Xray/Vet appt-Part 1

Upon my arrival at the barn, this morning.

What a happy site to see. Hay stuffed ponies sunbathing...

 I've seen this scene a few times now. Laz and Justin (the WB/Paint x) napping with Red, the other OTTB watching over.

 "Ohhh cookie Laydee is here! Time to Roll and get ektra durty"

 Eesh, neck muscles not looking good.  I made a mental note to ask my new Vet about it.

Laz impersonating a snorting Elk

So, our Vet arrived and we got talking (as she's only met us now twice) about where we are at, what we are concerned with and what we want to accomplish.

As I was explaining Laz's past....... I started to cry. 

EEesh.

 I felt so embarrassed but when I talk about what he's been through, it just gets me. 

EVERY TIME.

Any way, she was there for 2 hours and gave us a VERY thorough exam.  She writes down her thoughts, recommendations, etc so I can review after our appt too, which is so great.

We took xrays of the RH only (she agreed I didn't need them on his Club foot and she thought his Club wasn't as bad as I thought..whew).  

These are non digital xrays so I don't have results yet.

We will talk results, review images and formulate our plan in the next day or so.

I love a good plan...so I'm hopeful there is one that is doable.

Hoof tester on his RH was almost a joke. His sole is so soft that she barely had to squeeze with one hand.  She was very concerned about that, as both my trimmer and I are-hence why I brought the Vet in.  

I don't know what our next steps are yet, she didn't want to tell me our path BEFORE reading our Rads.  She smiled and said "I know you are a nervous Nellie so I don't want to tell you anything until I know for sure" 

Is it that obvious? 

I kid...I know it is.

I hope whatever the plan is, it sits comfortable with me.

I'm anti-shoeing him although she assured me NO SHOES and in his soft foot case, she said, no shoe would help anyway.

I'm anti-stalling him to dry out his feet...

I'd rather boot him in a duct taped boot than stall him....I don't know if that will be discussed so I'm jumping the gun here.

Ultimately I decide what is best for him, after collecting my information.

Before our xrays, she did a general lameness analysis on him.

Walk-strides evenly, left shoulder inward towards me.  She had me switch side leading him to see.  She thought shoulder was still wonky.

Trot-Very lame. :(   But I know this

RH rolls hip and hock, both hinds paddle out, left shoulder out. RH stifle weak

LH stifle over working, LH hoof good shape, stronger but overall all hooves too moist.

Not great news...but nothing I didn't know.

Neck flexation-stiff. 

This I know. 

I do a ton of Masterson Massage on him and he really struggles with the neck bends. She said his whole body is off due to compensating for his RH.

That's obvious...so she recommended a Chiro whom I will contact to help him out as we resolved his hoof problem.

Recommended putting him on MSM immediately to help with overall joint health. 

(already ordered)  actually need to talk to Vet about MSM and it's issues with effecting mineral balancing and selenium.

Recommended using a daily cleaner on his hooves of 1:1 ratio alcohol and 7-10% iodine to help dry out hoof and keep clean.

She blocked his RH (right hind in case you don't know what I'm referring too) for the xray and to test his lameness again once he was blocked. 

Not a huge difference, but she was able to tell what parts of him are sore due to his RH being compromised.

She thought his weight looked good. He has a hay/fiber belly but he needs more rib coverage and she thought his neck did look thin. She told me to up his Triple Crown L/S to see if that helps.

As we get to the bottom of fixing him (hopeful still) his muscle and balance should work itself out, slowly.

She commented on how shiny and soft his fur was..BONUS!

I asked "For a 10 yr old OTTB in post laminitic phase, does he look good??" 

She laughed and said yes.

Regarding Laz during the exam;

Angle boy.

A.N.G.E.L.B.O.Y.

Stood stoically still during blocking, for xrays, for general exam, was perfect for the 2 hours we fussed with him.  Trotted when he asked and even gave a few bucks and playful "I'm not lame" performances. 

Nice try pal but it's too obvious.

After Vet left, he seemed to just want some cuddle rub time, so he got plenty of it.  

No more road walking for a while...Vet said his RH is just too soft and that will continue to bruise the hoof and set us back.  No problem, it's now off our to do list.

I hope we get decent results with the xrays and a plan of "To Do's" that we are all happy with to get this boy back to sound.

He deserves it.

In non related Vet news; I hung Laz (and the others) our new Busy Horse hay net

It's a GREAT product and seems really durable

This is the large size that fits about 4-6 flakes of hay in it.

Perfect for colder days/nights. 

The BO's are cool with me stuffing it full in addition to his daily hay. Sweet!!!!

Here's how I hung it..pretty good for $6 and free labor via Husband

I hung one spot here, under stable lean to, so horses could nibble in wet conditions and I have a second hanging out in the field, in the open for nice days or to just switch it up location wise.

Just a BIG general thank you, to my readers...which many of you have become my friends.  Without your constant support, encouragement and knowledge, Laz and I surely wouldn't be here today.  

Thanks to Kate  for her 'how to hang' suggestions for the hay bag.

Thanks to J9 and Frizzle for their constant emails, phone calls of support, exchanging ideas, hoof thoughts, diet plans, on sale items, general listening with words of encouragement and compassion.

It's SO appreciated!!!