SPENCER: TWO YEARS LATER
Spencer's Journey 2018: Spencer has continued to blossom. He is now used in our lesson program consistently with one student and ridden by staff. He continues to need work on hind end strengthening. Although endurance is improving we keep a close watch on him and limit cantering even though he loves it. Dawna also continues to support him with red light therapy and other holistic techniques.
Spencer's Journey 2017: Through the kindness and generosity of the Mankivisky family Spencer was able to have the much needed shock wave treatment. We believe this treatment and our diligent care is why Spencer has progressed so far and in a shorter time period than anticipated. Although he is still in rehab, he works for two-three, 30 minute sessions weekly on walk and trot along with increasing his canter strides. He has a lot of work to do on muscle strengthening and learning once again to get back in a frame but he is still one handsome mover. We are always monitoring him for pain and signs of lameness. Dawna has been riding him and regularly treating him with a range of holistic techniques. Spencer enjoys the individual attention of his caretakers as well as the attention from the children who stop by his paddock to visit him or those who help groom or ride him.
Our success with Spencer has sparked our interest in adding another horse in need of rehab to our program if we are able to obtain needed resources to support such a costly venture and combine it with other programming options. If this is an area of interest perhaps you will consider supporting RHF.
Spencer's Journey 2018: Spencer has continued to blossom. He is now used in our lesson program consistently with one student and ridden by staff. He continues to need work on hind end strengthening. Although endurance is improving we keep a close watch on him and limit cantering even though he loves it. Dawna also continues to support him with red light therapy and other holistic techniques.
Spencer's Journey 2017: Through the kindness and generosity of the Mankivisky family Spencer was able to have the much needed shock wave treatment. We believe this treatment and our diligent care is why Spencer has progressed so far and in a shorter time period than anticipated. Although he is still in rehab, he works for two-three, 30 minute sessions weekly on walk and trot along with increasing his canter strides. He has a lot of work to do on muscle strengthening and learning once again to get back in a frame but he is still one handsome mover. We are always monitoring him for pain and signs of lameness. Dawna has been riding him and regularly treating him with a range of holistic techniques. Spencer enjoys the individual attention of his caretakers as well as the attention from the children who stop by his paddock to visit him or those who help groom or ride him.
Our success with Spencer has sparked our interest in adding another horse in need of rehab to our program if we are able to obtain needed resources to support such a costly venture and combine it with other programming options. If this is an area of interest perhaps you will consider supporting RHF.
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On October 1, 2016 Spencer was donated to Rising Hope Farm by Lois Brady. Spencer suffered a severe suspensory injury liking ending his show career.
Pogo was Spencer's first new friend in the med paddock area.
Mason and Spencer getting to know each other.
Spencer has taken a liking to Brownie and enjoys sharing hay with her at the fence line.
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Rising Hope Farm's 2016 S.O.S Campaign:
Support Our Spencer Spencer is a 14-16 year old sweet and loving Dutch Warmblood. Prior to his arrival at RHF Spencer was a show horse ridden by Kelsey Brady. Spencer performed well in the hunter/jumper divisions often placing in first to third according to his USEF report for 2014-2016. This summer that all changed when Spencer began showing increasing lameness. In August an ultrasound revealed substantial injury to his suspensory branch (the ligaments in his left hind legs). A year of rehabilitation was prescribed with limited prognosis for much beyond a trot under saddle. Spencer's life as a show horse is expected to be over. So why did we accept Spencer? Spencer is known to us and we feel that such a magnificent animal deserved the best and safest home with diligent care. Spencer may in time (a long time) be suited for our program as many of our children and adults seek interaction with a horse more than advancing their riding skills. He already has human admirers and a few new horse friends. In many ways he already is a working RHF horse just by being himself! But we do have another plan for Spencer. In the beginning. When Spencer arrived we began with no hand walking, just turn out in the med paddock. He then progressed to ten minutes/day. Six weeks later, Spencer has had his first follow up ultrasound and has been seen by his ongoing vet and the lameness specialist. Both concur that he looks better than he has since the symptoms started. The ultrasound supports healthy changes in the suspensory ligament. Spencer has been advanced to 15 minutes of hand walking now. His hind legs are hosed daily. He has both poultice wraps and Back on Track quick wraps depending on the day. He is groomed and loved daily. There is plenty for a care team to do. Right now, Hathaway. Eliza and Ginny are Spencer's primary care team.
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