Oh Alfie, getting older really isn’t easy. A couple months ago, Alfie developed a severe lameness that came out of nowhere. After an extensive vet visit and a bunch of X-rays later, Alfie was diagnosed with navicular.
Navicular is a degenerative condition that can cause lameness in the front legs. It’s very common in quarter horses, which is what Alfie is. Many years ago, having a horse with navicular was a death sentence as there weren’t many treatment options. Thankfully, that’s not the case now. With some corrective shoes and a new pain medication, Alfie is completely sound and feeling good.
In fact, he’s moving so well that we recently started taking lessons again – not riding lessons, but in hand lessons. Our in hand lessons consist of an obstacle course set up in our arena where he walks over poles and we can do some light jogging in straight lines. We’ve had 3 lessons so far, and Alfie’s muscle definition is coming back.
Retirement life for Alfie wasn’t something he adjusted well to. Since he’s been retired, he’s had to deal with his arthritis progressing as well as various hoof issues, and now navicular. But through all of this, he never lost his desire to work. Now that he’s feeling good, and 🤞🏻he stays this way, we can enjoy our weekly lessons, just like old times.
Below are pictures from our lesson, doesn’t he look good for being a horse in his mid 30s?❤️🐴
Confessions of an Equestrianoholic 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1F17ZzefFTKQpoYv9
That little fella looks awfully familiar.
Keep up the good work.
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