Bend in the road

Once again, months have passed since I have written but I am documenting another big event so here goes: today D was officially diagnosed with Cushings Disease or PPID. I have a lot to learn about this disease but as I understand it- his pituitary gland is impacted which affects his endocrine system.
I first noticed something was wrong when I brought D in and he was breathing very hard, similar to when a dog pants. Horses cool down similar to humans and since he wasn't sweaty either, this was a concern. He cooled right down and began breathing normally once he had been hosed down.

Obviously, this is not normal breathing. D lives outside 24/7 and he loves it. He is also not new to the southern heat.  But after having a normal shed- out his coat had grown back in. So once cooled down the first task was body clipping which he thought was fantastic!! I'm so thankful for my barn family and the way they come around me and assist me in caring for my boy. I have now body clipped a horse, too. :)

Gracie, so graciously lent me her time and expertise on my VERY hairy and dirty horse. 

Grace and Vivienne, also gave of their time and expertise,  clean up my clipping job and clip his legs. 

D had/ has been leaking pee for a bit. He had a urine infection two summers ago so this wasn't a huge concern at first since I'd been told that it might happen.
All of D's symptoms (heavy breathing, heavy coat, leaking urine) seemed unrelated but after a vet visit. I learned that they could all be related which was rather comforting. After a thorough check-up our vet drew blood to run tests. The good news? D was totally healthy. The bad news? He is positive for cushings disease.
I am grateful for a diagnosis especially since D is often a puzzle and it seems that cushings has a pretty straightforward treatment.  I am hopeful we can get back to normal soon. Although, I'm not sure I would've been riding in this heat anyways.
Since it has been extremely hot lately we spend time by the fan during the heat of the day and learn more and more about horses and the complications they present. ;)

He LOVES the fan! 

Sweet Seventeen

     Today Demetrias is officially 17 years old. We are currently spending our rides at the walk again. This time it is for me. Right before Christmas D bucked me off, badly and my back is still recovering from that, almost six weeks later... ugh!! Anyways, we do a lot of different things while walking and it gives me time to reflect.
     D is doing a lot better. We had a really awesome summer of just really working on our transitions and controlling our energy and staying balanced. It was a hot summer but we had some great workouts.
     We have moved into cooler weather and usually D is wonderful during this time because he doesn't have any bugs to contend with. Instead, this has been a spunkier time but still good. He loves being outside and has done really well.
      So, he is 17 today. We have been together for 8 years. He has been blind for 7 of those. The strain is still there, still trying to pay off debt, still trying to make ends meet... but he tilts his head and holds his own and there's still something to learn.
               Happy Birthday Demetrias Brother- may this be your best year yet!!!