The Howie Chronicles

It was overdue. Way overdue. Howie has struggled with a bad stifle all his life and it was time to find out just how bad it was. We tried chiro, we tried long, low and forward, we tried hills, we tried special shoeing, we tried all the usual therapies but it was still locking up. And Howie had finally had enough. He was starting to get grumpy, Howie? really? And he was starting to get resentful under saddle. I don't blame him, it hurt. So off we went to the big-time lameness vet to see just how bad things were. I wasn't sure if it was good or bad when he looked at me and said "He's really sound!" Jeez, a 2 1/2 hour trip and will it all be for naught? We couldn't make him catch, I wasn't surprised. So off we go to ultrasound. The joint is fine, the ligament is lax, as expected. The joint is fine, the joint is fine, the joint is fine, that was all I could hear. I was so worried that after all these years there would be major damage to the joint. I guess my being conservative and letting my horse slowing grow up worked in my (and his) favor. So an internal blister and back home with instructions to "go ride!, get back to work!" was the best possible news anyone could ask for. Howie is already back to his happy, willing self.