injured reserve

Damn. No fun camping trip. No riding for four weeks. Major is on the injured reserve list.

On Tuesday after an evening ride I noticed a hard knot on his left front. It was better on Wednesday, and since there was no heat, no soft swelling and no lameness, I figured it didn't need an emergency holiday vet call. But I did my research, and of course panicked.

It is great to have equine medical books, and the internet, but also a curse. Options include: his leg was going to fall off and die, horrible cripple, some expensive but solvable thing, minor inconvenience or it was nothing.

It didn't look like nothing, my best guess was a lateral fracture of the splint bone. But usually that involves a hard smack on something, which hadn't happened on our ride. I made an appointment and took Major to the vet, knowing an xray would be needed.

I was able to get an appointment on a Saturday, which was convenient. My vet was Dr. Langdon Fielding, who was great, and also an endurance rider. Major mostly behaved himself, though he got a bit antsy inside the building at the X-ray machine. He had to stand still, or they'd have to sedate him, but this is only the second time Major had ever been inside a building! But we got it done.

And I was right. This time I don't like being right, but as injuries go this seems to be pretty minor. Dr. Fielding said his horse had a similar injury before Tevis one year. Major's prognosis is good, just rest for the bone to heal. He doesn't have to be confined if he's not an idiot: we shall see. Re X-ray in four weeks. Until then, watch us both go stir crazy.

Seriously, no riding? That's ok, but can't take Major on a hike, nothing? Arrggh! I'm seriously going to find something to occupy my time. Definitely need to exercise more, and then? Finish painting the house? I have no idea.

* * * 

Major says: I went in the box this morning, I thought we were going for a fun adventure. When I was in the box two screaming things went by, loud!

They were fire trucks Major.

Then I got to this place that smelled like lots of horses. Mom said it was the V.E.T. It was ok, but I wanted to explore and Mom wouldn't let me. 

We have to wait our turn Major, plus you can't go explore everywhere, there might have been sick horses around.

I bet I could make them feel better! Oh good, we're going somewhere now. Oh, I don't want to go in the scary room!

We'll be OK, just pay attention and behave.


There's no sky! Scary, dancing, can we leave!!??

Just stay still a bit, you're just claustrophobic. 

I like grass and trees and sky, that's all I know. I don't know closet-phobic. Standing, standing, this is about all I can handle...

Knock it of.

standing, standing...

OK, done! See, not so bad. Let's go home.



Yeah, home, must roll off the V.E.T. smell. Oh, and carrots! Hmmm, icy thing on my leg...whatever, carrots!

You were a good boy, Now you get a long vacation. Oh, and I got you this better mask which will help the sunburn. 

Is it the smelly nose lotion? I don't like that stuff. Oh, a new face thing. It feels funny, and doesn't come off when I shake my head! Don't laugh, I had a bad day.