Rocky's sister Philly has ring bone in her right hind foot. She's three years old and my Dad just bought her from the same breeder/trainer that I got Rocky from. Apparently last winter Philly kicked out in the round pen, hitting her foot on the steel bar and injuring her pastern. Since then she has gained extraneous bone growth around her pastern and going over her fetlock.
The vet says it is only a matter of time until she gets arthritis, and will need to have her pain managed on a regular basis for the rest of her life.
My Mom has made the decision to send Philly back to the breeder/trainer, as supporting a horse who will never be able to be worked hard or who will eventually live in pain is not part of the plan. It's too much money for a damaged horse who is so young.
I'm sad because a three year old filly with so much potential will never be able to be used for more than light riding, and there are not a lot of homes for horses like that.
I'm sad because at some point, she will get arthritis and experience some level of pain on a daily basis.
I'm sad that someday, she will likely have to be put down because the pain will become unmanageable, and she will not be comfortable as even a pasture pet.
I'm sad because I have been so excited to work with her, to spend time with her and get to know Rocky's sister. Now she is leaving for an uncertain fate.
I understand the decision to sell her back to her breeder and on a purely practical level agree with it. I just can't get her soft eyes out of my head.
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