Bronco Boy is Off

And I Didn't Win the Raffle

After church, I had time to go out to lunch with a friend and then just enough time to head to the saddle store for the raffle.  There was a huge line at the cash register, so I never did get any more tickets, but I had 7 in the tumbler...all to no avail.  Once again, I did not win.  Sooner or later, they are going to have to give me a longevity prize.

I did get some new feed tubs for the Boys as theirs are pretty squished and cracked.  Time and rubbing tails on them does take its toll.

Anyhow, the raffle was at 2 PM, I still had to stand in line, so by the time I got home, there was enough daylight to ride at least one horse.

Or rather, try to ride one horse. Tucker was the obvious choice as I wanted to see how he felt today.

As soon as I got on, I knew something was up. Mainly, his hind end. It felt six inches higher than it should have. Instead of dropping his hind end to step off at the walk, it was almost as if he lifted it instead.  I walked just a little until I felt it drop and start to move bit better and then put my leg on for trot.  He laid his ears back and balked.  I pushed a bit more--this was on the right rein--and got the same reaction--no trot. So I reversed and asked for trot. This time, he trotted off, but it certainly didn't feel fluid. He was not limping, just not really moving well.  Needless to say, I didn't even think of canter.

I took him back into the barn and got the lunge line.  Then I had to almost drag him back out to the arena, all the time reassuring him that I wasn't going to work him but just needed to watch him move.

On the left rein, he trotted off and looked fine, but when I reversed him, he was limping.  More by the feel under saddle rather than the observation on the lunge line, I still suspect its the hind end.  I didn't make him go around for even a full circle, mostly because I wanted him to know that I understood what he was trying to tell me.

Indulgent mom, perhaps, but there is a difference between a horse that refuses to work because he's lazy and one that refuses because he's in pain.  In this case, Tucker deserves the benefit of the doubt.

I'll call the vet tomorrow, hoping to get my acupuncture/chiropractic doctor out this time. I know Tuck has some hock issues and would benefit from injections, but I can't afford that expense right now unless it's absolutely necessary.  This feels more as if he's thrown something out in his back or hips.

Either way, I will not be riding or lunging him until he gets checked out.

Looks like Chance steps into center stage for the time being.