Vet appointment # 2,929

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's doesn't feel very off. Ophie's mom had the vet out for an appointment so I decided to get Denali adjusted at the same time. I really liked the vet. She's from the big veterinary hospital, and more expensive, but very knowledgeable.

Denali was a very good girl for her appointment. The vet had me lunge her first before she worked on her. Denali was still lame, but not as bad as Wednesday. Her back was only out in a few spots by her pelvis, a marked improvement from this time last year. I asked the Vet a million questions about EPM and treating it. She said it is rare that it comes back, but that it is possible. She told me to not worry too much about it. I'm suppose to keep exercising her lightly until she is back to 100%. I passed this information on to Denali's lessor. I think she's so lame in the hind end from all the work she's been doing. She never uses her butt muscles, so I'm betting she pulled something while working over the cross rails or ground poles.

My favorite quote from the vet, "Don't' take this the wrong way, but what are two first time horse owners doing with OTTBs? "

I told her that technically I bought an Appendix ;o) I don't think that there is anything with owning an OTTB as your first horse, but doing so without having a trainer of someone to support you can be disastrous. (Remember this is all my opinion!) Denali had time off to be a horse, she is one of the smartest horses I know, and I have never fully regretted my decision (I say fully because there are days that I'm SO PISSED at her I want to pull my hair out.)

Here is my other question for you. At what point do you stop calling them an OTTB? I know some people who own 12 and 15 year old TB's and they talk about their OTTB, even though their horse has been off the track for 8 years and they only bought them AFTER they've had extensive re-training and then training in a specific discipline. Sometimes they are the second or third owner (after the track owner.) I also get annoyed when they complain that their horse freaks out because it is a Thouroughbred. That's not an excuss. I think that thoroughbreds are build differently, and have a different use early on in their careers, but if they are re-trained correctly they shouldn't have a problem. BUT, what do I know, right?

I turned Ms. D out in the arena after her appointment and proceeded to go pay and pick up some Bute to keep on hand (we got the powdered kind this time.) When I walked back into the barn I looked out into the arena to notice that Ms. Denali had opened up the doors on the other side the entire way (which opens onto a grassy patch and the other barn.) However, she was just standing in the arena with this look on her face that said, "Man, I really want that grass, but I know she'll kill me if I leave." I let out a little screech and called to Denali (I'm lucky, she comes to me almost every time I call for her) as I walked over to re-latch the gate. Geeze Denali, I know you wanted attention, but you could have just waited! I'm glad she didn't walk out of the arena. If she spooked that is where the owner keeps his arena tiller, usually spikes up, and THAT woudl be one horrible expereince!

I'm hoping the lameness turns out to be just soreness. Anyone else have this problem?