Oh dammit...

I got a call on my last day in Florida from my BO. Guinness was 3-legged lame, and not weight-bearing on his left hind.

Uh, crap.

I have to say. I get the "hey your horse is hurt" call a whole lot of times. However, getting that call when I'm out of town? That's probably the most stomach-dropping version of the call.

Luckily, this was a Saturday and I was able to call on my husband (who was actually home for the weekend) to go up and do a preliminary exam. Thank god he's almost-a-doctor and feels confident doing physical exams, even when the "patient" has four legs and hooves!

I talked him through the main points, and we decided the issue was 99% likely to be an abscess in the heel, and .05% likely to be a broken bone.

Whew.
I have to say. The photos and video (video!) of my horse being examined were really soothing for me to get. Even though the video is tough to watch, it's obvious that the issue isn't really serious. How thoughtful was it to send me those?!
After seeing everything and giving care instructions, I was able to get back to work in Florida and put my mind at rest for my time there and my travels back home. Thank goodness!

As a follow up: Pig has been on a low level of bute for the last few days, and I haven't felt too guilty about not being able to make it out to the barn to see him. According to the trainer at the farm, Pig was walking almost normally last night. Fingers crossed the abscess is on its way out! I'm finally going to be able to check on him myself, as soon as I finish this monster proposal for grad school...

Comments

  1. What a super husband :) Hoping Guinness is much improved today!

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  2. Glad to hear it's probably nothing serious, hope your boy feels better soon!
    PS, LOVE that last GIF :)

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  3. Happy it is nothing serious! And boooo grad school.

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    1. I'd boo grad school, but I do sadistically love the research...

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  4. Funny how they can be fine one day, 3 legged the next, and almost back to normal quickly. Usually the work of an abscess! Mine is the same way when he gets them. How nice your husband can come out and over the phone you guys can make a decision about what's most likely wrong :-) It's the next best thing to being able to see it yourself! I hope he has a speedy recovery!

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    1. Me too! I'm itching to get back to work after all those Florida lessons! :)

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  5. I'm almost relieved when they're THAT lame, because it is almost always an abscess. Still it's really hard to watch though!

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    1. Me too! I remember the first abscess I saw. I freaked out! :)

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  6. Hooray for your hubs! Poor Pig-hopefully it gets worked out soon so he can feel better!

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    1. Poor, poor Pig. He's such a sad when his feet hurt...

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  7. yikes - abscesses are always so dramatic!! hopefully he's on the mend soon! and awesome that your husband was able to check everything out for you :)

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    1. Drama! That's exactly the right description! :)

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  8. Ughhh Guinness! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery- glad nothing is broken!

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  9. I hope he's all healthy again soon. And that you survive the grad school proposal unscathed.

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    1. I think we both have managed to survive. But barely. :)

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  10. That is the worst phone call ever. Glad he's going be okay!!

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