Case Studies
Kissing Spines RehabIn late 2012 the wonderful Beks was diagnosed with kissing spines, with the vet recommending steroid injections into her back. Zoe organised everything for me and Beks went to stay for the treatment.
Two days after Beks had the steroid injections Zoe rang me to say that she was concerned that Beks was just 'not right'. She had phoned the vet who was arrivied literally as she put the phone down (a great comfort to have Fyrnwy Vets less than 5 minutes away) and he had diagnosed steroid induced laminitis. I think Zoe and the vet were as devastated as I was at the extremely rare and life threatening reaction to the steroids. Thanks to Zoe's prompt attention and the almost daily visits from the vet over the next 2 months Beks recovered from the laminitis with no permanent damage to her feet. Since I live 60 miles away Zoe phones to give me daily updates. You really should ask her about the thermometer incident!! Unfortunately over the next few months Beks' back problems worsened and with steroids no longer an option Zoe helped me explore other avenues. I finally opted for the traditional Kissing Spine surgery to be performed at Fyrnwy with post op rehab at Taylored Equestrian. Yet again Beks proved that no treatment for her could be routine. Post surgery complications meant the usual 4 day stay at the vets turned into weeks, then months. Zoe kindly visited with Beks when I couldn't and gave me phone updates and when Beks was finally released was there to transport her back to Taylored Equestrian to continue the rehabilitation. The year post surgery has been very challenging and Zoe has always been ready to offer suggestions, advice and support. The facilities of Taylored Equestrian together with the network of available professionals - vets, physics, farriers means that every horse has the chance to recover to its best potential. Nicki Pritchard |
Kissing Spines RehabMimi came to us in April 2014 following kissing spines surgery by Svend Kold.
Historically she had been unrideable for some time and had previously had treatment for suspensory, hock and sacro iliac issues. Upon her arrival, immediately post surgery, she was severely underweight from a combination of being out of work, long standing pain and the surgery. Her dropping smelt sour and she just appeared very subdued. Her rehab began with box rest until the stitches could be removed. She was also on antibiotics during this time. Once the antibiotics finished and the stitches had been removed we contacted Alex Gingell at Hack Up Bespoke and laid out a plan involving different supplement formulations to aid her recovery. We started with a digestive supplement to help balance her gut and aid weight gain. Later on she progressed to one designed for healing and finally she used a bespoke joint formulation. Weeks 0-2 were box rest, week 2-6 were in hand walking, week 6-12 was lunging, with turn out starting at week 7. Due to her initial lack of condition ridden work was delayed a further 6 weeks whilst more lunging and pole work ensued. At week 18 we started lunging with the newly fitted saddle. After a few more weeks we than began ridden work with a program to include 1 month of hacking before starting in the school. At the start of October '14 Mimi was ridden for the first time in over a year. The smile on her owners face told a massive story as she hadn't enjoyed a ride on Mimi in a long time. Mimi left to go home at the start of November, where she will now continue with ridden work in the school with the view to being able to jump again in the new year.. This rehab was very much a team effort. Svend came to visit Mimi at 12 weeks and 18 weeks post op. Our Physiotherapist Emma Dainty was a regular visitor as well as helping to set the lunging and stretching program and Mel Lewis was vital for ensuring a correctly fitting saddle. We wish Louise and Mimi all the best for the future. |