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In Loving Memory...
~ Gogo Fatale ~


6/2/01 - 10/11/11
~ Forever the Marest of Them All ~
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Gogo's New Career

Well.

I guess I have to have a little humor about this whole ordeal.

Gogo has a new career.

What is it?



Yep. It's true.


Sunday afternoon's feeling-a-little-weird progressed later that evening into full out, dead hopping lame on the right hind when I went out to check her that evening. Even with 1000lbs of Banamine in her, she was way lame. Way, way lame. And I just knew. I knew.

Yesterday afternoon, I trailered her back up to Dr. C's, knowing that the news was going to be bad, but unsure of the severity. Sure enough, when we jogged her out, she was about 2.5/5 lame on the right hind. Ultrasound showed that she had reinjured the same area on her SDFT, and also had fiber disruption below it, lower than it ever was. Dr. C's advice? Turn her out for a year or two and see what happens then.

So.

I guess that's that.

Honestly, if she can't stay sound even in medium work, then it's better for me to know now than to try and put her back into heavier training and have her breakdown then. If she puts one foot wrong while out for a light toodle and ends up hurt, then there's no way she can hold up to eventing, or jumping of any sort for that matter. Her injury isn't serious by any means, but the fact that it is recurring no matter what we do doesn't bode well for the future. I do think that she'll be a nice trail horse down the road, and maybe can do some dressage, but we're talking years away from now. For the foreseeable future, she's a lawnmower and a pasture puff.

But you know. It's all right. She's still alive, and healthy, and good. We could probably go at this aggressively once again, but to what end? I can't lock her in a stall for another year for no reason. I just can't do that to her. She means far too much to me, and it's no longer fair to her.

Who knows? It's probably my fault, I'm sure I did something wrong somewhere along the way. But I tried my hardest for her. I did everything I could, everything I knew how to do. I fretted over ever step she took, iced and coldhosed her after every hard work, wrapped and poulticed and babied her every moment of the day. I kept her only on good footing, wasn't working her hard, wasn't asking anything unreasonable of her, wasn't trying to push for anything. She had the best of everything - best footing, treadmill, my hawkeye on her all the time. And she still didn't stay sound. So that's that.


Only one person asked if I was going to get rid of her. Psh... of course she's not going anywhere. I'd rather have her as a fat, hairy, waddling pasture puff burning her way through a steady pile of hay than not have her at all. She's my family, and she's not going anywhere. Who knows? Like I said, maybe in a few years she can get back to some light work. I owe so much to her. She's the reason I moved to New England in the first place. She's the reason I got into natural hoof care. She's everything to me.


Tomorrow is the two year anniversary of the Eventing-A-Gogo blog, which is a little bit sad. Clearly Gogo's not going anywhere, so she's still going to be the focus of my writing, even though there probably won't be many interesting adventures in the foreseeable future. Maybe as I get into hoofcare, I'll be writing about that more. And of course, there's the great possibility that I'll be adding another project horse to my little family somewhere down the line. We're all still heading to North Carolina, so who knows what might be in store for all of us down there?



Oh Gogo. No matter what, you're still the best, and I will always love you.

43 comments:

jenj said...

Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know it's devastating, especially after all the two of you have been through and all that you have done and given her. But you know, you two have learned so much and come so far, and this is not the end by any means. I'm sure there are many more chapters to this just around the corner, they just might be a little different than you had planned.

And you know what? They do make great riding lawnmowers. :)

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...

I got bad news about Denali today too. If I'm lucky she can live out the next few months as a pasture puff... if I'm lucky.

I could try to lock her in a stall again, and pump her full of medicine that 'sort of works' OR, OR I could let her be a horse for a few months. It's not fair to her to lock her in a stall, and I totally agree wiht you.

I'm sorry Andrea. I hope that Go-Go heals!!

<3 ya guys!

Unknown said...

I am so sorry about what's happening. I know how it feels. It has happened to me very recently, in somewhat of a different situation.

I hope Gogo's healing exceeds your expectations...

On a brighter note, NC is a pretty awesome place. There are some serious rednecks here, which turns out to be entertainment often.

Now, I have a question for you. How long after you pulled Gogo's shoes did it take for her feet to harden up? There's a little lesson mare I'm riding (and possible sale item) that did have 4 shoes until 2 months ago. She's been kind of ouchy lately, and it's not anything to do with her legs. We are 99% sure it's the feet, that they are tender still. I told my trainer I'd ask you, since I thought of you and thought you might know something, being you've been so dedicated to barefooting. ;)

Now Thats A Trot! said...

Oh Gogo-mare... You will most definitely be the sexiest lawnmower ever!

I'm sorry it was bad news this time around... Hopefully the new job pans out well for you and Gogo, too!

Jen said...

Noooooooooooo! I'm so sorry for you and Gogo, you two were having such fun.
Here's hoping for a better recovery than anticipated. At least you know you did everything you could have the first time. Above and beyond what most of us could have swung. So there should be no regrets. I agree, another stint on stall rest is not fair. She's lucky to have you and I am sure you two still have adventures ahead of you.

Beckz said...

I'm sorry to hear she is re-injured. I really think you did everything you could. Does this mean we may she a little gogo sooner rather than later?

Mare said...

I'm sorry to hear that, but you know what? You're good horse Mom! Good for you for giving Gogo a good life as a pasture ornament !

Anonymous said...

What an awful break :( I'm glad to hear you'll be keeping her regardless, but it would have been nice to see her make a full recovery.

Sarah said...

Wow. That is terrible news but I'm glad to hear you have such a positive outlook on it. Onward!

Alana said...

I am so very sorry, but don't doubt yourself, you have done everything right! And of course GoGo isn't going anywhere! She is your daughter! Keep you head up, and have fun here in NC!

PS on the trimming thing...I live about 3 1/2hrs east of Southern Pines, that would be a *bit* of a travel for you, even if I could rope in a few more trims for you!

manymisadventures said...

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. I've seen you pull out ALL the stops to give Gogo the best care possible - I really admire the lengths you went to to make sure everything was perfect.

I know things will work out for you in the end, they always do. You have a horse you love and an awesome new job...lots of potential on the horizon. It doesn't make Gogo's impending pasture-puffness any less disappointing, but it seems like you're keeping your chin up.

Rebecca White said...

I am very sorry to hear this unfortunate news. I am glad you can find some humor and some peace with the outcome. She is extremely lucky to have you.

Melissa said...

I'm so sorry to hear the news. I was looking forward to seeing her get back to kicking butt in competition.

You said: "It's probably my fault, I'm sure I did something wrong somewhere along the way."

No, no it's not. We've all watched you spend a year learning everything you could about healing that kind of injury, carefully picking which methods to try, and carrying them out with way more patience than I could summon. If it were possible to fix her, you would have found it. Modern vet science just doesn't have the answer for her injuries yet.

"But I tried my hardest for her."

Yes you damn well did. And she'll be the happiest, most spoiled and loved horse for the rest of her life. Nothing's changed in that department.

I look forward to seeing what the two of you get up to next! I hope doors open for you.

Sarah said...

Well, crap...I'm sorry it wasn't better news. Still, I love your attitude about everything. Go-go is very lucky to have you as her person:) I wish more people felt like you...our horses are ours no matter what, no matter how "useful" they are. Besides, your journey with her isn't over-just different:)

Diligent Horse said...

I'm very sorry to hear about GoGo. I can imagine how hard it is to come to the end of that road. But, another is just waiting ahead. Whatever it may be.

You're a respectable horse owner and horse person and your positive outlook will take you far. I wish you the best success in your new journey in NC!

Sarah said...

Well, crap...I'm sorry it wasn't better news. Still, I love your attitude about everything. Go-go is very lucky to have you as her person:) I wish more people felt like you...our horses are ours no matter what, no matter how "useful" they are. Besides, your journey with her isn't over-just different:)

Karen said...

I'm so sorry to hear about GoGo. But I think you've got the right attitude about it. She's a lucky mare to have you!

Allyssa said...

=(

.koweta said...

You've done *everything* for Gogo, more than many other owners would do, and it's not your fault. The same thing happened to my trainer's gelding (now that I'm thinking about, almost the same in terms of injury, recovery, and reinjury), and he enjoys grazing and being loved on with a few trail rides now and then.

Southern Pines is wonderful! Much milder than the Northeast and a bunch of lovely people, horse and otherwise.

Plus, Gogo will be the Queen Pasture Puff :)

ridinfar said...

Andrea, you know what? I think there is *something* good that is going to come out of this. Gogo got you through a period of your life where it seems as though you were in limbo.. you are now facing a HUGE career and life change, and you will be able to dive in head first. Gogo will be *happy* turned out, and your door will be open for something amazing. I am a strong believer in turn-out, specifically for rehab, and I have to wonder if allowing her to do her own rehab won't be what's best for her. Anyway, I can't wait to hear about your new adventures, which you know will be plentiful! Although I'm here out west, my husband is from NC and it would be a beautiful place if you weren't dealing with my inlaws ;-)

All the best, Amanda

Terry said...

I'm very sorry. I know it's no comfort, but sooner or later this comes to all horses. Most aren't so lucky to have a wonderful owner like you.

Hurricanes12 said...

what can i say that hasn't already been said? poor you, and poor gogo.. although she is very lucky to have a mom who loves her as much as you do. it really shows you that horses are fragile, despite being so huge :(
i'm excited for the hoof care chapters, i'm training to be a farrier so i'm going to love reading about your adventure into hoofcare, with updates on gogo of course :) i'm sure she'd have the most beautiful foals if you decided to take that route with her also!

Val said...

This has been an extremely interesting year in Gogo-land, so I suspect that more adventures are on the horizon, despite this disappointing news. I think the turn out will be good for her and you will have time for your new direction.

Funder said...

HUGS!

Alanna M said...

I'm so sorry Andrea. That is very sad news. I think you have done an amazing job re-habbing her. It is not your fault. Sometimes stuff like this happens for no good reason. I'm glad you plan to keep the silly girl around. :)

Albigears said...

Well I, for one, hope you keep writing about whatever is going on in your life. You are an excellent writer and I want to know where you're going and what you're doing in the world. There aren't many horse lovers that actually make a living working with horses. I have no doubt there will be plenty of projects knocking on your door when you're ready... plus we all need GogoPasturePuff updates.

Albigears said...

...and HUGS to you and Gogo!

Brittany said...

How heartbreaking. Gogo is lucky to have an owner who loves her enough to keep her as a lawn mower. Hopefully pasture rest agrees with her, and she get as healed up as possible.

I am very excited to hear about your adventures into hoof care!

Muriel said...

My deep sympathy. I am so sorry. But Gogo is still healthy and hot and full of 'ttude ;-)

You are doing the right thing to her. She is a tough cookie. I am sure in the future, she will make a nice trail and dressage horse.

Will you breed her? Or it will make her injury worse?

Wishing Gogo happy resting time on a pasture. I can hardly imagine her hairy ...
Bon courage to your new adventures! Having less to focus on rehabing Gogo, you will have a more open-mind to all the new oportunities coming to you. Good Luck!

MalteseLizzieMcGee said...

It's a shame that you have to put your eventing on hold.
YOu could spend the time that she's on pasture rest teaching her tricks though eg. fetch (I know someone who taught her horse to pick up traffic cones). That way you will have an activity to focus on and goals to set.
I wish you luck in pursuing hoof care: it sounds like a fascinating topic.

kippen64 said...

You are going to have one of the most attractive pasture ornaments in the entirety of the USA. Then maybe one day when you can afford it, you could possibly take on a Thoroughbred or Standardbred with legs of iron and the heart of a lioness.

Anonymous said...

Oh, hell, how disappointing.

All you can do is the best you can do, and you clearly did that. So y'know. Be kind to yourself.

Lexie said...

Oh Andrea! You are a much stronger person than I to have your sense of humor intact right now. You are the best owner a horse could ask for. And I'm sure none of the injury recurring is your fault.

I really hope you continue to write. You'll have fab experiences, and I for one, love your writing style. I really hope you get a project horse once you're settled. Good luck with the hoofcare business.

Gogo, behave yourself, and quit causing your Mom so much grief. Enjoy the weather, and eat lots of grass, and get fat and shinny. And heal! You do look pretty snazzy in your western tack.

All the best to both of you.

Jill said...

Damn it - I'm sorry! You did absolutely everything you possibly could at every single step of the way - how freaking frustrating! Hugs to you and Gogo....and she will be an absolutely gorgeous lawn mower!!

Jai said...

Well, crap. So sorry to hear this. I was really hoping Gogo would make a full recovery. But you still have Gogo and that's the important part. So what if she's a lawnmower and pasture puff, she's been there for you through some tough times and she'll still be there for you. And I for one can't wait to hear about your adventures in NC, even if it's not about riding Gogo.

Yankecwgrl said...

Andrea, I'm so sorry! You have worked so hard, tried doing all the right things and this is the thanks you get. I'm sure you are pretty down about it.

On the plus side? She IS still alive, and for the most part healthy. You were talking about breeding her.....maybe that is what you are supposed to do. Spend the next few months picking out her 'baby daddy' and breed her early next year for a stellar 2012 foal. GoGo will make pretty babies, I'm sure.

Hugs to you and GoGo.

Katie said...

Well, I'm glad that YOU are handling this so well, because *I* (who doesn't even know you or Gogo beyond this blog) am devastated on your behalf. I am so, so, SO sorry to hear this. OK, horse gods, when are you going to give this poor girl a break??

But I must say - please, there is NO way that this is your fault. You've worked your butt off to condition and then rehab Gogo as carefully and thoughtfully as is humanly possibly. You've been FAR more thorough and careful than most owners ever thought of being. Sometimes terrible things just... happen. Please don't blame yourself - Gogo is SO lucky to have found you!!

*Sharon* said...

Dammit.

HUGS and kia kaha!

SmartAlex said...

Wow, that's too bad, but I have to say I'm very impressed with your attitude. It must be sort of a relief to say "well that's that and it doesn't really matter". She sure was a lot of fun to event, but I know you will find another project one of these days.

Foxrider said...

After reading GoGo's story, she could practically be sisters with my mare, Foxie! I'm so sad to hear of her lameness- time off is so hard, but it does magic, I swear! I'm bringing my mare back from the second time after some ddf/hyperextention problems- it took 2.5 years from injury to today, but she's back and in hardcore event training without a lame day. GoGo will be in our thoughts, but either way she's a lucky mare!

Anonymous said...

Oh no!! *I* am devastated. I have been following your blog since the beginning watching you and Gogo grow and hurt and heal and grow again and it's nice to see other riders who give a shit about their horses. Especially that there are other adorable, caring, queer riders abound in the world (but perhaps I am just biased) ;). It is not your fault that she re-injured herself, and in any case, Gogo is incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful home with you, Andrea.

I would LOVE to see a wee little beastie of a Gogo in the future, but any way your life wanders is fine with me. I'll just keep looking through your proverbial living room window, reading about your life.

Stay happy.

Lacey said...

I don't really know what to write, but I want to say I'm really sorry/sad to hear this news. You did so much for Gogo, I've always admired your patience and attention to her care. Gogo is lucky, lucky, lucky to have you! Take care of yourself and good luck with the new adventure! I can't wait to hear about it!

Gal Wednesday said...

Andrea, I'm so excited to hear that you have found a way to pursue your passion!

You will be amazing at anything you set your mind to and the universe has good things in store for you :)