Update time!

Dr. T came out on Wednesday at 3. We jogged in the arena and did a flexion on the back left to re-verify, confirm, and compare his lameness there to the previous friday.

He moved fine on it until it hurt (was flexed hard and palpitated aggressively by Dr T) and then he trotted "off".

We also went at walked and trotted on flat concrete to see his balance. This was really cool... He's toed out in front (knew that already) and he interferes in back.

To watch him trot and really study the flight of his legs is kind of like watching a model on the runway. His hoof prints do not stay in their tracks, he almost walks a straight line down his body, swinging his (hind) hooves in, and then down, and then rolling .

He is shod correctly for his hoof shape and structure, and until this past month, he rarely interfered.

The cause? We (strongly) predict hocks. Before his hock injections, his joints were less comfortable, he had a shorter stride, and his movement was not as animated. Since the injections, he's become (much) more comforatble, developed a longer stride, and his movement is much more animated. He's more comfortable with himself, and it doesn't hurt him to move the way his body is set up to move.

So, to remedy this, we are coordinating with our FABULOUS farrier, Derek Perry, to adjust his balance to hopefully change the flight of his leg to move out, and forward inside of in and down.

For pain management, we have started using the topical ointment, Surpass, and the pill Previcox. Both are anti-inflammatories, but Surpass (though indicated for arthritic joints) has proven itself to be most useful in relieving pain in the skin. It's often perscribed for horses with Scratches (which is a painful skin infection) and issues like this, where scars have nerve damage.

So, that's the game plan for now, folks! He remains happy, active, and in work. We take breaks when he hits himself, and then we keep on truckin' along... :)

Here's a picture of the initial injury, just after being doctored.

Here's a picture of the X-Rays we took in Sept.

I'll post a picture of the scar currently when I take one...