A Week Off

You might remember how Pig popped a splint just before our last show...

How could you forget?

After the show, it seemed to be healing nicely. The leg was cool, and the horse was sound. However, the spot was still tender to the touch, so I wasn't too surprised when Pig accidentally whacked himself during a recent ride and went 100% lame on that leg.

Don't lie. This is a favorite.

Though he came sound again with a few days of rest, he has remained intermittently lame with hard work. This week was the final straw. When he stayed lame for the entirety of my 25 min walk warm up, I called it. This horse is getting time off.

The splint was hot after that ride, and the bump larger. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he may have actually broken it when he whacked himself again. While still rarely serious, and actual break can cause additional healing time and more pain in the area. The thing to watch for is suspensory involvement, which he shows no signs of. In fact, the lamness issue could also be his fetlock arthritis reacting to the cold and wet weather (thanks Hurricane Joaquin/nasty weather system). It's hard to tell. 

The plan right now is to give Pig a solid week off with some topical treatment (mainly Surpass and Sore-No-More). I will reevaluate at the end of a week, and if he is still moving gingerly on that leg we will seek x-rays and further diagnostics.

Oh old horse. Why do you do this to me?

"I think, lady, you may have that backwards. Why do you do this to me?"