Building Blocks

Alex and I have been working in the surcingle for the last few days with some success.  The crud on his back is fully healed and he seems to have only minor intermittent sensitivity to medium pressure without the muscle relaxer.  Although he's still girthy and grouchy at times, my vet doesn't think it's ulcer episode, since he's eating, drinking normally and generally appears to feel better.  Tonight I tried tightening the surcingle very slowly tonight and stretching his front legs out in front of him to keep any of his skin from getting pinched.  I will probably give him tomorrow off and then lunge him in the surcingle again on Thursday.  If that goes well, I would like to put him back in full tack on Friday.  I've also decided to try him in my other saddle, because I think the PJ might be too narrow for him (it always slid back a lot on him no matter how it was placed) and could have caused some back pain along with his hocks. 

Anyone else have experiences with a saddle being too narrow?  Tell me your signs, symptoms and remedies, I'd be really interested to compare.

The Back On Track back blanket will be here next week, I'm not sure at this point whether we need it, but still want to try it to see if it does anything for him. 

The crud on Alex's legs is also slowly healing and there hasn't been any stocking up for several days.  I since I used multiple things, I can't say that it was the Vetericyn or the "concoction", but I will say I think the "concoction" + Desitin really is helping.  So here is what I have been doing for the crud on Alex's legs/pasterns:

Legs:
Scrub with Iodine shampoo, pick off any scabs, let shampoo soak for at least 5 minutes, dry legs and coat with Gold Bond powder (I use the spray powder, but the other stuff works too).

Pasterns:  Scrub with Iodine shampoo, pick off any loose scabs, let shampoo soak for at least 5 minutes, dry, spray with Vetericyn, cover/rub in with the "concoction," cover with Desitin.

I have been doing this pretty much every day, but may slow down once he heals a little more.

"The Concoction" contains the following in equal parts:

Triple Antibacterial
Antifungal (like what is used on human feet)
Hydrocortisone

Make sure you use all creams so they mix evenly (the ointments don't mix well)

Thought this might be useful for others in the same boat!