My buddy was lame last night. Not three-legged lame, but gimpy, off. It was the foot with the ringbone, that stays sound as long as he gets lots of turn-out, his MSM and glucosamine... I must admit I was bummed. Margaux, Carol and I were going out with Ashley, who was taking Runner on his first hack.
Daniel seemed off when I was leading him out of the pasture - just in how he lifted his head with his steps. I showed him to Ashley, and she thought that he looked off, but might walk out of it. I brought him up the the barn, picked his hooves, hoping it was a stone or something, and groomed him. I tacked him up and got on him. He seemed fine walking to the outdoor, and he seemed fine in the outdoor, happy to be walking around with Cayuga, Runner and Granit, but as soon as we started going uphill, he was off again!
I told everyone, "Sorry, go on without me, I'm taking him back." I went back to the outdoor, hopped off him, took his saddle off and walked him (carrying the saddle, aren't I a sucker!) back to the barn.
I hosed his leg off, even though there was no heat, and turned him back out.
I think I need to go back to weekly trims, I think hoofwall growth may be throwing that foot off.
