I'm itching to tell y'all about the magical things I learned while at the University of Georgia's Horse Owners' Seminar.

However, being an actual horse owner takes precedence and I want to update on the Kid.

When last we left off, the faithful steed was being treated for an abscess.  This required twice daily epsom soakings, bute, and a boot with icthammol.  And nighttime stall board, to dry out his feeters.

Friday morning, I met with my BM who had agreed to take over the soakings and bootings.  We both watched him walk, looked at each other, and unanimously decided that the dude had blown the abscess.  A few texts with my vet resulted in a change in plan:  no more bute and no more soaking, but continuing to boot with icthammol and stall board.

Sunday morning, I received a text that Archie's leg was swollen.  What'd I want to do?  It took a couple hours for me to get the text and reply (...I was sleeping in) and I asked if she could give him some bute.  She replied that she would, but that she also dry wrapped his front legs.

I got out to the barn at about 5:30 last night and Archie's leg was a little sausage from his knee to his hoof.  I cold hosed with no improvement and finally iced for a few minutes.  Then I poulticed and wrapped his leg, shoved some bute in his face, and tossed him in his stall bootless, because it seemed reasonable.

This morning, I got up early - like the leg was going to be magically better overnight and I could go to work on time - to pull my wrap.  Now, not only was the left front a sausage, but his left hind fetlock was hot and swollen to the pastern.  BM had an appointment with the vet already, so I sent him a text explaining the issue and put Archie back in his stall for a couple of hours.  Then I went home and took a nap.

The vet said that the abscess is still there.

Left front swelling directly resulted from the abscess.  Left hind from stocking up in a stall all night.  The new game plan, after the vet cut another little chunk out of his hoof:  still boot, still use icthammol, dry wrap overnight and apply Surpass (which, after dropping $60 on, I found out that a certain someone could have gotten me free samples) during the days.  So tired.  And then I'll see the vet again on Friday for vaccines and coggins.  He offered to do them today, but I'm going to be there Friday anyways.  Annnd... I want the recheck.