Sam's developing drug problem

Well I got the results back from the vet who says they are simple nodular sarcoids which means that they are not potentially cancerous. So he told me to keep an eye on them (which does get some funny looks when I am peering up between Sam's legs at the stables!) and to contact them again if any more turn up. This kind of sarcoid is quite common in horses so hopefully all should be ok.

Anna the physio came as well and it seems that everything is not quite so sunny with Sam's back - actually to be more specific his back legs especially his near hind. Turns out that the years of racing mean his legs have weakened and he is getting the start of an equine version of arthritis i.e. a bit gammy. This has meant that he drags his near hind toe when he trots (which I as a bad mummy had not noticed) as he has difficulties lifting the back legs up fully and also explains the bad back as his back is having to make up for the stiffness. So the plan is to work more on building up his back using lots of lunge work and also to get him onto a bute substitute to see if the pain killing effect will make a difference. So have been onto Frogpool Manor (v good website) and put in my order for Net-Tex Substi-Bute (catchy name no?). I will start Sam on it for a week and see if it does indeed make any difference - the lady at the shop says many racehorse trainers swear by it so we shall see.

By the way in case anyone has forgotten that I am still riding Sam during all these various minor calamities I will take my new camera to the stables at the weekend and will put some more photos up.

Stress & Sarcoids

There seems to be a bit of a theme with me remembering to update this blog. As is evident I have not put anything up here for a while and it has been yet more problems with Samuel that have triggered me to add something. In the last couple of days he has managed to a) cut his leg and get it infected, b) have his back go again and c) and most worrying, develop three sarcoids in his groin area. The leg was quite blown up until the middle of this week but when I checked him yesterday that seems to have gone down so fingers crossed it is sorted. Anna the lovely physio is coming to see him next week for his back, which just leaves the horrible great lumps round his nether regions :( I rang the vets this morning to request a vet go out ASAP to check him over - as ever I got little joy as they are busy blah blah blah. But after reringing and emphasising just how stressed I am the vet should be going to see him in an hour or so. So I am sat at my desk at work stressing and waiting for the results to come back. From reading my BHS Veterinary Manual and various websites I am not sure if I am over reacting of if I really should start worrying. Not good at all. Will come back once I know what the initial answer is...