Progress?

So I called the vet today.  I wasn't really happy with the way the wound was looking and how lame Apollo still was.  Vet consulted with other vet and came up with:

* Take the stitches out
* Unbandage it
* Let it heal as an open wound
* Hydrotherapy 3x daily
* Walk him 3x daily
* Take him off the SMZs
* Turn him out in a small, controlled area
* Two more weeks off

Okay, can do.  Stitches: out.   Bandage: off.  Hydrotherapy: done twice.  Walking:  done twice.  SMZs: stopped.  Work: still off.

Turnout?   Well ... I did turn him out today in the round pen.  The round pen has sand footing.   I wasn't real sure about it, seeing as the wound is still wide-ass open and we've done all this work to keep infection out, and now I'm to turn him out into the dirt?   Eeesh.   So he was out for a couple-three hours today, long enough to roll and get filthy.  Long enough to loosen up the leg and kind of enjoy walking around.   One good, one not good.

I decided that yknow, in the end, my horse's welfare is my decision, and I'm just not comfortable turning him out just yet.   Once the wound has scabbed over or dried out some, yes by god please let's turn him out for a while.   But while it's still open and bleed-y, I would rather keep him in and just walk him.

So.  Once the stitches came out and he got hosed and walked, the wound was looking way better.  It's not oozing yellow any more, more like kind of blood and serum.  Not thick blood, just seepy blood, if that makes any sense.   I hope that what I saw around the edges wasn't proud flesh.  It is bulgy, but not hugely grainy ... I think.  I hope.  We'll see tomorrow morning what's developed overnight.   If it looks proud flesh ish at all, we have to deal with it tomorrow or not until Monday.  I can't soak one more emergency call.

BUT.  He's looking pretty good.  After his turnout, I washed his leg pretty well, so I think we're okay there.  I put Swat around the area to keep the flies off, and he's got a nice clean stall.  Which will now get cleaned three times a day, not just two.  Spoiled pony.   I mean, I might as well, since I'm there and all.  Exercise = good.   (I am incredibly lucky to be allowed to work from home for the next week and a half.  Thank you, work!  I wouldn't be able to take good care of Apollo if I had to go to the barn, come home and get ready, go to work, come back to the barn, change, hose/walk/re-standing-wrap, change, go back to work, come back to the barn, change, etc ...!  There just wouldn't be enough hours in the day to do everything.  Without commute and wardrobe changes, I can do everything I need to do: work, take care of horse, take care of dogs and cats, and even get to the gym to take care of me. And laundry.  So much laundry.)

I'm really looking forward to this being healed and to being able to ride my guy again.   I'm looking forward to non-stress.   ... well, having said that, I'm reminded of a saying that I need to keep in mind:

If you're depressed, you're living in the past.
If you're stressed, you're living in the future.
If you're content, you're living in the present.

I'll argue with "content," because there are a whole lot of hungry people out there not content with their present, but you get the gist of it.  I shouldn't borrow trouble, and tomorrow's not here yet.  Let's worry about tomorrow then, okay, self?