
Nicola joined us as a livery in May 2009 following Nicola's attendance at a Hurstwood Farm Clinic.
His schooling was recently taken on by Rachael. Immediately it became apparent to Rachael that Max was unlevel in front and investigation commenced, overseen by the expertise of the veterinary team at Priors Farm....
Nicola Writes:
Max started his training with Rachael two months ago and was coming on quite well, but she was always concerned that there was a slight head nodding around corners, especially on the left rein in canter. We were not sure if this was due to him being green or a possible lameness. Gradually it became worse although still not very pronounced, so it was decided to put him on bute for a week.
This made a big difference to him, so Alison the vet was called and she tried various nerve blocks to try to isolate the problem. She thought it was probably a tendon injury and recommended an MRI scan. Rachael and I went to Newmarket- a 13 hour day!- to the Newmarket Equine Hospital. The scans showed a tear to both his deep digital flexor tendons which would not respond to rest alone, so he had surgery to this a few days later. He stayed at the hospital in Forest Row for three days and was then allowed home. Alison supported his hooves with wedges of polystyrene as he was quite sore and he was box rested for two weeks.
Yesterday his bandages and stitches came off and today he was shod with egg bar shoes in front. He is now allowed to walk for 5 minutes twice daily and Rachael and I have been hand grazing him. He has been very good about his confinement but loves being allowed out at last. We hope he will now gradually improve, and will keep a diary of his progress on the website.
Max on return from Newmarket
October 2009
Max's rehabilitation slowly progresses to gentle in hand walks two times a day for a pick of grass and a leg stretch. We are now beginning a controlled exercise program with increasing increments of hand walking.
Nicola leading Max out in hand.
November 2009
Max is now being ridden at walk twice a day, to begin the gradual process of strengthening his tendons and whole muscular system again.
All controlled exercise programs should be done in an arena with good footing and long straight lines. Poor footing, small circles, and uncontrolled spaces may cause re-injury.
May 2010
Nicola says
'Max has been slowly coming back in to work and is now increasing his canter work before starting jumping again. He is much happier now he is allowed out in a bigger paddock, and did his first dressage test last week. He is back to his old self but his paces are much freeer and he looks very well too'
