"Off"

"Off" means lame, like limping. Although I've known people to pronounce their horse as 'off' and no one could really tell. It is a great excuse if you need one. I knew a horse that would go lame in a couple walks around an arena if you used a loose rein.

Skip has been off. He's been trying to be off for going on two weeks, but right before last weekend he was walking gingerly. We didn't ride because of the holiday, and the weather, and this and that. He didn't get any better. In the last couple days he's been walking around on his knuckles (not really) and if you pick up his good foot he can't support himself with his 'off' leg.

The vet came out, punch two holes in his foot (ouch) but he immediately responded well to the second hole and is feeling better.

Now we start the regime of soaking twice a day (20 minutes each) with Epsom Salts and hot water.