Oh How I Hate Gravel. (longish, sorry!)

[JenHunt]

Went to catch up our horses on Saturday afternoon, they were in a field that they hate, they are convinced that there is nothing for a horse to eat in this particular field (although it's not great, there is some, and we give them haylage) and so they usually come up to the gate when you call. I called, and called and no sign. I went into the field (you can't see much of the field from the gate) thinking they'd be asleep in the sunshine somewhere, but no, they were at the far end, wide awake and just watching me.

Ron won't come up to you first, he always makes Tom move first. But he didn't, and Tom didn't move. I'm thinking this is really odd. put head collar on Ron and rope over his neck, then went to Tom (who still hadn't moved). Went to walk off and nobody moved. Tom was trying to put his front right down toe first and not put weight on it. Thinking he'd got a stone in it I whipped out the hoofpick and picked out three feet and he wouldn't let me pick up the left front. He's usually so obedient it was worrying.

I went and got mum and we led them in really slowly. Tom was absolutely hopping lame. No signs of heat or swelling, and not much to felt pulse wise in his fetlock/pastern. Cold hosed him for 20 mins, stable bandages on and box rest. Called the vet, who said he'd come out Monday after agreeing with my Mum that it was most likely gravel from the symptoms but to ring if they changed.

He came out Monday morning. He saw him hobble up the track and back and then spent 15 mins trying to remove the shoe. He pincered the foot and concluded the same as I had from watching him walk that the pain was inside rear quarter of the hoof. Then he pared away at the hoof, but couldn't find the gravel.

He's given us AntiBiotics and some pain killers to help keep Tom comfortable and told us to keep on poulticing the foot and if there's no change in a week he'll come out again. So basically, apart from the drugs, there was no need for the vet. But he is pretty to look at.

Mean time, because Tom is a fairy and can't be in on his own, Ron is having to be on box rest too, and is getting fatter and less fit by the minute. Not that he minds!

Just feel so sorry for Tom, he obviously doesn't feel too bad in himself, but is soo lame you'd think he'd broken something or dislocated his elbow or something. But there's nothing else I can do!

ETA - cookies and Tea for those who get this far!

 

[JenHunt]

Just a bit of an update...

Went up this evening, Mum had managed to let Ron into the little 'starvation' paddock that's at the end of our yard, as she was out in the garden she figured she'd hear if Tom was getting too upset. But Ron was feeling nice and just stood at the end of the yard and nibbled the grass nearest him. He must have gone for a roll later on judging by the state of him, but Tom seems reasonably settled.

Tom is considerably less lame than he was this morning - which has to be a good thing, but I don't know if that's just the pain killers.? The poultice that I put on this morning was stinking and pretty manky. It does look like something has come out, but cant really tell where from. Reapplied, and after being knee'd in the thigh, and nipped on the ar5e by the terror, I got the vetrap on to hold it in place. Then took him onto the paddock in hand for some grass while Dad mucked out quickly. Ron decided this was fun and tried to start some sillyness, but after a scowl and a stamp from me he went back to eating.

Tom happily went back into his box, and Ron decided to put himself away as well, obviously think he was going to get haylage as well as spring grass! But no such luck.

I had a cup of tea with my parents, walked their dog for a bit and called onto the yard before I went home to give the boys a carrot each. Ron was still in his stable, still hoping for food to come to him! He came onto the yard while I was giving Tom his carrot and was being all soppy and cuddly. This is such a rare event that I delayed my departure for a cuddle, a scratch (which was almost, almost returned) and a kiss. He then followed me down to the front gate sort of wanting more. One more scratch in the armpit and another kiss and he toddled off back to the yard to look after his friend who was shreiking like he'd been abandoned for weeks on end!

so, a bit of an improvement, but still not there yet. I do hate Gravel.