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Working on Reined Cow Horse Training Journal
Tyrees Pearly Star's training...
Tyrees Pearly Star is our 2005 AQHA Perlino Stallion. He is 100% Foundation (calculated by Federation of Foundation Quarter Horses) and has been tested EE AA CrCr (Homozygous black, homozygous agouti and homozygous cream). For more about him begin at our stallion index !
NOTICE: Tyrees Pearly Star will be started under saddle March 2007
Update: February 23, 2007
Sonny went to the trainer. We will miss him while he is with trainer, Tom Neel, Neel Ranch Performance Horses, Milsap, Texas. Tom is a cutting / reining / reined cow horse / working cowhorse trainer as well as NCHA and NRCHA Judge.
(Since we were close to Stephenville, we stayed the weekend and got to see the 2007 'NRCHA Worlds Greatest Horseman'! It was such a great time! Naturally the fence work was the most thrilling to me. :))
Update: March 5, 2007
Ground work is going good. We look forward to visiting him in a few weeks.
Update: March 19, 2007
"Sonny" started under saddle last week. Is doing good in round pen. (Walk, trot, lope, turn and stop.) Using his hind end really well, moves well and is athletic.
Update: March 24, 2007
"Sonny" is getting ridden everyday now (for about the last ten days) and is doing good. He is loosing a little of his extra weight now, which is good. They seem pleased with his progress and we are really looking forward to visiting him.
Update: April 2, 2007
"Sonny" is learning at a good pace. They have started riding in the large arena and he is doing good.
Update: April 21, 2007
We got to visit with "Sonny"... we sure do miss him!
Update: May 14, 2007
"Sonny" is doing good riding and is still out with the other colts, which is great for working off some testosterone. We look forward to visiting / picking him up perhaps first part of June, we'll see.
Update: May 30, 2007
Tom says that Sonny is doing good and is stopping and turning with the buffalo, tracking. Being a stallion, his testosterone still gets in the way at times, but is pleased overall with him.
Update: June 25, 2007
Tom says that "Sonny" is really cowy, really wants to stop and is stopping good.
Update: August 11, 2007
We got to go and visit! Tom says that "Sonny" has enough cow, stop and is where he wants the two year olds to be and at this point; should have a nice career in working cowhorse. ~That is exactly where we hoped he would go, along with maybe some roping, mounted shooting... we'd like for him to have that all-around versatility :~)
Here's a pic:
Update: September 7, 2007
"Sonny" is doing really good. Tom says he is really pleased with his progress; he just keeps getting better and better and likes him; he is a nice colt.
Update: October 22, 2007
Tom says that "Sonny" is what they call 'cow smart' - he reads the cow, which is really good. He has the talent, disposition, ability, is capable and everything is right on track.
Update: November 27, 2007
Sonny was kicked by another horse (late October or so, just before he was brought in and got sliders) and has a fractured splint bone. We are told recovery from surgery to remove it should be about a couple of weeks. Please pray with us that he has a full and speedy recovery.
Update: November 29, 2007
To the vet for surgery.
Update: November 30, 2007
Surgery.
Update: December 5, 2007
Back to Tom's for stall rest for two weeks.
Update: December 18, 2007
Stitches out. Still has some swelling. Another week or ten days of rest and he should be ready to go back to work.
Update: December 29, 2007
Tom called today and Sonny is still sore and has the swelling. He will be going in for xrays on Monday.
Update: December 31, 2007
Complications... Xrays are cloudy; Sonny is sore to the touch and swollen. Possibly regrowing bone or infection - not sure, but things aren't right so they will be doing some sweats and meds for a week and if not cleared up may have to go back in. From what Tom gathered, it is a matter of when, not if, in regards to his soundness. Please pray with us.
Update: January 3, 2008
Jason thinks that they will need to go back in and said that its very rare to re-grow bone. He nor Dr Foland have seen it happen with this surgery and they don't believe that infection is the cause/issue of the cloudy xrays since Sonny has not, to date, had a drain tract from the original injury. They do want to give the antibiotic and sweats a try first and re-check him with another set of xrays. We are still praying and hope you are too!
Update: January 8, 2008
Jason (Dr Walter) called and is recommending surgery... Sonny is re-growing bone. (Not scar tissue.) Please continue to pray with us!
Update: January 9, 2008
Tom phoned today and Sonny has a runny nose and temperature. Dr Foland, the surgeon, has postponed surgery for a week to ten days. He will continue the sweats and antibiotics until that time. We appreciate your continued prayers!
Update: January 17, 2008
Sonny's temperature has gone down but he still has some discharge. Tom is ready to get started back with Sonny as soon as he can so that they can get ready for the Futurity in the fall; he has a good foundation so they can get legged up and move right along. (I imagine Sonny will like the attention!)
Update: January 23, 2008
Tom dropped Sonny off at the vet today. His second surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. Those of you who have been praying with us; we thank you so very much, really. We will update as we have information :)
Update: January 24, 2008
I phoned to check on Sonny this evening about 5pm and they had him on the table so naturally I was waiting for a report... was away from the phone a short time around 7:30 and Dr Foland called, so he left a message on the machine. He said that Sonny came through surgery and had stood up in the recovery stall. That is good... He also said however that there was lots of ugly angry bone in there; not sure what caused it and so they are sending some samples to Colorado State University to see if they can look at it microscopically and tell them what was going on. He also said it looked almost like tumor and that is what they are concerned about right now. I will call tomorrow to check on Sonny and to talk to Dr Foland. I have no idea how long it will take to get test results back from Colorado State.
Praying, when we don't know exactly how to pray or what to ask... so we just pray the Lord will work it all out... His way; and know that will be the best!
Update: January 25, 2008
Just spoke with Dr Foland and he said they are sending samples of both the bone and the soft tissue over it. They hope to rule out tumor. He is puzzled at the speed at which it grew and the angry appearance of it. (Part of it was into the canon bone itself... they chiseled as much as they felt they could, keeping in mind the soundness of the canon bone itself.) He said he is scratching his head about it... and really hopes that the pathologist can tell them something. He figures that the bone samples will take longer since they have to demineralize that - probably a couple of weeks.
He plans to keep Sonny for a few days and send him back to Tom on anti-inflammatory antibiotics next week with wraps again.
We have no idea what is going on so we are just asking the Lord to take care of it. And thanks, Olivia, for the comment If HE brings you to it, HE will bring you through it. :) So very true.
Update: January 26, 2008
I phoned Weatherford today just to check on Sonny and was able to speak with Dr Jason Walter. Jason said that Sonny had some loose stools for twelve hours or so but seems back to normal now and standing and eating in his stall. He estimated that Sonny will be able to go back to Tom's perhaps Tuesday. He said that Dr Foland didn't put internal sutures this time (as a precaution) on the chance that Sonny might have a reaction. (They did at the first surgery - it is normal proceedure.) He doesn't anticipate that to affect recovery time. Jason also said that given the situation, they will more than likely have him back in at about a week after surgery to re-wrap (again, trying to take every possible precaution).
Update: January 28, 2008
From the vet's office, I hear that Sonny just got his leg re-wrapped and got a bath. Everyone there loves him.
Update: January 29, 2008
From the vet's office, I am told that Dr Foland wants to keep Sonny there a couple more days. They said that Dr Foland was much more aggressive with the surgery this time since he re-grew bone after the last surgery. They are wanting to keep him as still as possible not to stress the leg anymore since he carved extensively in surgery and does not want to further compromise the weight bearing canon bone.
Update: January 30, 2008
Tom phoned to let us know that Lorna picked Sonny up today - he will get re-wrapped Monday and they will be able to look at him then.
Update: February 5, 2008
Jason went out to Tom's yesterday and did re-wrap Sonny. There was some swelling (soft, fluid like) but not like after the first surgery. They don't think it is infection.
Update: February 6, 2008
I left a message for Dr Walter just to make sure I understood Tom correctly...
Jason called back and said that when he re-wrapped Sonny on Friday there was more swelling than he expected. He suspects it is either 'serum' (sterile fluid) or 'pus' (associated with infection). He tried to see if any of the fluid would come out, but it wouldn't and the incission and stitches all look good. He and Dr Jeff Foland and they are thinking that if it were infection, the incission / stitches would be blowing out and they aren't.
Dr Walter also said that when Tom brings Sonny in Friday / Saturday to have the stitches taken out that they will take xrays. If the xrays do not show any bone activity they may draw the fluid off with a needle and perhaps test it. We may have more information toward the end of the week.
Update: February 8, 2008
Tom phoned yesterday evening after talking with Dr Walter to set up Sonny's appointment and Dr Walter said that Dr Foland wants to be there to see Sonny when he has the stitches removed and Dr Foland will not be in today, so it is being rescheduled for Monday.
Update: February 11, 2008
Woo Hoo! Tom just phoned- headed home from the vet with Sonny and the xrays looked good. He does still have some swelling (soft, fluid like) and they really aren't sure why. They want to re-wrap in a week and see then... they may drain, but really don't want to tap into it.
So thankful!!! :)
He didn't say anything about the results being back from Colorado, so I am not sure about that.
Update: February 14, 2008
I phoned yesterday to see if the results had come back from Colorado State University. Dr Foland was off so he just called and he said that basically that Colorado State University was scratching their head too. There was a lot of Fibroplasia / reactive bone and it is odd to have that much with no infection. They saw no signs of cancer or infection. PRAISE THE LORD!
Dr Foland said that Sonny still looks very swollen (soft tissue, possibly from the surgery itself) and it may take months and months to look normal. If the swelling doesn't go away, he said they may go in with a small incission or needle, and drain that fluid off. He hopes in 3 or 4 weeks to have him doing something... with extra protection over that. However at this time, considering all the unusual circumstances that have taken place, he cannot get too optimistic or say with certainty that Sonny's prognosis is a complete recovery... although he hopes.
Please continue to pray with us concerning this. We do appreciate your continued support. :)
Update: February 18, 2008
Dr Walter went out to Tom and Lorna's and re-wrapped Sonny. Tom was at the NRCHA competitions and didn't see it but said that Sonny didn't seem sore or lame but did still have some swelling. Dr Walter wanted to discuss it with Dr Foland (the surgeon) before they do any exercises with him or anything.
(Sounds encouraging to me! :))
Update: February 22, 2008
We got to talk with Dr Foland at Weatherford Equine and he showed us Sonny's xrays. He had not yet spoken with Dr Walter about Sonny re how he looked at re-wrap. He said they still don't know the WHY of things and that it could take months... a year for him to "look" normal again. I am sure they will xray some more in the coming weeks to and 'see' how it looks inside.
We stopped by the Neel's and saw Sonny before we went to Stephenville. (Ready to see the NRCHA events.... those down the fence runs!)
Update: February 24, 2008
On the way home from the NRCHA Championships and Worlds Greatest Horseman in Stephenville, we got to go by Tom and Lorna's and get some pics of Sonny! Yes, he is still wrapped, but it sure was good to see him. He is 14.3 hands / 1000 pounds, and I'd like to see him with more weight - after he recovers. Lorna said the farrier would be out tomorrow and they will see about bending his front leg to trim him and get the sliders off.
I had the lens hood on the camera and didn't realize it would show if not zoomed. Oh well... here they are bad angles (I am standing up in the barn on alot of them.), my mistakes and all...
Update: March 17, 2008
Tom phoned and had taken Sonny in to the vet... he still has the fluid (about golfball size) and so Dr Foland 'tapped' it to remove the fluid. He will be testing it. Tom did say that they walked, trotted Sonny and he is sound on it (PRAISE THE LORD). However Dr Foland doesn't want to really do exercising yet; he wants to find out "what" and "why" on the fluid first especially considering they still have no answers on the reactive bone which led to the second surgery. They have him in a pressure bandage and will change that after four days I think Tom said. I expect to talk with Dr Foland and I will need to ask him how long the testing will take on that fluid and if they did any xrays... I forgot to ask Tom.
Update: March 27, 2008
I phoned Weatherford Equine and they did indeed take xrays on the 17th (so glad, and hoping things looked ok there since I haven't heard otherwise). Hopefully I will get to speak with Dr Foland or Dr Walter about how they looked and see about the results from the fluid they drained.
Update: April 1, 2008
Spoke briefly with Dr Foland this morning and he said that the test results of the fluid didn't reveal much. It tested like serum and had no blood in it; showed no tumor cells (although he said that didn't mean there wasn't any), no infection...
He also said that the xrays from the 17th were not like before but do appear to show the beginning of more boney regrowth. He did say that they also sent the xrays to Dr McIlwraith to see if he had any ideas and he may be sending them to more orthopaedic surgeons who hopefully can network to see if anyone else has knowledge or input. He will try to get ahold of Dr McIlwraith today to see if he has had an opportunity to look over those xrays. (Dr C. Wayne McIlwraith - Colorado State University - Colorado)
Dr Foland advised Tom to start back lightly working and riding Sonny and keep the pressure bandage on when not working. He hasn't talked with Tom since but Dr Walter has been out a couple of times.
I phoned Tom and left a message and he called back...said that he and Jeff (Dr Foland) spoke this morning and he told him to start back lightly with Sonny and to keep him pressure wrapped otherwise. Dr Foland wants to re-check him in a couple of weeks.
Tom said that Sonny has a little bit of fluid back, since they drained on the 17th because it feels soft and was a dip/cavern but now is even/level from where they took the broken splint out back in November. He plans to let him trot around some in the round pen today.
Update April 9, 2008:
When Tom phoned yesterday he said he has been letting Sonny out in the round pen to move around since last Tuesday and that Sonny seemed like he was doing good and then yesterday he thought that Sonny seemed like he might be a little off. He didn't know if it was the leg or foot or what... or if he might just be looking for something.
He did say that they trimmed quite a bit off his toes because he had not been trimmed since they couldn't bend his leg due to the wrapping (since the first surgery at the end of November - glad he is finally getting the sliders off).
He should be re-checked next week. I would imagine they will xray again.
I haven't spoken with Dr Foland again to see if he has talked to Dr McILwraith.
Please don't stop praying folks. We really do appreciate it.
Update April 14, 2008:
Tom left a message this evening late that they had taken Sonny to the vet for his checkup.
He said that last Friday night he was real sore, but was better yesterday (Tuesday). The radiographs looked good and Jeff (the surgeon, Dr Foland) was pleased. They "blocked" him since there was concern that it could be the splint bone. There was some swelling around the coffin bone and they think there was an abcess in his foot and that Dr Foland said there wasn't enough to worry with 'injecting' him so they will be giving him bute for a couple of days and possibly trim his toes some more and see.
I hope to talk with Tom today and maybe Dr Foland.
Update April 15, 2008:
I phoned Dr Foland this morning and he said that he was initially very concerned yesterday as was Tom, about Sonny's soreness. So they did a nerve block on him and blocked at the ankle... and he was really pretty sound. The soreness seems to be in the pastern / foot area and could have been a stone bruise or he could have strained something.
As far as the splint area, the site looks better he said. It isn't painful to palaption. He was pleased that the radiographs were about the same as last time. One or two looked like there may be some smoothing out although there is really no noticable difference.
Dr Foland said that he was able to talk with another one of the Orthopedic Surgeons in the research lab at Colorado State University. (Dr McIlwraith has not been able to go over the info.) He seemed to remember one other case which with an abnormal reaction like Sonny but hadn't followed it all the way through to know if there was a total resolution/recovery and he really had no additional input other than if they do another surgery they might try a drug called Tildrin (not sure I spelled that correctly) which affects the way the bone remodels. It comes from France and is about $1200.00 per treatment, so Dr Foland said they don't like to use it unless they know for certain that it will work.
He will re-check Sonny in a month unless Tom feels like he needs to see him sooner.
I didn't get to return Tom's call as we were leaving early... (my cell phone died last week; sim card went haywire - gotta get a replacement...)
Later same day:
When we got home, I returned Tom's call and he again said that Jeff was very happy with Sonny's radiographs.
He also said that they are thinking and hoping that the soreness is due to an abcess in his foot and that they will trim his toes back some more. The farrier has not been out to check him but Tom said hopefully that would be soon.
I will talk to him later this week maybe or first of next week to see how Sonny is when he is not on bute.
Update April 24, 2008:
I phoned Tom to check on Sonny and he said that basically he has just been letting him out in the round pen to play and exercize himself. He did say that he is sore and has some swelling in his ankle as of yesterday but hasn't talked to Jeff to see if he wants to check him now or give him a few days or give him bute for a couple of days. (I actually remembered to ask him and he said that yes, Sonny got his sliders off shortly after we were there but the farrier hasn't been out to trim lately so Tom trimmed a tad off his toes. Also double checked with him that they did xray Sonny's foot area when they were at the vet last and they didn't see anything in the xray that might be the cause of soreness.)
Update April 29, 2008:
I spoke briefly with Tom this morning to check on Sonny and he said that Sonny is 'more sound'. He talked to Jeff (Dr Foland, the surgeon) and Jeff said to wean Sonny off the pressure wraps and go ahead and put shoes on him. He is just a little 'off' and Jeff doesn't KNOW why he has a little swelling in that ankle, but that it isn't normally a place for infection (not to say there couldn't be some) but maybe he sprained it. When they xrayed the foot on the last vet visit, they had a pretty clear view of his ankle and there were no chips.
I sure do want him sound!
[Sigh] Really wanna go up and talk with Tom; don't know if that will happen before mid to later May - if then - due to our schedule.
Update May 7, 2008:
I spoke briefly with Tom this morning to check on Sonny and he said that he hasn't made an appointment for Sonny but will get that done... he still has the swelling behind the ankle and it is sore to the touch although he seems only "slightly off" on it. Jason (Dr Walter) said they might ought to ultrasound it. (Forgot to ask him if the farrier had been out.)
Update May 12, 2008:
Tom phoned with an update on Sonny. He had an appointment today with Dr Foland and they checked the splint. There was a little more activity on the tip of the splint. He still has some swelling at the ankle area which they think is like a "cast burn" - he is tender on the ankle and a little "off" (about like when they blocked him at the last visit). Jeff told Tom to wean him off the wraps (start wrapping every other day) and use boots when riding... start him out slowly and see. (He also mentioned injecting his coffin if the soreness were to worsen. *Now, if you have any experience in this we would love to hear from you. I don't like the sound of injecting and I need to study up.))
Tom said it was all really good news - not great, but really pretty good; I cried. I guess I am just tired so please say a prayer for us as well as Sonny. And Tom and Lorna too.
Update July 14, 2008:
Talked to Tom today...
Spoke with Tom earlier today. He said that Sonny is doing good in his training but he is still a little off in that left foot and he is sometimes stiff to the left trying to protect it in the turns. It isn't getting better and really isn't getting worse he says... although he did say if he rides him real hard there might be a slight increase but he isn't sure. Tom would like to go ahead and have his coffin joint injected and try to get him ready for some futurities. He has scheduled an appointment for tomorrow for the injection. Tom will be leaving Wednesday headed to show and that scheduling will allow for Sonny to have off a few days after the injection.
Tom said he feels good about going on with Sonny in his training... but thinks if does need to be injected in order to move on.
I am not knowledgeable about injecting the coffin and telephoned Weatherford Equine and left a message for Dr Jason Walter, in hopes of getting things explained to me. I don't want to get into a pattern of pain relief in order to compete. I want to find out what is causing the problem.
So we will see how this goes; hopefully he won't need alot more injections... and see if he will move forward or come home.
Will update as we can!
Update, later same day:
Dr Walter returned my call in regards to the "coffin joint injections" and how they will affect or help Sonny... he said that when there is inflamation in a joint, the fluid becomes "watery" and painful instead of being "think and cushiony" like it is supposed to be.
What they will do is drain some of the fluid that is there and inject a synthetic form of hylenoic (?sp) acid as well as steriods. This should allow the body to again, begin to make the normal fluid.
Dr Walter explained these types of injections are common within performance horses and are like unto the injections that people get when they have arthritis. He said that they still have not been able to confirm the underlying cause of the issue via radiographs.
I need to remember to ask when they will check the splint again for any bone activity.
Update September 3, 2008:
I phoned Tom this morning and he said that Sonny is "much more sound" since the injection... maybe not 100% but much better. (Naturally I want him 100%!) He also said Sonny was a "little too green" to take him to the show in Colorado this week. Wants to get him a little quicker. And some days, he is a little studdy.
Update October 13, 2008:
Tom phoned Saturday (October 11, 2008) at about 5:00pm... on his way to the vet with Sonny. He wasn't feeling well this morning (was runny and had rolled and was uncomfortable). Tom put him out in the pen so he could run around and he did. (He also gave him some banamine.) After lunch he washed him up and put him back in the stall. Then about 4:30pm Tom was concerned about him and got ahold of Dr Foland. They want to take some blood for bloodwork and examine him. (Tom didn't think he was impacted his bowels seemed to be moving fine before he loaded him to go to the vet.)
The intern Dr from the vet's office phoned about 6:30pm. Sonny is hydrated, color is good, pulse is good, temperature is ok, gut motility sounds good, they are waiting on the results from blood work to make sure he doesn't have any infection. She is over-hydrating him with fluids and has oiled and sedated him. He was mild to moderately uncomfortable even with the banamine. She wanted to let us know where they were at this point so we could be thinking whether or not he would be a candidate for surgery if needed. (They would do more bloodwork if things worsen, to check his protein levels before making any call on the necessity of surgery.) They will keep him and watch him overnight and see if he passes the oil (normally that would take 24-36 hours). She did say that "no news is good news from us". :) and "he sure is cute". (I hope not to hear from 'em!)
Sunday morning, October 12, 2008 Tom phoned and had talked to Jeff who reported that Sonny when let out during the night to move about; did so and again seemed uncomfortable when put back in the stall. (Last time being about 11pm.) Tom pulled into the office when we were on the phone and said he was going in to check on Sonny since the gate was open. He called back in a few minutes saying Sonny seemed bright eyed and looking good. (Kinda like he was wondering why he hadn't yet been fed - since it was mid-morning LOL). He did say that Sonny hadn't yet passed the oil but due to the time elapsed, that wasn't of concern at this point.
Update Monday, October 13, 2008:
I phoned Weatherford and Kathy told me Dr Foland said that Sonny was doing good and they were going to slowly start introducing grain. She didn't know when he would go back to Tom's. (I failed to get the intern's name Saturday, I was on my cell phone and you know how that is... anyway Kathy said she though it was probably Carrie. So thanks to Carrie for her thoroughness in letting me know 'how things were' and outlining the plan.)
Update Tuesday, October 14, 2008:
Tom picked Sonny up around lunch! (YEAH I am so thankful!) Said he's bright eyed and looking good. Also said that Jeff said the leg looks good. (Don't think they xrayed it - just looked at it.) Tom said Sonny hasn't been sore on it.
Update Thursday, November 6, 2008:
Tom said Sonny got a little sore... Tom had been gone for a few days (to Utah or Idaho) and when he got back Sonny seemed a little sore - not really lame, but a little sore so he gave him a few days off and now he seems ok. Sonny was gone to the vet when the farrier was there last so he'll be back next week and they can get him trimmed; he's a little long. He said he gets a little studdy in times of prosperity and grunts around until he gets tired and is able to relax his body and get back into the swing of things.
Update Saturday, January 3, 2009:
Tom says Sonny is sound... and naturally he is glad of that, as are we! :) I am very, very thankful!!! He also said that Sonny is doing good; he wants him to get his feet moving quicker... most times he is ready to go to work but at times he is so busy flexing his muscles to show the ladies how good he looks that it's hard to get those feet moving :) He is maturing though so it is getting better. Anyway, a bit faster and he can show him. We have been struggling, so that is good news. Our situation is not the same as when he went into training and in the coming months we will have to evaluate everything and talk with Tom too, to see what we'll be looking at to show him... sooner or later...
Update Sunday, September 5, 2009:
Well, we hated to, but we picked up Sonny - he's back home - and we're glad about that! It was SO good to see him and we got to visit for a bit with Tom and Lorna and get a few pictures of Sonny - and got to see him ride for the first time in 7 months or so... Tom and Lorna both said they hated we weren't going to be able to show him in reined cowhorse - that he's a good horse.
Here are some pics from that day:
Keep checking back - we hope to have some updates and begin his breeding career in 2010.
Update Saturday, October 17, 2009:
Just reading back through some of the journal today... and saw back in July 08 where I'd written that Tom said Sonny was off on his 'left' - but his broken splint bone was on the right and if I remember right, I asked Tom about it too - if it was the leg he had the surgery on and he said yes (but then I forgot to go back and add that in the journal)... you know, it was quite a time of us going through all that... the initial injury, surgery, recovery, another surgery, continued recovery... waiting and hoping - not to mention the cost involved. I guess I was just mulling over things today, looking out there at the beautiful horse and wondering 'what if'. I doubt we'll ever put another one in training for big time competition.
But all things work together for the good of those who love HIM and are the called according to HIS purpose. |
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