Today I had X/rays made of Luka´s hoofs. Her front hoofs proved to be affected by laminitis, specially the right one. The vet advised hoof irons and besides that hoofboots. I don´t like the irons, because it is difficult to find someone to apply them when I am travelling through Europe. Besides the vet doubted very much if Luka could make a long trip through Europe. In the meantime Luka trots and gallops easily, when the soil is soft it doesn´t seem a problem either. When I get back from vacation in 5 weeks I will start trainingLuka again. Also I´ll start riding her to see if she starts limping or not. The laminitis is an enormous disadvantage. On the other had, if I have a horse with more blood, the lack of good treatment because of the long trip and the lack of good food may cause problems too and might slow down the pace of the horse. Thus a `good` horse may prove to be not as `good`. But after my vacation I have only 2 months left to find another horse, judge it, train it. Besides this horse Luka was born in the wild, is used to all kinds of wheather, has an active character and wants to walk. And I got it as a foal. I´m attached to Luka, even though he is not easy, bites once in a while and still is not quite acquainted to dog Joep. If I have to leave him home, he might get laminitis again. And who wants to look after a stallion for a year. After getting back from my trip through Europe I could use him to make little rides and to make him mate with a konik mare. Well, still a few months left to think and to try out. We´ll see. In oct. I must be ready to leave.
Harrie Huijben pony en hond
