” If this was a 5 year old horse I could say he absolutely will come back. But this horse at 18? He may not come back.”
This is what the vet said after looking at the ultrasound images of Biasini’s injured leg. I knew that as a ‘senior’ horse he might not heal up so well. They are just like us and as we get older we don’t heal up so well either. But at that moment when the vet said this my heart fell into my boots. What did this mean?Would he have to be retired? Would I be able to ride him again? Ever?
Let me reassure you Biasini is not in pain. He has a tendon injury and it is a bad one but he is not lame or limping in pain. He is only walking since he was diagnosed in Florida with this injury. The vet who examined him here at home and looked at the ultrasound is a vet who has been the Team vet for Canadian Dressage Teams at the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics. So he knows what is required of horse athletes at the upper levels. This is something I found reassuring because I thought that as he knew Biasini was working and competing at an upper level of dressage he was telling me he might not be able to get back to that level. But perhaps he would be rideable?
I could feel my heart sinking as I stood there looking at Biasini. My beautiful multi -talented horse who is equally good out on the forest trail or in the international show ring. He is my heart horse.! He is irreplaceable! How had it come to this? He has never had a days’ lameness or injury in the 9 years I have owned him . But now……..
This is pretty much my idea of a disaster . No horse ? What then? The vet thinks is will be six months total before we can see if it has healed up well enough to allow him to return to some level of being ridden.
The vet then had his assistant give Biasini some sedation and did shock wave treatment on the area of the injury. He will be coming back in two weeks to do more shock wave and also inject PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) into the injury site. Also the vet was going to speak to the farrier that shoes Biasini. He will tell him about the injury and he will be able to design a shoe that will give the injured area some extra support. So there are treatments that have been proven to work well on other horses. I can only hope and pray they will work for Biasini.
Later my coach Belinda Trussell came up and gave me a hug. I needed that hug. Lynsey Rowan who has ridden and successfully competed Biasini while I have been unable to ride due to my hip problems told me she believes he will come back and reminded me of two of Belinda’s horses who had injuries and were now outside cavorting about in their paddock. They are retired but are sound and happy. And that is what really matters.
I must not give up hope. I must not let Biasini think I have given up on him. Fortunately the vet said he agreed with the vet in Florida that Biasini can and should be kept moving. He can have turnout with a small dose of a calmer to keep him from running and any other hijinks. He can also be walked under saddle three days a week for 15 minutes and on other days hand walked for 15 minutes. Today my husband hand walked him and then I hand grazed him on the grass outside the barn. He loves that. And so on we go one day at a time. Positive thoughts and prayers for my beautiful boy are much appreciated. Thank you in advance .
Biasini and Lynsey Rowan prior to the injury in Florida.
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