I arrived at the barn at 8:20 to begin getting Sargent ready for day#3 of the clinic. I brought him into the grooming shoot, not noticing anything unsusal. After brushing his body, mane and tail, I moved to picking out his feet. The 4th hoof I asked him to pick up was his left hind. He NEVER resists picking up his rears, but often does his fronts. When I finally got his left rear off the ground, he was locked at the hock and would not flex it. When the joint did flex, there was a loud “pop” and Sargent jumped! He was then extreme sore on that leg.
I walked him aroung the arena and he was definately “gimpy.” IT was unclear if the problem was in the hock or hip in the left hind. Several times, the leg seems to simply buckle out from beneath him, causing him to stumble. I could not identify any obvious cause for the problem. There was no swelling in the leg or joints, no heat, no kick marks, nothing to suggest a reason for the sudden and extreme lameness.
I watched the morning session of the clinic, but found it hard to focus on the class. I am very devastated. I am beginning to wonder if Sargent’s conformation is poor enough to prevent him from being a servicable/ridable horse. I cannot afford to board a pasture pet. But, I fear what Sargent’s future might be if I do not keep him. Who will want a horse that is not useful, but still has may years of life in him?? Even if someone wanted a pasture mate for their horse, I cannot help but think about the future when that person no longer wants or needs him. The Michigan economy is BAD: many very nice, well broke/sound horses have been sent to slaughter. I have to stop thinking about it until I see Dr. Ryaml and find out exactly what is going on. I hope to be able to take him into the clinic tomorrow for an evaluation.
