October 1-5, 2011 - A blow, some hope - dashed

On the first of October Rory came in with a bump just below the hock on the front of his left hind leg.  I've seen similar injuries before and although I'm hoping it's just that he knocked himself on something, I suspect he's strained the extensor tendon.  A strained extensor is relatively mild, and they do tend to heal well so it wasn't the end of the world, but it would mean not going to the second Cup Qualifier next weekend.

I treated the bump with the usual cold therapy and poulticing, but it wasn't really responding and by October fourth I was losing hope.  Entries needed to be in by midnight on the fifth so I had to make the decision the next day.  I'm not too worried about the extensor tendon.  I've had to look after this injury several times before.  They heal well when given a little time and gentle return to work.  Rory's not lame, nor is he very sensitive or hot over the area so I think it is a minor strain.  Just enough to keep him out of the second Cup qualifiers.

I'm disappointed.  Even though the Cup classes weren't a major goal for Rory, I really felt he would do better at the next qualifier and was looking forward to it.  But it's not important enough to risk further injury.