29/09/2025
Love being part of this special horses journey - it’s been a rollercoaster for poor Vigo ❤️
A friend commented that there hadn't been many Vigo updates over the summer. So here we are! It's all been quiet as following injected chemotherapy for his sarcoids, they weren't fully resolving. He underwent laser surgery and follow-on chemotherapy under general anaesthetic with a visiting specialist at the beginning of August, and has been healing up since then.
While he still has further healing to go, he's been back in work for a couple of weeks now. He's feeling absolutely fabulous; now aged 5 he's building up strength, but not rushing him is really paying dividends. His canter has come on hugely, with his counter-canter is really working well to develop the straightness and collection, and we've started to play with some flying changes. Scrappy, but the bare bones are there. He's also getting very very clever at piaffe half-steps in lovely light collection. Of course, we spend at least two sessions a week hacking out around the lanes to have relaxing chill time and general fitness development. Really rather a lot of fun all round and I couldn't be happier.
Frustratingly, I'm not convinced we've completely removed the sarcoid activity around his eye. The healing is going really well, but there's one patch that is causing me concern. More vet checks to come. Fingers crossed it's nothing, or sortable. Time will tell. For now, I'm enjoying his company, and having a hugely talented horse to play with who is showing the benefits of progressive, unrushed but still performance-focussed training.
Thanks as ever to Three Counties Equine Hospital for his ongoing treatment, Westlake Vet Physio for keeping him in prime condition, Laura B - Saddles for saddle goodness, and Lyne House Livery for his top quality care (and more nurse duties than I would like to have asked for!).
