I've had a bad feeling for several months that Dusty is not sound. I tried to tell myself he just didn't quite know how to use his young body and that with muscle buildup and good nutrition he would be fine.
Last Tuesday we had a 5 mile cart trek with other drivers. 5 is a little farther than usual, but we do 4 frequently so it wasn't a case of being out of condition. A little on pavement but mostly on nice soft surface.
He seemed fine when we got home, but every day moved a little slower until yesterday he would hardly move at all. I gave him some banamine, which helped.
Today he is moving, but barely. I recall, trying to look back and see a sequence, that he objected to the crupper at first while harnessing for the drive. I usually lift the tail and massage a little. He did not want me to lift his tail. Being in denial, I just thought he was being silly. Also, I notice just in the last month he is wearing the toes on his hind hooves, as though they are dragging a little.
He was bitten by a rattlesnake at 2 1/2 and nearly died. (I believe the tooth issues were caused by that, but who can say for sure?) He does no jumping and I do not lunge; his ground work is all straight work, except for bending excercises. He did not begin pulling the cart until he was 3. Last trim was 4 weeks ago and trimmer commented he has good feet. He has never borne weight on his back. To my knowledge, neither his dam nor sire have any issues.
He is eating fine. I did start him on a joint supplement a few weeks ago. I don't detect any swelling.
He is so friendly and willing. I am just sick with worry.
I have an appt tomorrow with vet (luckily I already had the appt because of tooth maintainance). What shall I ask him? How can I find out what's going on? I have never had a horse with this issue so have no experience.
I did not give banamine today; hate to leave him in obvious pain but I think the vet can tell better what is going on if Dusty has no banamine.
Last Tuesday we had a 5 mile cart trek with other drivers. 5 is a little farther than usual, but we do 4 frequently so it wasn't a case of being out of condition. A little on pavement but mostly on nice soft surface.
He seemed fine when we got home, but every day moved a little slower until yesterday he would hardly move at all. I gave him some banamine, which helped.
Today he is moving, but barely. I recall, trying to look back and see a sequence, that he objected to the crupper at first while harnessing for the drive. I usually lift the tail and massage a little. He did not want me to lift his tail. Being in denial, I just thought he was being silly. Also, I notice just in the last month he is wearing the toes on his hind hooves, as though they are dragging a little.
He was bitten by a rattlesnake at 2 1/2 and nearly died. (I believe the tooth issues were caused by that, but who can say for sure?) He does no jumping and I do not lunge; his ground work is all straight work, except for bending excercises. He did not begin pulling the cart until he was 3. Last trim was 4 weeks ago and trimmer commented he has good feet. He has never borne weight on his back. To my knowledge, neither his dam nor sire have any issues.
He is eating fine. I did start him on a joint supplement a few weeks ago. I don't detect any swelling.
He is so friendly and willing. I am just sick with worry.
I have an appt tomorrow with vet (luckily I already had the appt because of tooth maintainance). What shall I ask him? How can I find out what's going on? I have never had a horse with this issue so have no experience.
I did not give banamine today; hate to leave him in obvious pain but I think the vet can tell better what is going on if Dusty has no banamine.