Walter needs sponsor!

Walter visited the vet yesterday for a potential dental float and recheck on his jaw. This 16-year-old gelding broke his jaw in July of 2022 likely through a kick in pasture. He's a hard keeper, requiring additional grain in the winter, but doing a dental exam is risky until his jaw is healed. Yesterday we took new x-rays to see the progress of his jaw and took a look into his mouth.

 

The photo shows his original break on the phone and his current x-ray behind it, and as you can see the break is pretty much completely healed! The vet would like to see another six months or so of healing and recheck, and his dental exam showed that his teeth could wait at least until this fall, so it was just a fun trip for him. We did find that his front teeth are very worn down, which likely contributes to his difficulties keeping weight on, so he'll do well continuing to be supplemented with extra feed.

At his age, and with his jaw and tooth issues, we are seriously considering keeping him as an up and coming Bug Club horse, though we would consider an experienced home who will be respectful of his jaw. He should be trained to go bitless and also any vet doing a dental should be made aware of his previous fracture before using a speculum in his mouth.

 

If he stays, he would love a monthly sponsor to help cover his care and someone to come visit him regularly. Contact us if interested in being Walter's sponsor!