Stifle Problem!

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE I LOST THE INITIAL E-MAILS ON THIS ISSUE :( BUT TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND, DAVID AND LINDA NOTICED THAT MADELINE WAS HAVING LOCKING IN HER HIND LEGS AND BEING THE WONDERFUL DONKEY PARENTS THEY ARE, THEY OF COURSE LOOKED INTO IT RIGHT AWAY! BESIDES A GRANDMA'S CONCERN FOR MY LITTLE GRAND-DONKEY, AS HER BREEDER I WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND ASKED LINDA TO CONFER WITH HER VET AS TO HEREDITY.

LINDA SENT ME A DETAILED E-MAIL WITH ALL THE INFORMATION AFTER THE VET VISIT WHICH I CANNOT FIND AT THIS TIME EITHER :( BUT IT LISTED TREATMENT OPTIONS AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT HEREDITY, WHICH WAS A RELIEF!

LINDA'S E-MAIL AFTER THE VET REPORT:

Yes, its good news it's not hereditary, you'll just have to watch for it in your others as although it's not hereditary it's extreme staight confirmation that can bring it on to the young newbies. Like she said, some will get it and some won't. But yes, it can either correct on its own, but if it does not then you do the injections and that fixes it. But the injections because it has iodine in the solution it stings bad for about 2 days.......it does that as it shrinks the soft tissue and scars it so the fit of the patela meshes with the joints.

When you hear popping sounds in the back legs as they walk, that is a sign it's coming on the newbie. And like I said, it happens around the 9th to 12th month if it's going to happen.......then it can linger till 2 to 2 1/2.

But yes, overall it's good news, it's fixable. Surgery is a option too but is used generally on larger equine, not used on minis unless they have caused severe patela damage. That is why they do not recommend a mini that has this syndrome to continue with it's flaw past the 2 1/2 year mark.

So..........Ms. Madeline will have to continue her trotting daily or at least 3 times a week with us around the neighborhood. And we will have to take her over to Reach 11 at least once to twice a week to trot her in deep sand.......she recommended using one of the arenas or a round pen. And, we are to try to teach her to lunge which she said will be a trick as donkeys do not see why they have to lunge. But we are to try and see if we can get her to do it as that would work well for in the turn-out here at home. She thinks because Madeline is so in tune to us and socialized that she very well might lunge for us as she might think it's a game. So, we shall see.

I hope all this helps you considerably so you will know what to watch for, and what to do if you see one of the newbies getting this syndrome. The stiff legged on the back in walking was visible right around 8 months, then at 9 months you heard the popping as she walked. The stifle sticking on one leg started at 13 months and is still present from time to time at 15 months which is now. And now she is in what is called the worst part of it that will linger as her body finishes the developing stages of soft tissue and muscle in those areas. This is why those supplements I told you about that she has to take are so important now.....as they work to address the soft tissue and muscle/ligaments around those areas.

David and I will be in exceptional shape after we get through all this with Madeline.............keeping her trotting as much as we can, that is for sure. But, luckily she has us, because we will do it for her.

Have a good weekend.........we are riding Cave Creek tomorrow just a day ride. Then coming home in the afternoon to work with Madeline around the neighborhood and see if we can get her to lunge in the turn out.

David and Linda

AS YOU CAN WELL IMAGINE I AM ONE THANKFUL GRANDMA, THAT DAVID AND LINDA ARE SO COMMITTED TO DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR MADELINE!

AND PLEASE, WE WOULD ALL APPRECIaTE ANY PRAYERS YOU WOULD CARE TO SEND FOR A FULL AND EASY RECOVERY FOR MADELINE!!!

Grooming

AN AzBCR MEMBER ASKS:

How do you keep that low to the ground girl so well groomed. She is just precious.

LINDA'S RESPONSE:

Are you kidding, she loves the brush and comes a running when you have it in hand. We just clip with clippers her head and ears and crop her mane every couple months as the Mr. in our house likes her clean shaved on her face, jaws and ears..........the rest we just leave long on her body. Although her Granny (paintedpromise) likes them woolly faced, but I think she's gettin used to seeing Ms. Madeline clean faced all the time.

She's just well loved, and loves the attention she gets.

I GUESS IT JUST LOOKS FUNNY TO ME TO HAVE A FUZZY BODY AND A SHAVED FACE! I MUST ADMIT I DO LIKE THEM FUZZY {GRIN} BUT I ALSO LIKE TO SEE THEIR FACES - AND BODIES! - WHEN THEY SHED OUT IN SUMMER. IT JUST DOESN'T LAST LONG TILL THEY START GETTING FUZZY AGAIN.

And Yet ANOTHER New Toy!

AzBCR POST FROM LINDA:

Okay, here is Ms. Madeline...........all packed and ready to go......and carrots in tow in her panniers.




And with her little brother "Gus".........
as Madeline learns to lead along in travel with her brother.






and here she is with just her pack saddle........




Till next time........

David and Linda


RESPONSE FROM AzBCR MEMBER KANDACE:

She looks absolutely disgusted with you. It looks like she is saying, "Do you not know WHO I AM?! I do not do common mule labor!".

I love her new wardrobe. It is terrific! Did you have to have them made for her or did you find mini size pack saddles?

Too darn cute.

LINDA'S REPLY:

We found the mini horse/donkey/llama/goat pack saddles on line ............panniers of various sizes. She pretty well accepts just about anything we attach her to or put her in, kind of like dressing a doll. She toted the thing around the block a time or two and got used to its movement before we took her out with Gus.

David and Linda

AND GRANDMA JUST GRINS, KNOWING THAT LITTLE MISS MADELINE IS SPOILED - BUT NOT ROTTEN!

Teaser

LINDA'S AzBCR POST:

This is a teaser for you................

Ms. Madeline got a new toy that arrived the other day................Now you'll just have to tune in and wait for possibly Sunday when we can take her out after it dries out some here, and show you what it is.

Tune in for pictures.

David and Linda

AND IN CASE YOU AREN'T LOCAL IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW WE HAD A TON OF RAIN THIS WEEK TO UNDERSTAND MY RESPONSE:

I know, Ii know, it's a ROWBOAT!!!!! What else could she need in this weather?

I saw your new post and clicked thinking it would be SWIMMING pictures lol...

Info on Cart Training

ON AzBCR, KANDACE ASKS:

What a cutie. Is she pulling weight in her cart yet? Did she pull weight in Cave Creek or led with her cart? She looks so proud of herself.

AND LORI COMMENTS:

I saw her at Sophie's Flat on New Year's Day and she is still adorable. Stupid me forgot to take pictures. Sorry! Next time!

THEN LINDA ANSWERS:

Nope, no weight pulling in her cart, too young yet as she's 1 year 3 months old right now. She'll pull weight when she is 2 yr. but she loves her cart . For the Cave Creek parade she had a 2 ft tall stuffed Santa in her cart and some packages and was led. We unfortunately did not get any pictures of her as there was just no time in getting her ready, and helping with others that Susan had brought - but they were all little cuties.

For New Years weekend, we forgot to get the camera in the rig for the 4 days of camping at Sophie's Flat - or you'd have had pictures of her and the Llama at camp site.........But she's been going places, and lots more to go yet - she's well loved. We'll try to get some pictures of her on her next few upcoming camp outs this month and next..........she even has her week long catered ride in March in Skull Valley with the Caballo Del Sol......so she is a busy little donkey.

We did see her cousin John Henry over Christmas, he is 34 inches tall these days and Ms. Madeline is 31 3/4 inch.........but she is the one packed full of personality.

David and Linda

I KNOW, BAD MOM AND BAD GRANDMA, BUT SERIOUSLY WE REALLY WERE VERY BUSY AT THE PARADE AND THEN WHEN WE WOULD HAVE HAD TIME TO TAKE PICTURES IT WAS DARK!