Sorry my update has been so long in coming but things have been hectic here. Various things, not the least of which has been Scimitar's (Bunny's) attempts to escape from his sling. To briefly recap: the first time he merely sat down and slid his front legs out the back (some contortionist, huh?) and the second time he bucked so hard that he broke the pulley. Fortunately he was smart enough to lay there until we could rescue him.
We have since taken him out of the sling twice. The first time was Friday, April 5th. He was standing so well we decided to keep the sling part on (it is soooo hard to get back under him) and just unhook the frame---- BAD idea! We didn't take off the butt panel and it lay loose on his butt, frightening him and he simply sat down. We unhooked it and he attempted to stand, but it required too much strength for his one hind leg--- the right hind--- and he was unable to stand from a laying position. We let him rest for a few days. The first day he was REALLY happy. Loved the rest on his legs and did what he'd been wanting to do for weeks!! He rolled in the shavings! After a few days he got depressed. On Tuesday the 9th we knew we had to raise him again--- that he still didn't have the confidence and perhaps strength to get up on his own. We had already discovered that he could raise himself to a sit position allowing us to attach the belly portion of the sling and give him a boost. This he did for the second time. From there he stood up on his own and we had to feverishly raise the cable holding the frame so that he would not hit his head or neck. We did this and he was standing again. I used the AlphaSonic (thank you again, Susan) and really concentrated on his legs. He was rested and after a few days we could really see the change from the chi-gong machine--- MUCH more coordinated in his hind feet and walking in circles in the barn with much improved coordination. He used the sling only for occasional balance. Helena and Chris had worked Ttouch on him that Monday, the 8th, while he was lying down and Helena had been able to get to some of Michel Kaplan's neurokinesiology points in the groin that were hard to reach with the sling on. All was looking good. On Friday, the 12th, we decided to give it another go, THIS time removing the butt and chest pieces first. The moment we detached the frame and he realized he was on his own, he panicked and sat down. It was obvious that the frame was providing a BIG emotional support for him. We would have to build his confidence. As much risk as there was in using the tow truck, we had no other option. Yesterday, Sunday, the 14th, we tied straw onto the back and, (having let him rest his legs a couple of days in the barn), we pulled him out of the barn and "encouraged" him to sit up. We tried cheering, bribing, yelling, ignoring--- everything--- but he was afraid and resisted. Then I got the idea of Halyne's baby! She had been born in the stall right across form him on Easter and I would open her door so he could watch her. She even escaped over to him once and he just LOVED her. I marched the mare and foal in front of him and he finally sat up--- he couldn't hold out any longer. We slipped the sling under him and raised him up quickly. Next we secured the butt and chest panels and -- yes--- we took him for a WALK!!! He was a bit unsteady at first but grew more sure with every step. The sling was a good 2 inches beneath his body and just providing him with a little support when he got unstable--- mostly emotional support. The whole pasture came over to the fence to cheer him on--- no kidding!! Like when a new foal is born! He was soooo proud of himself!! We went VERY slow (which unfortunately limits our walks lest we burn up the clutch on the tow truck) but he got more and more steady with every step. We rested him a little after appox. 100 yards and then let him walk past the barn and into a paddock under a tree where we parked the tow truck in the shade. There he can see all the horses in pasture, but unfortunately cannot move much lest he hurt himself, the tow truck or both (Pete has been soooo patient with us and such a good friend to Bunny). Today Bunny is rearing to go, but we have to be careful of the clutch. Pete is going to try to slow down the idle enough that we can go into a granny??? gear and go slow enough for him without riding the clutch. In the meantime he is VERY hot to trot and I don't want him to lose momentum. Seemed to be in very good spirits this AM. The only down side is that I am too far away to use the AlphaSonic. Next time we walk him I can stop by the barn to use it on him. It is really important at this time! Any mechanics out there have ideas on saving Pete's clutch? I know I keep promising pics but it took me around 12 hours to do that picture page before. Should be easier this time as I know the program but then I filled up my hard drives making a family video for my Aunt's 90th b-day and now my husband's 2 dad's/stepdads both have their bdays in April and you know I can't use the exact same footage in BOTH! (politically incorrect to feature both sets of parents!) Help is on the way as I just bought another 80 gig hard drive and can now download pics again. Now I have to find the time when I am not too zombied out at night to do the deed. I know I have to do it soon or all of you will think I've just made this whole thing up! It does sound too good to be true--- and I am LIVING it! We video'd the whole walk and I'll make a stab at lifting the stills soon. Until then, send good wishes. We are on the home stretch! He just needs to remember how to walk again. Thanks for your support! Bette and Bunny -- Bette Lamore Whispering Oaks Arabians Home of 16.2h TLA Halynov who lives on through his legacy Hal's Riverdance! http://www.arabiansporthorse.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
