Training
MULE CROSSING: Insect Control
Insect Control
Here is some information about insect control that you might find helpful! We worm our equines in January, March, May, July and September with Farnam Ivermectin and then break the cycle with Strongid in November to prevent internal worms and parasites. This insures that your animals are safe despite what your neighbors may be doing with their livestock. Fields and pastures should be harrowed in the spring and fall, and between hay cuttings. Keep all tack and equipment clean so it does not attract flies to your tack room and grooming area. Spray the tack room when you leave with a household flying insect spray for any residual flies.
- First and foremost, a regular grooming schedule at least every other week and preferably every week is essential for the
hygiene and health of your equines. Regular grooming once a week to remove excess hair, mud, etc. will eliminate places on the animal, including legs that would be subject to insects laying eggs. If certain body areas begin to get sores, scabs, or bumps, use Neosporin, or if they are severe…Panalog, also called Animax or Dermalone (by prescription from your vet). Clean the eyes, ears and nostrils every time during grooming and fly spray the hairs inside the ears for the best bug-block after cleaning. - We use Tri-Tech 14 by Farnam fly spray weekly for bugs and insects that can pester your equine. This seems to be the best and longest lasting spray (Herbal remedies and fly predators do not work as well!). Scrub flies and eggs from the legs, cover with Neosporin and then spray for flies during grooming. Using Johnson’s baby oil in the manes and tails helps to keep the flies at bay and will also discourage other animals from chewing on them.
- Use fly masks for those mules and donkeys that have sensitive skin. Farnam Super Masks will usually fit most animals. If you groom regularly and clean and spray the ear hairs, the eared masks may not be necessary (I have never had to use the ones with ears). You can find them in most tack and vet stores. Just make sure when you put them on that they will come off easily if they were to get caught on anything.
- Feeding the right kinds of feed for mules and donkeys. Animals are sweating toxins are more apt to attract insects.
- In order to keep flies and other insects under control, all stalls, runs and pens need to be kept free of manure and debris daily. Barns should be cleaned periodically with disinfectant. Keep all stalls, pens and sheds free of urine and manure (clean at least once a day, every day!). This includes larger dirt pen turnout areas weekly. You shouldn’t need to use any PDZ or chemicals at all if cleaned properly. For good drainage in stalls, we drill a 2’ x 4’ deep hole in the middle of the stall and fill it with 1 ½” rock. Then we put down 4” of pea gravel throughout the whole stall and cover with rubber mats.
- Keep manure collection piles well away from the house and barns (We put manure into a dumpster behind our hay barn and have it hauled away weekly). Contrary to popular belief, the manure is NOT suitable for fertilizer unless it is properly composted and used for appropriate crops. Equines consume weeds and poop seeds that will propagate weeds anywhere that the manure is used.
- Keep water sources clean. Check them daily, or clean as needed.
- Clean any manure from shed or stall walls daily. Power wash stall walls and alleyways as needed.
- Ceiling fans will also help a lot, both pointed into specific stalls and along the top of your barn alleyways! Just be sure to check them regularly and clean them as needed to prevent any spontaneous fires from dust gathering in them. Keep them running so birds will not build nests on them!
- Do not ever clip the hair inside the ears or muzzle hairs of the equines! Body clip only if you are showing. Use blankets and fly sheets as needed. Their hair coats will insulate them from the heat, cold and protect them from insects.
- Do not clip the hair on the legs unless you absolutely must for showing! Lots of times, you can get a clean look by using the clippers with the hair rather than against the hair on the legs to maintain protection.
- Keeping your fence lines free of weeds will also help enormously! Bugs and insects like to live in those areas!
hygiene and health of your equines. Regular grooming once a week to remove excess hair, mud, etc. will eliminate places on the animal, including legs that would be subject to insects laying eggs. If certain body areas begin to get sores, scabs, or bumps, use Neosporin, or if they are severe…Panalog, also called Animax or Dermalone (by prescription from your vet). Clean the eyes, ears and nostrils every time during grooming and fly spray the hairs inside the ears for the best bug-block after cleaning.
In order to keep flies and other insects under control, all stalls, runs and pens need to be kept free of manure and debris daily. Barns should be cleaned periodically with disinfectant. Keep all stalls, pens and sheds free of urine and manure (clean at least once a day, every day!). This includes larger dirt pen turnout areas weekly. You shouldn’t need to use any PDZ or chemicals at all if cleaned properly. For good drainage in stalls, we drill a 2’ x 4’ deep hole in the middle of the stall and fill it with 1 ½” rock. Then we put down 4” of pea gravel throughout the whole stall and cover with rubber mats.
Clean any manure from shed or stall walls daily. Power wash stall walls and alleyways as needed.
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2010 – Rock & Roll – 12-28-29-10 – MASSAGE
12/28/10: Dr. Greg Farrand checked Rock on his visit to the ranch and was encouraged by the way Rock was moving. He said he was sure he saw marked improvement in his gait and particularly in the right hind leg. He is tracking significantly more straight forward and the “hitch” is barely visible.
12/29/10: Rock had his fourth massage today with Joanne Lang and husband Dr. Dave Miller, DVM. First, we took the “before pictures shown below. His “before” stance is looking better and the “reach” of the right hind is improving. He is finally able to bear weight on the right hind leg through the turn.
Bearing weight on the right hind through the trot caused him to give a little “jump” and raise his head for a split second, but he then resumed an even pace. He never pulled on the lead rope and launched into the trot easily. Dave and Joanne then began their work on Rock and he was happy to comply. They worked much more of his body this time. Dave focused on the right hind while Joanne worked critical point throughout his body on both sides (see Joanne’s notes).
Rock was quite content to lower his head upon request and there was significant improvement over the topline. Rock is now reaching to the side by himself through the head and neck when standing free during the massage. He is finally gaining some flexibility through his head and neck. Rock has begun to put some weight against the tail pull which is what we want. To put more pressure on the rear end, we took him into his stall and Dave massaged his rump and then back with his feet (see Joanne’s notes) as Roll looked on. At first, Rock wasn’t too sure about what we were up to, but he stood quietly and all that showed any concern was his face. He did half heartedly try to step away from Dave, but to get a better angle on his glutes, we just repositioned him by backing him into Dave and again he was very cooperative.
Then we took him out to walk and trot again. When bearing weight on the right hind, the hip is noticeably higher on that side, but he is tracking much more forward. When his weight moves to the left hind, the hips are more level. His reach through the turn increased significantly. Trot is much improved!
2010 – Rock & Roll – 12-5-24-10 – MASSAGE
12/ 5/10: Rock and Roll were delivered via trailer from Fran & Larry Howe of Bennett, Colorado. I had seen them at the National Western Stock Show in January where Fran and Larry showed them in the driving classes. Both animals were underweight and compromised. We saw Roll again in August at the Larimer County Fair and he had gained a lot of weight by that time.
12/5/10 Email from Fran: Here are the supplements that Rock & Roll are on:
Dynamite Vitamin & Mineral Supplement for Horses Dynamite 1 to 1 Free Choice (free choice for grass hay) Dynamite Excel
Dynamite Free and Easy (Glucosamine, Chondroitin)
Rock has been on Dyna-Pro which is a probiocotic and Dynamite Miracle Clay.
They both get a lot of grass hay!
Their feet have been trimmed (November 21 st). I had them tested for worms last spring–none to speak of. Roll is a real easy keeper (gains weight as he breathes!) Needs to be on a diet and more exercise.
Rock had dental surgery in November of 2009 where two teeth were removed. He had them floated November 19th, 2010. He will probably need to be looked at again next year. Rock has been to see Dave McLean for his hips (3 sessions I think!) Probably would be beneficial if he had more. He has a peculiar “hitch” that he does with his right hind (a result of his hip–my opinion.) I do not believe that it is a stifle (sp) (could be wrong–I have not had it x-rayed or diagnosed) Trimming his feet is difficult for him and the farrier. I bute him before I attempt to do anything with his hind feet. The right hind is fairly easy to get off the ground, but he needs to put it down fairly often. His left hind is another story. It is difficult to get it off the ground and when you do he needs to have it supported by a “hoof jack” so that he can put weight on it as his right hind will not hold him. He is gentle and tries really hard to please. He is the willing one and will out work the other one even with his “disabilities” ..
Roll can be driven single but is very lazy. He also moves short behind–could be that he is out of condition or has never used his back correctly. He tends to be a little “bracey” and is quite willful at times. Needs confidence. He is good with his feet. His teeth checked out ok, but I would have him checked next year also.
Their general health is pretty good right now. The stomachs have calmed down and I think that Rock’s upsets have been solved. I put them on Dynamite Miracle Clay for 3-4 days every 6 weeks or so. Then a pro-biocotic frequently. I have been out of pro-biocotic for several weeks and have not kept this up. I have tried to keep from giving them anything that is toxic (wormers, immunizations, etc.) until I am sure that the stomachs are healthy again. Therefore they have not had any wormers, or shots, and I try not to give them any pain killers (a little Bute when I do Rocks feet).
I have noticed that they have been reacting to things a little different since they feel better. They have more energy! They tend to be “heavy” on the lines at times (probably the way that they have been used previously!) I have been re-enforcing the fundamental ground work (not sure that they ever had any!). They are big and they have no idea how to stay out of your space–pushy at times. Rock is easily intimidated by humans but works real hard to please. Roll isn’t as intimidated and is pushy. They are not mean–just BIG and do not know their own strength.
12/5/10: Immediately took both mules off Dynamite feed program and started them with 4 cups each of crimped oats, 2 oz. Sho Glo, 2 oz. Mazola corn oil (once per day) and 4 flakes each, morning and evening of grass hay. When walking, Rock swings his right hip sideways very stiffly and forward when he walks. Rock’s hip and stifle appear locked up.
12/7/10: Light groomed Rock and Roll with dandy brush. Hair coats were coarse and wiry. Put Johnson’s baby oil in manes and tails. Hair was stiff and inflexible. They had their first turnout. Rock tried to trot, but was halted. Roll played and bucked and had a great time.
12/8/10: Morning: Both trimmed by Dean Gleeson. Old abscess found in Rock’s left front hoof. Abscess was nearly grown out with slight discoloration at the coronet band. Rock appears to be a little sore on the front. Supports weight by shifting the left front leg forward to take weight off right hind.
12/8/10: Afternoon: Rock had his first massage with Joanne Lang. She did some work on the right side from the neck back to the right hind. Then concentrated efforts on the right hind. See Joanne’s notes on his condition. Increased crimped oats to 3 cups.
12/9/10: Compared photos from delivery through massage to date.
Rock’s right hip at delivery, 12/5/10
Rock’s right hip before massage, 12/8/10
Rock’s hip after massage 12/9/10
12/14/10: Rock and Roll had a health exam with veterinarian Greg Farrand. Health generally good. Atrophied muscling is guarded, but probably not EPM. Reserve judgement until later. Wait and see how chiropractics and massage progresses. Delay Strongid worming for 3 weeks. Then follow 3 weeks later with another dose of Strongid for 1000lbs. Much improved hair coats. Increased crimped oats to 4 cups. Hip noticeably improved since first massage and he is attempting to track more forward with the right hind leg.
12/15/10: Rock had his second massage by Joanne Lang and Dave Miller. Joanne worked on the right shoulder, withers and hind hip with thumper, Then Dave jumped in and worked the right hind leg with his hands while Joanne thumped the left hip. See Joanne’s notes. Rock’s overall body is looking much better. He is now beginning to track more forward with the right hind leg.
12/21/10: Rock has begun to finish all his hay mornings and evenings and we have increased his oats to 6 cups. His movement is noticeably improved and there are signs (mud on his head) to indicate that he has finally decided to lie down and roll. Fran had indicated that he didn’t lie down often as it was very difficult for him to get back up.
12/22/10: Rock had his third massage with Joanne Lang and Dave Miller. Before the massage, we stood him for pictures and then took video and pictures of his movement at walk and then trot. Where he wouldn’t before, he broke to trot easily, but could not sustain it for very long. He is walking straight forward with the right hind more consistently.
After the pictures and video were taken, we set Rock up for his massage. My job is to control the position of his head and neck during the massage so he will derive the maximum benefit. This cannot be forced. As Joanne and Dave work, I ask Rock to lower his head, or move it from right to left as needed. Joanne resumed work on the right side of his body and into his rib cage while Dave worked on the right hind leg (see Joanne’s notes for details). Roll’s job is Supervisor!
Rock willingly leaned into Dave’s work and was a little worried when Joanne got into his rib cage, but soon relaxed for that as well. When sore, he keeps his ears back and won’t take the oats. When relaxed, he turns his head to me and takes the oats from my hand. Rock is definitely more suspicious and more the worrier than Roll, but he seems to know that we help him to feel better and he never tries to move away. Even when startled, he only took one step. He and Roll both take exception to having their muzzles touched. In Rock’s case, it could be because of the trauma with his teeth abscessing and needing to be pulled. He is much less tolerant around the muzzle than Roll.
This time, we did extensive work on both sides with the thumper and with Dave doing the major hands-on work to his right hind and flanks. Joanne then came back to the left side, then she and Dave both worked the stifle area together for more release. While they were working in back, I was getting his to stretch down and lengthen the muscles along the topline. Then Dave did some finish work over the croup after which Joanne finished up with some tail stretching.
Joanne then worked the hind leg a little more and attempted backward range of motion on his leg. He allowed it to a point, but then quickly drew it back. Can’t quite bring the leg behind yet, but he did try and couldn’t have done that 3 weeks ago. All this time, Roll was playing Director with our camera girl!
12/24/10: Rock and Roll got a haircut and grooming. Both of them stood very well for the clipping and grooming. I didn’t get Rock’s bridle path cut very straight while I was on the stool, but he very willingly lowered his head so I could correct my mistake without the stool.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 1-8-11 – MASSAGE
1/5/11: We had previously seen evidence that the draft mules were finally lying down and rolling. We were able to catch Roll while he was down. When I approached with the camera, he quickly got up. Rock just took his usual place by the tree, but is looking much happier and more relaxed. They seem to be doing their rolling when no one is around which makes it very difficult to get pictures.
1/6/10: Rock had his fourth massage today with Joanne Lang and husband Dr. Dave Miller, DVM. Since the weather was getting much colder and cold is not conducive to relaxation, we decided to bring Rock and Roll into the heated Tack Barn for their body work. This required a little encouragement, but they were very good about complying. This just goes to show the confidence you can instill and the trust you can gain if the equine’s experience with you is a positive one.
To our astonishment, Rock immediately relaxed when Joanne began work on his back and croup like we had not seen to this point. He cocked his right hind leg in a relaxed position and was able to bend his head and neck around by himself to see what she was doing. This is a major breakthrough. Roll was happy to be included even if it was just to keep Rock calm, but he was later to enjoy some targeted stretching exercises for the fluid on his hocks.
I groomed both Rock and Roll while Joanne got started with Rock. Note that they are both standing more squarely with equal weight placed over all four feet and Rock is freely bending his head around. This was not the case when we started work with them; it was difficult to get them to balance this way while standing still. Their foot placement was much more random.
This time Roll got some work as well. Grooming and massaging his neck resulted in free-will stretches from him with grooming and leading work only for the past 5 weeks. Rock is able to stretch more freely as well. Both were very rigid through the neck and back and had difficulty with this kind stretching before. Both are much more relaxed overall.
Dave resumed work on Rock’s bad leg and announced that he thought there was a lot less popping and some relaxation going on in the stifle and the gaskin seems to also be improving.
Rock’s hip, stifle and leg are responding well to treatment well. He is markedly more relaxed and flexible.
We are beginning to see some healthy flexion in the neck and spine.
Note how Roll is restricted in his right leg as well (below). I began stretching exercises to help with this and got immediate improvement. After stretching, he was able to stand squarely and put down his right heel.
After loosening Rock’s muscles from head to tail, we all continued with range of motion work on Rock’s rear end and right hind and enabled him to stretch it backwards further than he had previously.
Both mules were touchy around their muzzles when they first arrived and for several weeks. Finally Joanne was able to give Rock a proper oral massage and he did seem to enjoy it!
To wrap up this massage, Dave got on Rock’s back and did deeper massage over the croup and hips. He really seemed to enjoy this, too! Then it was back to the stable. Rock’s walk is getting much more stretchy and freer forward.
1/8/11: I wormed both Rock and Roll with Pyrantel for 1000lbs for the first time since 4/10. We were warned that Rock had swelled up in the joints when previously wormed, but we saw no sign of this after worming. He had no adverse reactions and Rock and Roll both rolled during turnout. We will repeat this ½ dose in 3 weeks.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 1-13-11 – GROOM
1-13-11: Rock and Roll both got groomed and vacuumed. Then they were fitted for their exercise tack. Vacuuming is a wonderful therapeutic tool. It was evident that we have made progress with Rock as his skin was not as easily sucked up tight into the end of the vacuum like Roll’s skin was. Roll, however, showed more tail control than Rock when I vacuumed “the spot” that makes the tail rise. A quick once over with the rubber curry comb.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 1-18-11 – CHIROPRACTIC
1/18/11: Rock and Roll were both adjusted by equine chiropractor, Dave McClain. Dave indicated that Rock probably had a fractured pelvis at one point in time and showed that there was a difference in the distance from the midline to the point of the hip on each side. He was longer on the right than the left indicating a possible fracture at the pelvis base on the right side. Both animals adjusted well.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 1-20-11 – MASSAGE
1/20/11: Rock and Roll both got worked on today. Both have been doing mild showmanship and leading exercises 3 times a week to date on a hard, flat surface and turnout every day for more passive movement. The leading exercises only included going forward for 5-6 steps, then stopping and squaring up before proceeding again. The turns were done on a very wide arc and only 2-3 steps backward each time to avoid undue stress to the hind legs. Both mules are beginning to come to square on their own each time they stop to rest during free times. Proprioception and good posture are improving.
Joanne and Dave did more overall massage work with Rock and Roll today. The work on Rock’s right side has facilitated much improvement and now warrants more intense work for the left side to keep things developing evenly throughout his body.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 1-25-11 – CHIROPRACTIC
Rock had another appointment to be adjusted by our chiropractor Dave McClain. He commented on how much better Rock seemed to be doing.
After his adjustment, Rock and Roll were taken to the indoor arena for exercises. Rock did straight lines, square up and a few steps of back, finishing with a walk around the round pen once on each side for a gradual bend to the spine.
Roll did beginning walk/trot work on the lunge. Apparently, he’s never been lunged before. Roll is better going to the left than to the right, but he is a quick learner!
Rock and Roll were then turned loose in the arena for a little stretching and rolling. Rock rolled and Roll wanted to, but didn’t. They both came back to me for treats. We then took them back to their pasture and gave them some hay for a relaxing afternoon.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 1-27-11 – MASSAGE
1/27/11: Joanne and Dave came for Rock’s massage and did more overall work again. Joanne climbed up on his back and did deep work on the hips, croup and then his withers and neck area. Afterwards, we took them to the indoor arena for a good roll since the ground outside is now frozen and muddy. They are now noticeable happy and relaxed.
Rock is finally getting some decent growth above the stress lines in his right front foot.
Roll got plenty of attention of his own since Rock is now standing and responding on his own and doesn’t need a header anymore. He has a much more happy face! Roll has no more fluid buildup in the hocks since his change of feed and stretching and lunging exercises.
Roll couldn’t believe it when I got on him for a massage. It’s clear he’s never been mounted before, but didn’t seem to mind at all and quickly relaxed. He really enjoyed finally getting his massage and traction.
Roll is loving every minute of it! Now he’s talking back! Now to the indoor arena for a good roll!
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-3-11 – MASSAGE
2/3/11: Rock and Roll were wormed with their second half-dose (1000 lbs.) of Pryrantel Paste this morning and both got massages again in the afternoon. This was Roll’s first experience with the thumper. At first, he was a little leery, but soon learned it was something to be enjoyed and took great pleasure in letting me know where to “thump!” Rock is now getting more total body work and is much more relaxed and accepting of everything. He no longer needs to be held by his lead and is “talking” back and forth with Joanne and Dave!
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-4-11 – FARRIER/ARENA PLAY
2/4/11: Rock and Roll are showing no ill signs from the worming yesterday and both got trimmed today. This time, Rock was easier to withstand more time with the weight on his bad leg. It only took one try this time to get his left foot on the stand. The time before it took 3 tries. Roll hasn’t shown any signs of fluid in his hocks
Rock locked up for a few seconds after taking his foot off the stand, but recovered quickly.
The abscess on the toe of left front foot is almost grown out and has given him no problems.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-11-11 – INDOOR ARENA TRAINING
2/7/11: Rock and Roll were taken to the indoor arena to play and allowed to roll if they wanted. Rock did not want to roll and just moseyed around for awhile. Roll did roll after which I free-lunged him just for the exercise. He was unable to stay in a good frame: he raised his head too high and hollowed his back, so I concentrated on just getting him to slow down and walk which he eventually did for a few steps. Little victory!
2/11/11: Rock and Roll had their first serious exercise session. Not that what we have done previously was not important. Both mules needed the minimal showmanship leading exercises just to gain the strength that they need for these exercises.
To review, both mules were asked to walk, stop and square up, back 2-3 steps and then repeat on the hard ground surface. After 6 weeks, there were asked to do this same exercise in the indoor arena in the sand in addition to their trims, chiropractic adjustments and massage. These passive exercises and practices have benefitted both mules and they were now ready to begin some more strenuous exercise though it is still passive.
We looked into having Rock checked to see exactly where his pelvis might be fractured, but we were advised that he would need to be sedated, turned upside down spread-eagled and then x-rayed. We determined that this would be far too traumatic for him so we were faced with a challenge of trying to find out just how far to manually take the range of motion in his right leg joints.
I decided that the best one to tell us would be Rock himself. He needs a lot of work to balance his body as evenly as he can over a broken pelvis. This requires that he bend in the joints in his right leg that have been lately extended and frozen in that position. He has made progress in that he is stepping straight forward now with that leg. He wasn’t when we got him. I thought if we started him stepping over one 1” PVC pipe integrated into my hourglass pattern that is designed to improve balance under saddle, and just lead him through, we could get him on the road to even more improvement.
The plan is to improve balance through the balance-changing pattern, beginning with just one very low PVC pipe to encourage him to lift and bend the joints in the right hind as he steps over. It worked really well for his first time! As he improves, we will add up to 4 -1” PVC pipes in a row to help to even his stride before we increase the height of the PVC poles. Then we will increase the height by 1” and add poles up to 4 again before increasing the height again. This will allow him to let us know how high he is able to flex the joints and lift the leg before experiencing any pain so we can adjust the exercises accordingly for the best results.
After Roll’s free-lunging session, it was clear that his posture is terrible and exercises need to be revised so we can strengthen his back muscles to improve his way of going. No more free lunging! After “pulling” as long as he has, his back end is always following him like a trailer. Bringing the hind quarters underneath will be a challenge after being in the incorrect posture for so long, but even after only a couple of limited lunging exercises in the elbow pull, he is already showing some progress.
Notice that Rock is now putting almost full weight on all fours while standing. The right hind is not cocked.
Rock’s hindquarters are filling in!
Roll now has more stability to his hindquarters.
There is now more musculature in Roll’s entire body just from passive exercise on the lead line.
Rock wasn’t too sure about the PVC pole the first time! The Elbow Pull is helping Rock to remain in control of his hindquarters. The second try over the pole he twisted a little on the left hind to raise the right hind. By the third time he was tracking straight over the pole.
Here, I am encouraging Rock to make a smooth and controlled arc around the cone. Though it was difficult for him, he did it.
Rock has obviously not been led from the right side. He couldn’t figure out why I kept changing sides! He soon figured it out and by the end of the lesson, he was doing very well!
Then Rock got to roll!
Roll thinks he has to trot! Still disunited behind, he rushes and doesn’t believe he can walk. I am trying to slow him by keeping one whip at the front and one at the back. He finally walked! After walking, the trot improved significantly, but he was worried that Rock was clear across the arena! I told him I was his “buddy” to and we resumed work! It didn’t take long before he was relaxed in the other direction. A very nice halt on the hindquarters from the walk and we were done!
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-13-14-11 – INDOOR ARENA TRAINING
2/13/11: The weather was warm and the wind had dried up most of the snow. It was a lazy day and I went to turn out Rock and Roll into their small pasture. I then came back up to the house and called Joanne. I told her that Rock had been rolling again and this time was covered pretty well down the left side of his face and neck with mud. This meant he had spent more time than before actually rolling. She commented that it was too bad that he couldn’t lay down on his right side because of the fractured pelvis and inability to flex those joints enough to be able to get back up. No sooner had she said that than I witnessed Rock (through the window) laying down to roll…on his RIGHT side! We both wondered if he would be able to get back up and with some struggle, he did. The right leg got a hitch in it for the next few steps, but he rested for about 10 minutes and then walked off as if nothing had happened.
2/14/11: Rock had a great session today!!!!! He is really beginning to understand the hourglass patter and the stops at every change of direction. At first, he didn’t get why I changed sides, but he soon figured it out. I tried trotting down center line from the right side, but we aren’t quite coordinated enough for that yet. The one pole wasn’t a challenge for him anymore (after only one lesson) and he had the pattern down pat, so I added a second pole. He walked over it with such ease I tried him at trot and he did it…4 times!!!! Roll did much better on his lunging lesson. Now that he knows what lunging is, well, sort of, we began a routine. He did 5 rotations at walk to the right, then 5 rotations of trot, then we reversed and he did 5 rotations of walk and 5 rotations of trot the other way. He was much calmer and appears to finally understand what we are doing. Then I put them both away and later Chad came to get me to tell me Rock was lying down…not rolling…but, genuinely resting! He stayed down for 15 minutes!
Rock was moving when I faced him to change sides, so I modified my approach and kept my back to him.
Of course, Roll thought he had to trot at first. But he soon slowed to a walk and continued the walk until told to resume trotting. Roll did his first true reverse at the walk. They always throw their heads over the fence the first time! Still he remained calm and proceeded at the walk as asked.And stopped nicely when asked to whoa.
Then 5 rotations at trot to the right. And a nice halt. I turned both boys loose in the arena to play after which they came to be haltered.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-16-11 – CHIROPRACTIC-INDOOR ARENA TRAINING
2/17/11: Morning: Rock and Roll both got groomed and adjusted by Dave McClain this morning. Both mules adjusted well and Dave was amazed at Rock’s significant improvement. He agreed that he is walking and generally moving much better and after I filled Dave in on what Joanne and I had been doing, he said he thought we should write and book and be consulted by CSU about the rehabilitation of a fractured pelvis! He also commented that Roll’s overall appearance was much better. His musculature is beginning to tighten up throughout his body and his stance is continuing to improve
Now for a little playtime!
Rock wasn’t into rolling, but Roll did both sides! Happiness is a warm draft mule!
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-22-11 – INDOOR ARENA TRAINING
2/21/11: Rock showed evidence of rolling on his right side today and far more aggressively than he had done before. Not only was there mud on the side of his head, but all along his body as well. We are delighted that Rock now feels good enough to get up and down as he didn’t for a very long time. It is causing pressure sores on his left knee and pastern, and left hock. We are treating with Neosporin and are seeing improvement. Though he is getting up and down more often, I would say the improvement we see in the sores is coming from him becoming stronger and putting less pressure on those spots which in turn allows them the time to heal.
2/22/11: Rock and Roll got groomed and did their work in the indoor arena again today. Rock appeared more sore than usual in his right leg, but I suspect it is from getting up and down as much as he has lately. He did his pattern much better with 2-1” PVC rails on center. Though he was showing soreness in the right leg, he still had a much better length of stride throughout the pattern and was still bearing substantial weight on the right leg. He was concerned, but not visibly unhappy about doing the pattern and afterwards, he even rolled on his right side in the indoor arena for us! So, I would say, he is still making progress and I suspect he will get sore less and less as his strength increases.
Roll is also continuing to improve. His walk is less strung out and more collected. He is beginning to use his hind legs more effectively with better coordination. The swelling in his hocks has not returned. Roll had a very good workout the last time, but this time he did even better. His walk was much more regular and rhythmic as was the trot. He was able to do 5 rotations of each of the walk and trot both directions and had not sweated as before, so I let him do 5 more rotations each direction of trot. His halts are improving as is his squaring up on command. Where it was difficult for him at first, he is more balanced now.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 3-1-11 – VETERINARIAN
3/1/11:Afternoon: Greg Farrand looked at Rock and we decided we would 1) x-ray both hind feet and the left front (the back feet were significantly softer than the front feet and the toes of the left hind and left front had both been abscessed, he soles on both hinds were thin. New growth is good. We want to make sure the bones have not rotated which is an important consideration with as much weight is on those soft hooves), 2) palpate Rock’s pelvis through the rectum with a “walking” palpation, to find the fracture point (Rock’s tail is low from a shift in the pelvic bone causing stress on the sacra-iliac cartilage and ligaments) and 3) do a complete check on his eyes. We noticed today he has a clearly visible cloud over the top of the cornea in his right eye with a hint of yellow ( liver?) on the white and the left is slightly irritated and thickened. Suggest eyes drops to help produce tears and stave off chronic abrasion of the eye. He said Roll looked good.
The left eye is dry and has a thickening of the sclera in the forward corner.
Greg said he was trying to keep this eye partiallly closed and protected because of dryness.
The cloud on Rock’s eye we suspect is abrasion due to dryness.
2011 – Rock & Roll – 2-24-11 –MASSAGE
2/24/11: Rock got a massage today, but since I had to run the camera, I was unable to give Roll as much attention. Rock appeared agitated and ewe later discovered that he might have a headache. Dave and Joanne massaged around his face which seemed to help and before turning him back, I gave him 3 grams of Equi-Phar Bute Paste.
Thickening in the schlera of the eye.
Rock was stocked up in the right hind. I gave him 3 grams of Bute.
The sores on Rocks legs are beginning to heal. They were worse because he is getting up and down more.
Rocky had a headache!
2011 – Rock & Roll – 3-1-11 – INDOOR ARENA TRAINING
3/1/11: Morning: Indoor arena workout. Rock was sore in the left hind and was still stocked up, so he will be seeing Greg Farrand, DVM this afternoon. Meanwhile, we continued with 2 rotations each direction and a trot attempt up centerline over two 1” PVC poles. Rock just couldn’t trot, but he did try. His left knee is completely healed and the fetlock is down to the size of a dime, so that is improving with his strength. He was more lovey and trusting today.
“While Roll is Rockin’, Rocky’s rollin”!”
2011 – Rock & Roll – 3-3-11 – MASSAGE
3/3/11: Rock and Roll are regularly coming to the gate when they see us now. Rock and Roll both got a massage today. Rock was sore in a few spots, but is continuing to improve. His mobility is better, weight distribution is better and the sores on his left front and back legs are nearly gone. Continued eye drops and he seems to be improving already. At the end of the massage, I played with Roll with a towel and he was positively delightful! Rock even appeared to want to join in, but he was busy with Joanne and Dave.
