Recheck #2

Dakota had her 3rd appointment with Dr. Riddle last wednesday, just as a re-check to see where we were as far as healing. Hauled there with Sara because she wanted to get Cisco's left front leg checked out (which ended up being a navicular diagnosis =( ). Cisco never rode on the second stall of a horse trailer (come to think of it, Kota never has either), so Dakota was unloaded then reloaded many times that day. She gave a little trouble, but always ended up getting on the trailer. I think she was getting a little rusty from not loading all winter... She was not a pro-loader by any means, but she did well.

Lets see as far as diagnosis... It was FREEZING that day, so Dr. Riddle just watched her move by me jogging her up and down the cement barn aisle. He said she seemed a little stiff in her left hock actually, and said that may be due to the uneven distribution from the right stifle injury. Either way, it all could be due to the fact she has not been worked in quite some time. He also re-ultrasounded her stifle to see how the meniscus was healing..and I am happy to report she is 85-90% healed!! So, once the weather starts getting better I am allowed to start legging her back up..all straight line stuff for now, but I can bring her back into barrels come spring. Once she's back into full work I have to take her back to see how she's handling it. Dr. Riddle says she may need maintenence, possible hock/stifle injections...I hope not ridiculous amounts, but we have to wait and see. Overall he seemed very optimistic and told me "Just keep doing what you're doing, she looks good."

Cannot tell you how much that made my week! Baby girl may be able to barrel race after all! Maybe we'll work on that loading for now while the weather gets better.