New arrival - meet Winston

Another little update as am super proud of my boy.
So a while ago my boy went into horspital to have a couple of sarcoids lasered off - one between his back legs under his tail, and another just infront of his armpit. He was so good, travelled really well both ways and was apparently perfectly behaved for the staff. He was such a good patient allowing me to pick bits of straw out and apply silver spray. (Well for the first couple of weeks, when he then ran out of patience).
So he's had three weeks of not being ridden, as the one near his armpit is close enough to his girth that I didn't want to risk him getting sore. But they've been healing well, so today we decided to go for a little ride.
So off we went around the first half of the field on our very first solo hack (with a foot soldier for moral support) and he was such a dude.
So pleased to be back on my boy.
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They also popped him on the scales at the vet, so feel free to guess his weight.
 
Have been following Winston’s story as it very much mirrors that of my boy who is a strawberry roan 16.2 Belgian/Clydie cross ( not in the pic - that’s my old boy). He’s 11 this year and he has been with me since he was 4. A couple of things you said were familiar to me - mine still doesn’t like leading on my left during ground work and will find the first opportunity to nip behind me and change sides! He was also not easy with his feet when I first got him, particularly his hinds, but we have got there now. He also had sarcoids lasered, on his bits and his armpits. Coincidences!
 
jojo5 said:
Have been following Winston’s story as it very much mirrors that of my boy who is a strawberry roan 16.2 Belgian/Clydie cross ( not in the pic - that’s my old boy). He’s 11 this year and he has been with me since he was 4. A couple of things you said were familiar to me - mine still doesn’t like leading on my left during ground work and will find the first opportunity to nip behind me and change sides! He was also not easy with his feet when I first got him, particularly his hinds, but we have got there now. He also had sarcoids lasered, on his bits and his armpits. Coincidences!
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Oh, would love to see a picture of your boy
 
When I first saw your sales pics, I thought, I wonder if she will hog him and tried to imagine what it would look like! And I have to say, he looks really smart!
 
Things have been a little stop/start over the last few weeks with saddle issues. Saddler has been out several times to try and rectify the issue as lumps were forming around his withers. Despite trying various things it just wasn't working, so he is in a temporary borrowed saddle for now.
These issues also coincided with him not standing still at the mounting block (hard to tell if related, but quite possible), so spent time practicing as he was showing signs of being a bit anxious and confused about the whole process. Which he quickly picked up

Also cracked on with horsebox practice and he went on his first drive about. All very good.
So took him to his first 'arena' hire. Actually hired a lunge pen at a local yard, so went for a very low pressure outing. He took it all in his stride, and didn't look at anything, even the horse walker alongside the lunge pen, or the riders in the next door arena.

This last week we have been cracking on with his hacking, and he has massively gained in confidence and has been happily leading out other horses, and even walking out away from them as they dawdled behind.

And then yesterday we went for a proper arena hire. Another new venue to him, and first time indoors. He was absolutely brilliant - stood to be tacked up, calmly led around the school before getting on. He was fascinated with the mirrors, windows and judges box. But we had a nice walk and trot around with no drama at all.

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He's had a busy few days, and has spent all day sleeping
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Had been hoping to update this thread with lots of fun, positive outings. I was booked in for his first pole work clinic away from home, and I had my eye on an in hand showing show.
However, as always with horses, things have not gone to plan.
Winston developed what I thought was very stubborn thrush in multiple feet, but in one hind in particular it just was not budging and seemed to be 'oozing' almost like an abscess. Then I found a white 'growth' coming out the side of his frog. Farrier kindly came out next day to check and said 'dont want to worry you bit it think that's canker'. He's only seen it once. Cue me immediately panicking and going to worst case scenario. Phoned vet straight away and he came out the next morning. He confirmed that yes, it's canker. ☹️
So without any hesitation, Winston was sedated and nerve blocked the foot, and the vet cut it out.
I have been madly reading everything I can about canker, and been on the full rollercoaster of emotions.
Unfortunately just 4 days after the debridement, the canker returned (vet had warned this would probably happen, but even he was surprised at the speed at which it grew back). So he came out again on Monday to cut more out and went as deep as he dared go.
Winston has been an absolute star through all his vet visits, poulticing and box rest. The future is still very much unknown and some days are more positive then others, but I will do what I can for him.
Pics below are of the original 'growth' that I spotted, and then the hoof two days after the original debridement.IMG-20250618-WA0002~2.jpgIMG-20250622-WA0003~2.jpg
 
Oh my word, you must be beside yourself. My heart goes out to you.
Fingers crossed the debridement works.. I've seen canker once before, it is unbelievably rare these days but by the looks of it you've caught it early.

Funnily enough the horse I knew that had it was a buckskin too. She lived well into her twenties with it, but required a lot of maintenance, unfortunately it was never really diagnosed properly as so few understand it.

Healing vibes and massive hugs heading your way.
 
ElectricChampagne said:
Oh my word, you must be beside yourself. My heart goes out to you.
Fingers crossed the debridement works.. I've seen canker once before, it is unbelievably rare these days but by the looks of it you've caught it early.

Funnily enough the horse I knew that had it was a buckskin too. She lived well into her twenties with it, but required a lot of maintenance, unfortunately it was never really diagnosed properly as so few understand it.

Healing vibes and massive hugs heading your way.
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Thanks
Yep, it has completely thrown me, and there have been many tears. Vet is optimistic as he has not been lame at all (happily hacking out barefoot the day before the vet came). But I am being very realistic over what I will put him (and myself) through.
Looks like it is more common in heavy horses, not helped by the hyperkeratosis causing excess frog growth. Also research show a link to the bovine papilloma virus, which is also believed to cause sarcoids, which he has had.
 
mavandkaz said:
Thanks
Yep, it has completely thrown me, and there have been many tears. Vet is optimistic as he has not been lame at all (happily hacking out barefoot the day before the vet came). But I am being very realistic over what I will put him (and myself) through.
Looks like it is more common in heavy horses, not helped by the hyperkeratosis causing excess frog growth. Also research show a link to the bovine papilloma virus, which is also believed to cause sarcoids, which he has had.
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Fingers crossed for you both.
 
What a lovely looking chap and sorry about the canker

*IHW rapidly disappears off onto Google, I’ve heard of it but don’t really know anything about it having in all my years never it!’

ETA - IHW went onto Google. Rapidly exited as does not need another thing to add to their paranoid hyperchondria for how horses can create heartbreak ❤️‍🩹
 
My heart goes out to you guys and I’ve got everything crossed that he recovers! He seems like such a lovely lad too ☹️

I’m another one who had to quickly close that google search due to horsey hypochondria 🫣
 
ihatework said:
What a lovely looking chap and sorry about the canker

*IHW rapidly disappears off onto Google, I’ve heard of it but don’t really know anything about it having in all my years never it!’

ETA - IHW went onto Google. Rapidly exited as does not need another thing to add to their paranoid hyperchondria for how horses can create heartbreak ❤️‍🩹
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Well yes, thats pretty much what I did when the farrier mentioned it. So a very sleepless night waiting for the vet, fully expecting to have to make some tough decisions (and I may yet have to).
But for now he is happy in himself, so just got to try and stay positive.

And not do anymore googling!!
 
Well it's been 8 weeks since his first debridement for the canker and I'm.pleased to say things are looking positive. His worst foot still shows some signs of it, although the growth has turned hard and isn't causing any pain when I touch it, or even scrap at it with the hoof pick. The other feet are looking improved too. He is now back to living a normal life and has been for several weeks which is the most important thing. He has antibiotics applied to his feet twice a day, but I have stopped poulticing as it's just too much (physically and economically), and his feet need to breath. He will continue with antibiotic paste fow another month of so, then long term (possibly the rest of his life) he will be maintained with antibiotic spray and red horse hoof products.
It's been great to be back to 'normal' and we've been cracking on with riding. Considering his time off he has been fab, especially as he had to ridden bareback for a few weeks whilst waiting for the saddler.

I will admit that when he was first diagnosed I completely panicked, and fully expected the worst. So I booked him in to have a mini photo shoot (my friend had bought me a voucher for Christmas). Really pleased with the finished product
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And in the spirit of cracking on whilst things are good...he went to his first ever show yesterday. It was a unaff local show, with some qualifiers for a local series and championship, so a mix of family friendly fun, and some more serious entries. He was such a good boy the whole morning, especially with all the waiting around and a lot of other horses about. First was in hand cob - he got a bit confused and didnt understand about trotting up so 3rd out of three, but good comments from the judge.
We then put a late entry in for 'most handsome gelding' to get more experience. He was so much better and did a lovely forward trot round. So got pulled in first 😁 again lovely comments from the judge, especially about his paces. And lots of admirers coming to give him pats.
So he got to wear his first ever rosette.received_1276944043907620~2.jpeg
Hopefully things continue to improve and we can get out and about before winter.
 
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