Not So Sound Anymore

[Allyson]

d**n it. Why was I fooling myself? Denial?

All summer Faith has been looking [glow=red,2,300]GREAT[/glow]

She could've even passed as serviceably sound.

Ehh...first rains come in with a chill, and we're back to being a creaky, stiff mess on 4 legs. SHE IS ONLY 8!!!! I get so angry when I think about it.

So...what to do? Let's face is...9 months out of the year it is this type of weather, or worse.

I keep holding out in hopes that she'll suddenly get better. I keep telling myself that she just needs time. But does she really?

[lorsadoon]

Oh, poor girl. Why is she so arthritic at such a young age. Was she raced or started to early?
If you have already explained this, you can point me in that direction and I will read up there.

[Allyson]

She did race, as a 2 yr old. But she's not really built well for that. Over the years I've talked to a few track people here and there, and they've been able to give me snippets of info. Apparently Faith didn't like racing, but was still in training, and could still run enough so that she had a couple starts. But she had trouble with riders- lots of airs above ground- lots of resistance.

Who knows if she was like that because of pain issues, or if those antics caused damage...

She was sound when I first got her, but over the years, started the on again/ off again...but never really returning to 100%

Once I have some extra cash I'd like to get some digital radiographs to see if there is anything we can pinpoint. But they are pricey. There is a chance she had ocd as a wee one, and there is also a good chance that she may have some genetic bone issues. Apparently they are more common than I'd thought.

Or she simply got worked too hard, too soon.

Whatever the case, I'll help her hang on for as long as kind. Last winter I was thisclose to putting her down- it was a pretty awful winter towards the end. She seemed to have sustained a strain in her right hind, which was making all other legs sore too from compensating.

Let's hope there is no repeat performance this year. She's already stiffer now with the colder weather. It is hard to watch because in her mind, she's super athletic. It's an ultimate punishment- like a fish that can't swim.

If it gets to be too bad, then I probably will help her pass on. But it'll be when the time is right.