It has been an interesting last few weeks. Most recently both Rogan and Poptart have Anaplasmosis, a tickborne disease transmitted by the deer tick caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This was discovered by running routine annual bloodwork on both horses and finding minor abnormalities in their white blood cell count, low platelets, and slightly increased muscle enzymes. While having their annual dentistry, sheath cleanings, and osteopathy session Dr. Ann-Marie (Rectortown Equine Clinic) thought Poptart's muscles felt unusually stiff and tight. In light of the muscle tightness and bloodwork abnormalities she suggested screening for tickborne disease; both horses tested highly positive for Anaplasmosis. Luckily both horses are mainly asymptomatic (horses can have fever, lethargy, muscle stiffness, anorexia, edema, and skin hemorrhage/petechia among other signs) and they are readily eating their antibiotics in their special antibiotic feed mash twice daily. In just a few weeks they should be back to normal.
Prior to this, Poptart's pair of hind hoof renegade hoof boots arrived. The quality of the materials seemed excellent, very top-end! I carefully read the instructions for correctly adjusting the cable tension and boots to your horse's hoof. After several hours of frustration of trying to adjust each velcro strap overhang to be between 1/2 - 3/4" and having the cable tension of the heel captivator piece be just right I was just about ready to send the boots right back. Then I realized the velcro strap can be shortened too, oh... Needless to say that solved the fitting dilemma. On the first trial run we had a hard 13-14 mile ride in the snow/mud/slush (and don't forget the loads of rocks!) with almost 5000' elevation change. I had to replace the old easyboot epics on the front hooves 3-4 times as they came off in the difficult terrain. The new renegades never budged. After the ride Poptart's feet looked excellent, no signs of rubbing or chaffing from any of the boots. Success!!!!
But then I palpated Poptart's back and I paid careful attention to his loin area as Dr. Ann Marie had found that on the right side his last rib was 'out'. Poptart was sore on both the left and right sides (maybe worse on the right?) at the edge of the back muscle, about 4-5" down from the spine. His sweat pattern was great but obviously we were getting some inappropriate pressure on the back. The next day I examined the saddle and Poptart and found that the bottom edge of the saddle bar at the rear of the saddle was putting pressure in the sore area, the saddle bar seems slightly steeper than Poptart's back :( I am working with David, www.aboutthehorse.com, the saddle-maker and he is fantastic and helping me shim the saddle to correct the problem. Right now the shims are in-route via USPS. I am looking at some other saddles too as my current saddle (while amazing quality and comfy) is almost 25 lbs and possibly not quite right (but maybe workable) for Poptart. There are some really nice, adjustable/shim-able, very light weight (10 lbs) endurance saddles on the market that might hopefully be a good fit. Poptart only weighed 806 lbs at the vet, and while he probably could stand to gain at least 50 lbs he will always be a small horse. I would like my total rider + tack weight to not significantly exceed 20% of his weight. At 850 lbs of horse that means all my stuff and I can only weigh 170 lbs (and right now I am 142 lbs of that!) so having a lighter saddle may really help us out long-term.
On the bright side, Poptart's back soreness should be gone by the time he is done with his Anaplasma treatment and the riding weather is not the best recently... so a good time for a break if one must be had! Hopefully, we will be full steam of head for No Frills 30 mile Limited Distance ride on April 23!
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