Should I feel guilty?

[galacasinoking]

Ok to cut a long story short...
My 13 year old welsh cob is going in for xrays tomorrow. After being intermittently lame, he had nerve blocks in both front feet & the vet found he is lame in both fronts. The vet says he has flat feet (which I had never realy realised!) & also big heels (which I had noticed but didnt think about it being a problem)
Firstly, should I feel guilty (because I am!) about the fact that I did not realise he had flat feet? Ive owned horses for years & I have 13 years experience, so I would like to think Im 'screwed on' when it comes to things like this. Im just feeling realy guilty because I thought his feet were ok. The farrier has not ever mentioned anything about him having flat feet, or his big heels.
Also, can anyone prepare me for what to expect tomorow when I take him in for xrays? (Ive never been down this road before) Hes a sensitive chap & gets quite worked up in strange places so he will probably be quite uptight.
I am dreading the results. This horse is my life, Ive known him since he was 4years old & Ive never had a bond like this with any other horse.

 

[Samantha008]

Where abouts are you going for x rays?

When my mare went, they stood her in this metal stall, a bit like the ones they use for cattle, Luckily my mare is a brave trooper and she just stood there and didnt panic. I think a lot of the time they have to sedate the horse as even i found it claustrophobic. Owners can stay in with the horse if they want and you have to wear a lovely heavy apron. They then move the x ray machine to the place on the horse they need to take x rays. The radiographer i had was lovely and kept giving lexi things to lick and chew to keep her relaxed.

But other than that, its fine and dont panic. Its over in under an hour and when theyre done, at least at liphook, they get to go and stand in a lovely deep bedded stable with yummy haylage

 

[galacasinoking]

hi thanks for replying
well im literally getting someone to take us there, having the xrays done, then transporting him home again. well thats what Ive been told!? but if you say they usualy sedate them then surely its not safe to travel him back? he is going to my vets but its not like a place with stabling etc, its literally just at the back of a small veterinary practice, so I dont realy know whats happening. My vet didnt explain very much, he just said have you got transport & bring him down. Although he did say horses had been taken there before for xrays, so it must be possible? im realy realy dreading the procedure and the results.

 

[unbalanced]

You shouldn't feel guilty. Guilt won't help your horse. You didn't know and that's that. What will help your horse is positive emotions and getting on with things - you need to be strong and focus on the future.

My horse has had loads of x-rays and honestly it is no big deal. She just likes to be expensive I swear! Our vet has a portable x-ray machine so can sometimes come to the yard but if it's booked out or broken you have to go to the clinic. They have a couple of stables for inpatients and I would be very surprised if your vet doesn't have at least a few stables because sometimes your horse has to wait in one e.g. waiting for nerve blocks to take effect or something. Also inpatients stay there - my horse stayed in once when she had a virus.
My vet doesn't use stocks and you just take your horse inside the room and hold him. Like the other poster said, anyone that's present has to wear a lead apron which is really heavy. If you're pregnant or under 18 they won't let you stay. If your horse is nervous he or stamping around he will be sedated at this point - this is more to protect the x-ray machine than anything else as they are rather expensive. If they're x-raying the foot he has to put his foot on a little stand so they can get the angle right. The vet or vet nurse helps him do it and it's really easy. They will probably take a few shots of different angles to get a full picture. Afterwards he goes to stand in a stable or gets tied up and you go in the back room to look at the pictures on the computer.
The sedative your vet will give is fast acting and your horse will come round pretty quickly. By the time you have done the x-rays, looked at them, discussed them and talked about a treatment plan he will have come round. Then you have to put on all his travelling gear on and everything so that is loads of time. He will be absolutely fine to travel back.
I have a really nice vet so I usually bring tea and cake for this part. Whatever the news is, whether it is good or bad news, seeing the x-rays is a good thing because you are taking a positive step forward in your horse's treatment. Now you have some solid facts to work with. You can finally stop googling every horrific condition you have ever heard of (at least, that is what I do) and narrow it down to just one thing and your vet is going to help to make a sensible plan of what to do about it and MAKE YOUR HORSE BETTER. This is A GOOD THING. If you are really worried, bring a friend. But it will be ok, I promise.
From someone who has been there WAY more times than I should have.