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[RC] Is my horse off? - Follow up - Aaron TurnageThanks to everyone that responded both publically and privately. I was able to speak with a few riders who are more familiar with this vet and I am feeling much better now. I guess he can come across as a little "abrupt" sometimes. I received some excellent tips on how to better watch for and evaluate any potential lameness myself. I have not been able to see anything, but will try some more high-tech methods this weekend. As I stated earlier, I do respect this vet's opinion, that is why I was concerned. I just wasn't sure if I was running into a case of "my horse moves differently and that is his normal way of going" or "there is a potential problem here." I'll be keeping an extra careful eye on things. As for the cursory completion exam, I tend to agree with Alisanne who stated the vets should at least give the riders a quick comment as to what they are seeing, so the riders can be better
educated. I've only been doing this for 3 years so am still very much learning. If I had ANY question as to my horse's metabolics post-ride, you can bet I would have been right back over there going, "Please check this horse. Something is not right." In fact, I had requested a second check on gut sounds (even though they were a B at first check) prior to leaving the 35-mile check since my boy did not eat very well, he was more interested in napping. =) I just wanted to make sure he was fine to continue on. He ate quite well at the finish. I guess I just should not have been so intimidated and come back in an hour or so, when I was definitely "completed" and asked for some more specifics on the lameness. It could be that he was still "fit to continue" but there was something very minor that this vet saw. Oh well, lessons learned. ~ Crysta
AJandCrysta at sbcglobal.net
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