FINDING NEMO and DORY; A SAGA
By Roger Rittenhouse
Aug 2005 Update JULY 2008
The beginning, 2005
This year has not been the best year for me and my wife Carol.
OMNI RETIRED
I decide along with my vet that my horse OMNI should no longer compete. His very straight stifles were to the point he required injections. I have never in 30 years competed a horse that required injections of a joint. I have said if a horse needs that protocol to compete then he does not need to. I retired Omni as of last year. I only play ride him around the farm. He is only 14yrs old. Should have many more miles left, but it is not to be. I think and so does the vet, that he is showing signs of damage and long term problems related to fall we took in 2001. He has about 750 LD miles and 850 endurance at the 50 mile level. He never did a 100. He still likes to go out and just walk around with some trotting on the flat, but the down hills are too much for him now. This is the first year I have never competed at some level since the mid 70's. I have missed the rides. Of course I knew this was coming, so I have been looking for a replacement for many years, thus the Finding NEMO theme. I also ride my 'baby', Fame, my home bred mare of 26. She has settled to going easier on trail. I guess she figured out we no longer have to condition for competition. I have considered donating OMNI to a riding for the handicap program, but he may be too big. He sure is quite enough and could really do well with the heavier riders in the programs. I will look into that option, he really needs a new job. I will keep looking. In the short term., I will just ride him around here and maybe some camp trips.
NEW TRUCK
On the bright side, I traded the truck, a 2000 Ford F350 for a new 2005 F350 cab and chassis with a very nice aluminum flat bed in July. The new truck can carry the weight of the trailer without being overloaded. GCWR is 23000 and the GVWR is 13,500. It is an extended cab. The 4 door was never really used and it just adds to turning radius. The small rear door are nice and provide for easy in/out. The new coil spring suspension and front end design really improved the turning. I got it with the PSD 6.0, 6 speed stick, 4x4, DRW XLT, loaded with nice extras. I really like the flat bed over the pickup. So far with only 5000 miles it is doing well. Some minor problems with surging but the Ford dealer is working with me. It is more powerful the older 7.3 PSD. I prefer the stick shift even though it has taken me a while to get use to it. I think there are too many problems with the automatic. Based on reports from the Ford Truck list (thedieselstop.com), there are enough problems with the 6.0 and now the problems of the 5 spd auto are showing up. I decided I could live with the low RPM torque of the stick, learn how to get it rolling then get on it above 1500 rpm. I have to allow for a bit longer merge lane run then I did with the automatic as well as learning how to shift fast. I had the rig out with one horse loaded for a weekend, water in LQ and horse water on the hay rack, it weighed in at 19,100 lb. Not bad. This rig will be well under the safe load limit specs with two horses. Pictures are at the imageevent site
MAGIC RAZ and DIXIE. (DORY)
Late Nov 04), Carol had to put down one of her 30 year old Arabs. Magic was 30, we had him for 28 years. He was our daughters horse until she was 18. He did the OD100 at Leesburg VA in 1980 at 6 yrs old with only 500 miles of ECTRA and a few slow 50 milers. Leah was 17 when they did this. Carol rode him for many years in ECTRA, AERC and NATRC.
He had some sort of a neurological problem with both hind legs. It was decide the cause was not EPM not WNV. He would fall over at a missed step. Best we can determine Magic had about 2800 miles of ECTRA AERC and NATRC. He was never pulled from any rides. I think he was about one of the best moving horses we ever had. A solid tough small Arab. He was from the old 'double R cross' by Bazy Tankersely.
This June 05 Carol lost her good Arab RAZ. He was 17. Based on what we could determine, my mare must have kicked him in the belly quite a few times. She had him trapped in the barn. When he escaped he ran around the field and just dropped and rolled and rolled. Got up and ran, repeating the drop rolling for many times. We got him out and could tell he was in pain. The vet arrived worked on him for about 3 hours, then we went off to the clinic at Univ Of TN. Examination showed an large section of small bowel to be cut off. He twisted it quite bad. We let him go. We felt the quality of life and the pain he would endure after the surgery was not the best for him. He had over 8 ft of damaged intestine. His chances of a full useful recovery were very slim.
In addition to our physical and emotional loss, we had him insured for accidents. Since we failed to follow ALL the rules of the insurance company, our claim was rejected initially by the under-writer. The surgeon at UT said she wanted to operate and we said no. Cannot do that, have to call the insurance company and let them call the shots. They nor the surgeon really gave a damn about the horse. The surgeon wanted the case for use as teaching project for 3 students who were on the shift. Sure added to our misery. I no longer carry any insurance on my horses. I spent more in premiums then it cost me to buy another horse. There is no real need to insure low cost endurance horses. If you miss one point they will not pay. I had Hallmark Equine. Carol was not sure what she wanted to do the week after we lost him. I was having a real problem with guilt. I felt bad we just did not have the funds to pay for surgery. Estimates were from $4000 to $6500. The major decision was based on the probability of success (very low like 30%) and the pain and suffering he would have to endure.
As follow up, in Mid August, I spoke with the insurance underwriter and the agents, they indicated the decision was based on the surgeons statements, who placed all the blame on us. I told them my vet who was here, advised us IF we had to perform surgery the outcome would be bleak. The attending vet at UT also told us he would most likely NOT survive. As it turned out he would have lost 8 to 10 ft of SI, not a good situation. I asked the insurance underwriter to speak with my vet and the attending vet at UT. They BOTH confirmed what they told us and their opinion was to support our decision to put him down. After re-review the insurance company will pay the policy. I still will not go through this again. It is not worth the hassle and the added emotional stress. I guess if I ever had a horse valued over 10K (HA) I would insure him – or sell him ;).
Carol bounced back in July and began riding my old mare FAME. She rode this little mare many times and at a few rides. They got along great. But, Fame was NOT her horse. She was at least back riding and dealing with the loss of RAZ. She began the search to find another horse. She did not find any Arabians she really liked at a price we felt we could afford.
She began looking at MULES. We had a small pony mule for about 24 years. She was not ridable but was our 'baby sitter' for the 2 foals we breed and raised. Carol thought, maybe a riding mule would be nice, something different. She began a search that came full circle. She found a nice medium build 15h 7 yr old ARAB molly mule-DIXIE DARLIN. Based on conversations with other mule riders we passed on her and looked at a number by the Internet and went to the mule show in middle TN. We learned allot about working mules. Went to look at 2 in Alabama. They were both about 12 to 14 yrs old. One was very nice but had very bad feet (white line), Carol would not ride it. The other was OK but not right. The first mule (Dixie) she called about was 20 miles from where we were. So, off we went to look. Two hrs later we bought her. Now I did make my major error and buy her without a vet check. I did not see anything major wrong. I could pick up all 4 feet, she was shod, had some white line damage, appeared sound, but did move different. I thought it was just a mule thing. We went back July 23 and brought her home. Carol rode her a few times. She sure was not use to the small hills we have at the farm but she worked well. Very easy to ride no problems on the ground or under saddle. I noted one hock cap was filled a few days later. Off to the vet. Sure enough she sticks the stifle a bit and the hill work just caused some filling. She is a bit out behind and in at hocks. At this time we are not sure she will be OK. Vets said to work her on the flat, and push up hills then get off to walk her down. She was not really ridden much and was a flat lander, never saw a hill. Carol is working her on the ground doing a training program and hand walking up-down the hills. She is riding in the pasture at a walk/trot as much as she can. We hope to strengthen the stifles and fix the problem with more work. Time will tell. Sure hope I did not make another mistake. Vet thinks with work she will be OK for basic trail work. She was priced right based on prices we were seeing for good well broke and trained trail mules. No her name is not DORY, that was just for the story.
Follow up -late Aug, after many trips around the pasture and working her up hill as well as taking some toe off behind she is doing much better. We put shoes on the front. The hind had the left over wall damage from the white line. We have it under control now but need to grow more hoof before we can shoe behind. No matter how she does, Carol will deal with it and she will just keep working her up hills and take it easy on the downhills. She has been working Dixie with the Clinton Anderson methods and mule trainer Brad Cameron. This mule is one of the best I have seen. She learns fast – works well with Carol. She has never shied bucked or bulked – Once she understands the request and trusts Carol she goes on down the trail. They really are doing great as a bonded pair. There is no way Carol will part with her. MANY pictures on the imageevent site
NO NEMO
For the past 2 years I have been looking for a new horse replace OMNI. This year I have been searching every week. I have looked at more videos and DVD then I can count. I have driven to almost all the SE region states. I took day trips to GA and NC to test ride and video horses. I spent a long 5 days going to FL to look at 3 then up to VA for 2 more. I found one in FL that sounded and looked good in the video. I ask my vet to do video vet check of the ones I like. I want him to find problems I missed. The one in FL was going to be the one. However, something inside told me to wait. We just spent funds to get DIXIE, I really was hesitant to spend $3500 for another horse. Omni would just have to do for pleasure tail rides. I would find one later. I canceled the pre-purchase exam with a vet in FL.
I did look at another horse – actually had him here. I did note he did not move correct behind. I thought shoeing. Three vets all agreed he would not be suitable , crooked cannon, twisted way too much on the ankles and hocks. He went back
I was not really feeling very well lately anyway, I was sort of bummed out over the loss of RAZ, Omni's problems, and I 'just was not doing right.' (ADR). I take Omni and Fame on short rides around the place. We were just having fun.
DOCTOR VISIT- That PROSTRATE Thing - ADR
You know when you ADR, you just have to get in the Doc's face and tell him something is wrong here. So we did the normal battery of tests. Had a CAT scan and MRI of the neck back again to see if the damage from the fall Omni and I had 4 yrs ago was changing. The scans were OK but there is some chronic damage. However the blood tests were not. PSA 3.7 Free PSA 13. Not too good. Off to the guy doctor.
Well after all the tests and biop, I have prostrate cancer. For those in the know it is a Gleason 6. Not real bad. We then go for the bone scan, now that scares the crap out of you. TOO MUCH reading on the Internet -tells you more then you really need. For a few days there I assumed it was the last ride. Going to get pulled at this check. Well, it was all negative. The thing is contained. Most tof he options were not acceptable for me. NO WAY was I going to do the cut and paste surgery. Have any idea what life is like after that.. I don't so diapers.. yet. Also the time to recovery is long and the process leave lots of scaring. I asked the Doc about riding and hitting that area on the saddle. Of course I respond to the question ; What type of horse riding do your do? You NUTS – you really ride 50 miles in one day.. Well, WHEN we get this fixed and I find a new horse – I sure would like to do another 100 miler. He had noting else to say, but did agree the surgery thing was not for me at 64.
Freezing was not much better. Chemo wont help. The only option I can 'live' with is radiation.
We are going for the double shot. Implant seeds and beam radiation for 5 days a week for 5 weeks. I should be one real hottie after all that is finished. Based on what I have been told there is a 95 percent success rate with this protocol. AND the best part I can keep riding. The only bad thing here is I have to drive 2 hours each way to UNIV TN Cancer Center for the treatment. Really going to mess with the riding time.
The initial shock of finding out you have cancer – in any form really sounds and 'feels' like a death sentence. NOT SO. This form I have is common and curable. While not really back to normal, I am doing what I do, ride, run the business and go on with life. MAYBE just a bit different attitude about some things... but mostly just live life the way I always have. Of course, one has to accept that NO cancer is easy? Had one person tell me 'I had the 'good' cancer”? DUH since when is ANY cancer good.. its NOT a common cold.. take two aspirin and call next week. It does appear there are a few I shared this with – before going public, that have never been associated with cancer. There is no such thing as 'easy '– 'good' or a 'sure cure'. I get a 90 to 95% kill/success prognosis.. what about the other 5%?? I believe I am correct in my thinking, once your body has cancer cells in it – you really never get rid of it all, you beat it back and get it controlled, but you are a a cancer statistic. You cannot get life insurance or health insurance. I have both, lucky. I will slow this down and as per plan kill off what I have, but the truth and fact is, it can come back in the same form or another. This form of cancer loves to go to bone.
I will go through the conventional protocol treatment and support that with alternate medicine. I am already taking herbal (rain forest things) Chinese herbs and vitamins to help with my immune system and off set the radiation issues. I see no other options. .. and of course keep riding..
NOTE to you males riders over 60 -- if something begins to feel 'funny' get in and have tests done. I think I missed this by about 6 months. I nor my doctor was proactive enough to get the PSA test (both types) and do the physical exam.. You need to do this -no not real fun. I may not have escaped this, but we would have caught it sooner.
The RAD LAB.
I had the target dots applied last week. Well you know that was the FIRST real sign -physical sign, that this is real. I have these 3 'X' “ marks the spot” Targets., that makes it very clear. I have to keep the marks fresh every night so they can see the points when I go back for the dry run test next week. I go in 30 AUG for the initial test run and validation of the program. I start 31 Aug with the treatment. I get 25 hits over the month of Sept to October. I checked out the machine, looks like Star Wars. The tech showed me the system and explained it. She likes patients that are technical. geek to geek thing. I was more interested in the machine then I was in what they were going to do to me. :) Her name is Leann – so I cant say 'beam me up Scotty' can I?
After this is done, we do the implant thing. That may have a larger impact on me. Will see in October/November.
Guess there was a good reason why I have not found another horse to compete?
FINDING NEMO
The search continues...