When Lakota was at U.C. Davis, we were told that Lakota would have to have his leg wrapped for 2-3 months. Rehabilitation would be complete in that time & no one seemed to agree on the final outcome. During the Cal-ILA meeting in the first part of March, we had a chance to talk with Dr. Mora & Dr, Ferraria. Both seemed to agree that Lakota would need to be kept wrapped for 5-6 months or more.
When Lakota's bandage has been removed for changing, his foot & toes drop downward. He has no control over holding his foot in an upward position.He also hsas some loss of control over the lateral movement of his pastern area - it wobbles back & forth. We have seen some improvement in this area. Lakota has been fairly patient with the bandage changing process.
Lakota was allowed outside in an adjoining paddock on March 18th. He was allowed out for only an hour at a time and has worked up to spending the day outside and coming back into the stall at night. The first week he acted 'silly' for a minute or two after being let out. He finally found that his leg hurt when he did this, so now he behaves himself. On March 25th he was allowed to have access to both the stall and paddock. He snorts at the other males but he will not attempt to run or act silly.
We change Lakota's leg bandage every Thursday. On March 27th we noticed that the wound area and the scent gland were looking moist & weepy. That day we put on a half length wrap to allow this area to dry out. We looked for any swelling above the new bandage, but we lucked out. No swelling occurred and the wound area has dried out nicely.
In mid April, during a bandage change, Lakota moved his bare leg forward in the chute. Much to our delight, the toe stayed in an upward position! A problem though- due to the lack of a working tendon, the joint at the pastern pops forward. In the weeks to follow, the toe continued to stay upward while changing the bandage in the chute. In mid April we also changed the type of bandage Lakota wears. It no longer goes up his leg. We use heavy padding, for stability, and only wrap his pasturn to toes. This seems to work as long as he does not act silly. We have noticed that when he DOES act up, he pulls his leg up & then will calm down. It seems he knows his limits.
We are hoping some control over this movement will later occur & are looking into possible devices that will support the lower half of his tendon. Much work lays before us.
His show career is not looking hopeful.
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