supercharging charles

I didn't really write much about it, but Charlie has gotten a shit ton of extra therapies over the last 8 weeks, mostly in conjunction with the most acute phases of pain.

exhibit a: one TB in need of some TLC

Specifically, we have a Magna Wave practitioner on-farm multiple days a week, especially in the early hours. And she's been uber flexible about fitting Charlie into her schedule. 

Her method is to start with a full body treatment, then follow up on subsequent days with targeted micro treatments. To this end, she has this neat little platform that the horse can stand on, with the magna wave tubes built inside for targeted hoof treatments. 

exhibit b: barn manager michael

I didn't write about it bc.... Well, I didn't take many pictures. It really is that simple lol. But I snapped plenty from Charlie's chiro / acupuncture session yesterday --- for the explicit purpose of recounting all his various therapies throughout the abscess saga. So... You're welcome? 

he's very helpful

Anyway. I'm not necessarily like, a diehard PEMF believer, or anything. But.... Charlie enjoys being pampered, and he was in so much pain... 

Plus, I trust that practitioner's judgement and it can be reassuring to have somebody objective step in to evaluate and assess the animal every few days, right in the thick of things. 

also useful to have cute ponies around, too

It just gives me more confidence to have more folks to talk to... Talk about his level of pain, talk about how we're doing the wraps... All the things. And ya know, make sure Charlie felt cared for and attended to. Plus, theoretically, the magna wave maybe also produced at least a little bit of relief, even if just on the short term. 

All told, I think he got maybe 2 full body comprehensive PEMF treatments, then a handful more targeted to specifically his foot.  

"derp" -- charles, feeling feelings

He also saw his chiro / acupuncturist a few weeks ago too -- in what was supposed to be his big grand post-introduction-to-equioxx return to higher performance. I scheduled that appointment thinking we'd be priming the Charlie pump to get back into high gear. But instead, she was just one more appointment in triaging his latest ding-tastrophe. 

he likes to yawn directly into my face. hard to catch on camera

That's how it goes, tho, ya know? But! We managed to get the chiro / acupuncturist back out again yesterday -- the day after Charlie got his shoe back on. So, kinda back onto the original plan again anyway, just after a slight delay lol.

apparently they come in different sizes!

It was good to see her, too. We all already know Charlie's in kinda pitiful shape at the moment... Stall rest is hard on his high-mileage body. Plus, he's got a fair amount of compensation-related baggage that's still resolving (tho every day on turnout improves things). 

mmmmm stabby jabbies!

Luckily his chiro, who has known him since he first came off the track, feels generally pretty zen about his condition. He's honestly clearly a happy (albeit slightly feisty) horse right now. There are no obvious signs of gastric complaints, even tho he's definitely lost weight. And while his hind end shows signs of unusual wear from compensation, she feels confident that regular under saddle work will be enough to resolve that.

somebody know where i can order a fresh new topline, asap?

I don't know how much the regular PEMF appointments during stall rest impacted his condition... But, eh, I'm inclined to think it was just one more protective measure in helping keep the ship afloat, so to speak. And maybe is part of why the horse is looking so fresh basically immediately upon coming sound. 

the wild animal himself lol.... doing walk-canter transitions on hills as if 
he's reading the internet comments LOL

Whatever the case, it's just such a relief to see Charlie looking good and happy again. Honestly have never seen him in as much pain as he was with this abscess.... which.... is kinda wild when you think about it. It was intense there for a minute. 

But we're moving on to the next phase: rehab and rebuilding. AND. Omg, I've already got my first lesson scheduled. Sure sure, haven't even trotted or cantered the horse yet, or even ridden him in a ring lol.... But it's coming. And I'm super excited!