So, there is no theraband going on him…all we re going to do is pony him, no tack or anything (which he seems to be slightly anxious but mostly okay for) until we get the scope done. Then he will continue that until he’s relaxed. Then we will add a blanket surcingle (which is definitely not a theraband…I am a PT - totally different items and purposes!)…to see if he can handle a small bit of girth pressure…then move to a saddle pad. Then saddle…but always assessing where he is first and giving him time to be accepting before we move on to the next step. It might take a day or two or a week or two or months).
Should also clarify that he is in tack that is fitting…she tried tack she knew he was happy in…she also has tried other tack to see if the issue was the way a specific piece of tack is fitting. The vets actually said it would be better to start him back in a Western saddle as the dressage saddle puts direct pressure right where the ribs were broken. Not using a rear cinch at the moment (though he was okay with them in the past). But the point is, we have options in trying different styles of saddles to see if he is more/less comfortable…and we will continue to play with that to make sure he is comfortable.
The ulcers we think actually came from when he had the laceration and had to get some massive doses of bute and exceed. I’ve had two vets tell me that they are seeing a significant number of horses come in with more severe ulcers after using exceed antibiotics. I think they may have started from that…and then when he broke the ribs, that just made it worse (as I had already been treating him for ulcers before the rib fractures happened)…suspecting he had some.
Bute trial might be worth it…though have to be careful with the ulcer history. Maybe a course of previcox would be less risky. For that matter, banamine might be as useful since that will target soft tissue and this does seem like it might be more of a soft tissue issue surrounding the ribs. Will have to chat with the vet more.