Dr. Fernando came today to see Cook. I was extremely appreciative because he is going to be out of town and so he squeezed Cook in between a few appointments. Although I like all the vets at his clinic, I really wanted Fernando to see her personally, cause he has been the only one to treat her the last 3 years.

Long story short. Cook made a fibber out of me at every turn.

“Shes’ not a good lunger” - Um. apparently she is when Fernando is watching.

“She’s not sound” - Um. apparently she is when Fernando is watching.

so it was ALL good news! He did her flexions and they are BETTER than they were 1 year ago. Are you kidding me?!!? Her left hind ankle was a ‘3′ (non horsey people… 3 equals bad), a year ago and now its’ only a ‘1′. Her front legs didn’t even register. She trotted out and cantered nicely, soundly.

She did register some hock soreness but he did not think it was time for injections. YES! I was worried about that.

Treatment: Doing a round of the Legends series. Lighter work load. 4 days a week, every other day. No jumping. Continue with glucosimine.

He’ll see her again in 2 weeks for fall shots and will follow up then to see if shes’ better. If shes’ better, have a nice life. If she’s not, then we cross that bridge when we come to it.

** Edited to add: I did ask Fernando what he thought about her weight and he said (quote) “Its’ perfect”. So that is ALL Mere! yay! Give us ur thin thoroughbreds that won’t gain weight!

He also said that her feet looked “great”. So I have to remember to tell Loren the Farrier that.

The last thing he said was that she looked really healthy and well taken care of. (well, YEAH. Who doesn’t know that?!?! she has her own website and 2 scrapbooks!)

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Kathy asked about the Legends.  I’m doing a series of 3 shots over 3 weeks.  (Aaron will come out to give the shot via IV….  I cannot learn to stick my own horse.)

Here is some information about it.

LEGEND
(hyaluronate sodium)

The most remarkable results we have experienced involved the intravenous application of “Legend” injectable solution. Available by prescription, Legend hyaluronate sodium readily converts to hyaluronic acid in the joint. High concentrations of hyaluronic acid are found in synovial fluid, the lubricating liquid of joints. Hyaluronic acid exerts an anti-inflammatory action in the joint. It also appears to regulate normal cellular constituents in a way that decreases enzyme release and degradation of joint integrity. It has no known significant side effects and virtually all of the horses we witnessed that had even relatively advanced arthritis in stable joints showed visible improvement after receiving a series of injections.

Hyaluronic acid is found in certain microorganisms. In Legend, hyaluronic acid is extracted from Streptoccus spp. and is purified to a form that is free of protein and nucleic acids. Since Legend originates from a microbial source, there is no potential for contamination with dermatin, chondroitin sulfate or any other glycosaminoglycan.

In layman’s terms Legend is safe to use in conjunction with oral supplements and there are no contraindications listed on the Legend package insert.