That Horse Force

It was a rough summer. Flora's injury did not respond to stem cell therapy. After four months of stall rest, IRAP, and stem cell injections, there was zero progress in her lameness. At her check up at the end of July, her lameness was still rated a 4 out of 5 and UGA recommended euthanasia. They were confident inflammation was not causing the pain & lameness but that is was discomfort from the cartilage loss itself and deep bone bruising in the coffin bone.  The lack of progress indicated to them that the injury was too significant to overcome and she would need need pain management for the rest of her life. They also did not believe a life as a broodmare would be a viable option because the extra weight would put increase stress on her hoof. This was consistent with all of the vet consults Waylon and I did when we got the original diagnosis. No one we talked to was optimistic about the outcome.  Through the process, I've learned a lot about cartilage. Unlike tissue or bon...