My Horse loves ---- estrogen?

Ok. Actually he doesn't love it. He could care less. But Bute paste, he hates.

But that is exactly what the Doc put him on for two weeks (Doc said he might turn into a bitch - hahha) to reduce the now severe locking of his stifle (he actually fell down in his stall and couldn't get up it was so bad). He's only allowed in his stall to eat for now, no standing around.

He gets the Estrogen twice a week for two weeks, and Bute twice a day.

Next weekend I have to take him out and ride somewhere with hills and walk walk walk. The "cyst" on his spine is "probably" damage scar tissue from the spill he took running in the pasture in 2011. Doc thinks that he's done something to irritate it and it's inflamed, and the saddle is hitting there now that it's a lump, which aggravates the swelling. I have to pad him way up and see how it goes. Cody is a pitiful horse when he doesn't feel good. He pouts and mopes and acts like he's dying. Sure did scare me last ride, he was so lethargic. Hoping this treatment does the trick!

I had to baby him through his dinner tonight. He was pouty and wouldn't eat unless I stood next to him and stroked his neck. Next time he gets the Bute AFTER he eats.

Here is a pic I took of him running the other day.

 Here is Annie, Cody and I in the pond playing.

Bad Day for Cody

Yesterday, we went to Alafia River State Park, one of our favorite places to ride. The day started off well enough but it was soon obvious that Cody wasn't himself. His stifle locked a few times but he worked that out and the more active he is, the less it hitches.

He dragged along at the back of the pack... behind T even. Which is pretty unheard of for Cody. He prefers the front, though he'll settle for the middle, but he's never content to be last. He was slow moving, sweating heavily, walking with his head lower than usual and just plain unhappy.

Also the small "lump" on his lumbar (noticed it after Tillis Hills this year) is inflamed and tender.

Time for the vet.