Our arena rides haven't been great; I accept most of the blame for that, riding without eyes on the ground as I have for so long. But last night made me wonder. We started out in the arena, and Lance did not want to move – I mean, even more than usual. :-/ Since the sand is drying out and felt shiftier than I like, I decided it wasn't worth risking a strain. We went back to the barn; I put his Renegade boots on (he was trimmed on Tuesday) and headed out for a ride through the woods. Lance still didn't want to move, and acted quite tenderfooted, even on his booted front feet. Odd. It did get a little better when we got to the dirt path, but not a lot. When we got back to the barn I went over him with a fine-toothed mental comb, looking for any sign of injury I may have missed during his pre-ride grooming. Nothing. I gave him a gram of bute, and decided to give him two days off before our lesson.
Yes, I'm worried. Has Lance strained something while working in the arena sand recently? Are his feet really that sore? Is it something else? He was telling me quite clearly under saddle yesterday that he didn't feel great; I don't want to take him to a lesson and demand that he put out if he's not up to snuff somewhere. And I don't want to work towards being ready for a November 8 show at the expense of my horse's soundness.
6 comments:
Oh Michelle, fingers crossed he is right as rain come lesson time.
How does he do when turned out, or when free lunged? That would be my next step after a day of rest. So sorry this is going on-you must be worried. I know as Nick has become very careful after his tendon injury and will lift that hind foot if he steps wrong occasionally. He then works it out and I do let him have a few days off to make sure. I wonder if Lance, and Nick, are learning to moderate their movement when a tweak is possible. Finally, I am feeding Cosequin. That might help Lance.
Thank-you for your good wishes, Theresa. Rick said he'd check him out with hoof testers sometime today to rule that possibility out or in.
Mary, unless he's been cooped up for awhile, he just stands and eats or walks around in the 'pasture' (sacrifice area at this point), and he's still doing that as usual. The only place I can free lunge him is in the arena, and I don't want to ask him to move out there. After all Russell's injuries and then Lance's problems early on, I am worried, yes. And hopefully a lot more attentive and pro-active!
i hope he's feeling better soon :( also what a clever harrow!
Me, too, Emma!
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