Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Yesterday was another milestone in River's recovery from a bout of laminitis -- and time for another round of x-rays to look at how the bones in her two front feet are doing.  I am happy to say that her condition continues to improve, though we are still trying to pin down the underlying cause for the laminitis, as well as chart a path for her long term care to minimize future flair-ups.

[As a side note, technology is a wonderful thing in the equine veterinary field.  The vet can bring portable x-ray equipment to the barn, take an x-ray and get an x-ray image almost immediately on a laptop screen.  At the end of the process, I get a CD of images that I can take home and look at, as well as export images as photos and send them to my farrier, another critical team member in River's recovery.]

In addition to having to stand for x-rays, River was also subjected to a blood draw (for an endocrine test to see if the underlying cause of laminitis can be determined) and her annual dental work.  As always, she was quite the trooper, including standing still for a significant period (well... most of the time) for multiple x-ray images.

I peppered the vet with questions about her follow-on care (yep, I'm an engineer -- I have my list!) -- remain with a hay only diet; anti-inflammatories on a regular basis; additional hoof trimming on the front....  After the vet left, I had a chance to reflect.  River is now out of the immediate crisis phase and moving into the longer term managed-care phase.  She is comfortable on her feet, but she has a long way to go, with the possibility of having another occurrence.

The door has been slightly opened to the possibility in the near-term future (weeks) that I may actually get to ride her to do some very light exercise -- which I find exciting and scary at the same time.  Scary as I want to be careful not to exacerbate her condition.

River has come so far in these past few months -- bringing me along with her as I get a crash course on laminitis.  Her slow and steady progress will be the key to a long and comfortable life for her and a long-term equine friendship for me.  The recovery requires lots of patience on my part -- River is always patient;  she takes what comes to her with equanimity.

In practicing patience, I have developed a stronger bond with River as I now spend time with her in other ways than riding, like leisurely grooming sessions and baths.  I have to remind myself periodically, though,  that slow and steady will ultimately win this race.

And the patience I am learning through this experience is helping me in other areas of my life where previously I may have acted more quickly than I should.  Patience is certainly a virtue in all areas of our lives.  Sometimes it takes a significant event to teach that lesson.

River takes a drink after some grooming time.