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| 2017 Third Level |
About two weeks ago, Hampton suddenly came up lame on his right front.
It wasn't awful, but he was slightly head-bobbing at the trot, and only to the right. I initially thought stone bruise, or possibly an abscess presenting weird. Hampton is stoic, so sometimes he does not display pain like some other, wimpy horses might.
After waiting a few days, still no change. It wasn't getting better, and wasn't getting worse.
So, I called the vet for an exam.
And that is when Lameness Psychosis kicks in.
You all know what I'm talking about. It is a mental disorder I believe all horse people acquire at some point during horse ownership.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, grumpyness, fear, and racing thoughts.
Some of the thoughts that went through my mind include:
Is this serious
What if it is?
Should I just take him to Rood n Riddle for a full work up?
What if he needs an MRI?
WHERE WILL I GET THAT MONEY
What if it's a collateral ligament injury?
How would he do on long term stall rest?
Not well!
Would I be able to afford to send him to a rehab farm?
What if he will never be sound again?
Where could he retire?
Should I sell him to be a lower level school master?
He's only 11 dammit!
I cannot afford two horses.
He deserves a good life forever though. I can't sell him.
Would I be ok just trail riding him?
What if he can't be ridden anymore?
What if the vet finds something awful?
What if there is no hope?
WHAT IF HE DIES.
You can see how thinking these things for several days drove me nuts. Like, I did not eat a meal for about a week I was so worked up over this. Lameness Psychosis. IT IS REAL.
Upon notice of resulting vet bills, more severe symptoms may include vomiting, fainting, and banging your head on a wall.
Anyway, on Tuesday the vet came out and did an exam.
We found the issue pretty much immediately.
(to be continued ...)
This happened to me the other day. Murray got a tiny cut and it started to act a little proud flesh-y. I wrapped it and sidedst him inside for two days and the leg BALLOONED in the heat. I was in such a foul mood for the next day until I saw that with a little turnout and air circulation it was much calmer and happier...
ReplyDeleteFor me this type of psychosis is not limited to lameness.
ReplyDeleteI recommend omeprazole and a bottle of wine.
I hope everything turned out OK (and cheap)!
Did you cry or did I miss that symptom? I always cry!
ReplyDeleteWhat Jen said!
ReplyDeleteHigh anxiety stemming from the house building project has turned me into a super hypochondriac, who believes I probably will not live to move into my finished house.
Examples: random mystery spider bite I got in the barn - very likely from a brown recluse. Near constant stabbing pain in my calf - deep vein thrombosis...
Hoping it's something simple + affordable like an abscess. :D
This really spoke to me because I just went through an episode of lameness psychosis XD Henry was tender after a trim and I was beside myself.
ReplyDeleteBahaha! I am so familiar with this particular ailment.
ReplyDeleteI am currently very well versed in this. Except mine is continuing for 10 weeks until recheck, and at about week 5 I was crying by myself in the barn after Penn somehow seemed worse than day 1, despite the hundreds I've already spent. I was sure he would only be pasture sound and I'd have to figure out how to afford to keep him and a second horse. A side note, he seems to be doing a bit better.
ReplyDelete