Monday's Stable Visit

Went out to the Stable Monday. Thought we would take advantage of the Family Day stat and spend some time with the ponies. While there we tended to some chores, filling the hay nets, organizing our lockers etc. Jesse brought Eli in while I was in the barn and turned him out in the Arena to burn off some excess energy and stretch ~ somewhat of their routine.

After finishing up a few things I decided to join them. Jesse worked on some ground work exercises, leading, turning and practicing space (personal bubble) then decided he wanted to hop on Eli for a ride. Normally I bring Eli in and tie him up in the cross ties, groom him, tack him up and then bring him into the arena. Today we had company with us and decided there was more space for me to tack him up in the Arena, so I grabbed his bridle and his saddle and brought it over.

In the Arena I fist put on his bridle with little to no trouble, he dropped his head and didn't make a fuss. Next I threw on the saddle pads while Jesse hung on to the reins and then the saddle, when doing up his girth he was a bit girthy. Before asking Jesse to walk him a bit so I could readjust the girth I picked up is feet to check them prior to Jesse hoping on GOOD thing I did because the first foot I picked up (front left) had a nail sticking out of it - OUCH! I was quite surprised BUT so happy that Jesse had decided to ride as it appeared it would save us even more trouble. Typically, when Jesse brings Eli in to turn him out he simply walks him threw the barn, into the arena and then back out again to his paddock when they are finished. I'm pretty sure that Eli picked the nail up in the arena dirt when he first came in, before I put his tack on he was running around playing and had already rolled in the dirt two or three times (wasn't showing any signs of lameness) so to think he picked it up and we might have walked him back through the barn on the concrete leads me to believe it would have pushed the nail in further. As indicated in the earlier post "Why it's important to check feet" I called the trainer for advice. After removing the roofing nail we walked him around, no signs of lameness, then I tightened up his girth and Jesse hopped on. With the extra weight on his back we checked to see if maybe it would make a difference. It didn't appear to, so Jesse went for a relaxed walk around the arena with him.

When I got home last night I called the Farrier and spoke to his wife, she advised to keep an eye on it, check for heat and soreness or him going lame and assured me that Brenden would investigate further come Saturday when Eli and Ella are scheduled to get their hooves trimmed. She didn't think it necessary to give him penicillin, or to soak the foot in Epsom Salt as it sounded as though the nail went into the excess frog skin that the horses shed and perhaps as he is a bit overdue for a trim it will be ok. That being said, horses step on things, things we see such as the nail, things we don't see - sticks or rocks out at pasture - when this happens they usually end up getting an abscess. It can always be much worse, I've stepped on nails before - not fun but happens.   

So, we'll take it easy until Saturday. In the meantime I am lucky to have support and nice people who have offered to help keep an eye on him. He's being checked daily by the Stable owner and the boarders who live on site so - is in good hands. Jesse enjoyed the quiet ride he had and we were lucky to have caught the nail right away