The One With the Splints

I recall reading somewhere that Arabians are tough. After all, haven’t Arabians or Arab crosses been winning the Tevis Cup for like…forever?? That’s not some easy feat after all. It takes bravado, and endurability, and good bone structure.

On second thought. Have you ever been to an Arabian breeders farm? Most of the horses over the age of 2, are relegated to single 1/8 acre lots. “Why?” you ask. I’ll tell you why. Because Arabians are crazy horses. There. I said it. *whew* (I feel like a weight has been lifted now.)

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my Arabians. But they are not the brightest. They have a love of running – which I thoroughly can appreciate. However, my three year old Sudi was feeling particularly spunky over the weekend when the temperatures dropped unprecedentedly low for a Charleston Spring. He ended up spending the day running, spinning, jumping, galloping, leaping – you name it.

Sunday night when I was beginning my normal grooming process I found them. There they were; two tiny, but unmistakable, bumps on the insides of his two front legs. He was sound as could be, but they obviously hurt him because when I squeezed on them, he actually lifted his leg up!

I ended up slathering his front legs with DMSO and wrapping them. He is now spending his days with two front wrapped legs in the ring with fellow invalid, baby Thor. I’ll probably leave him that way until we leave on Friday for the show.

So lesson learned here: Arabs are only as tough as their pastures.