[BONUS PROMPT - CHECKUP]

Vet Appointment 📅

Yesterday, our vet stopped by to get a closer look at our newest arrival on the farm. Our yet-to-be-named boy behaved extraordinarily well — quite the surprise, given how nervous he usually is around movement or anything flapping about. To make him feel safe, we kept the checkup in his stall and tried to keep everything as quiet and still as possible.

Thankfully, our vet is already very familiar with our more sensitive horses and quickly figured out how to handle this new fella. He was, as always, very mouthy — constantly trying to nibble on her gear — so we gave him some treats to keep him occupied during the exam. Overall, the checkup went better than expected, and we were relieved to find that most things are looking good. Here's the full report:

Basic Information

• Breed/Sex: Loshenka Stallion
  → He’s a sturdy, elegant type with lots of presence.
• Age: 7 years (confirmed by paperwork)
  → Still young and with lots of potential for training.
• Markings: Black Rabicano Harlequin with brown eyes
  → His coat is truly stunning in the sunlight — very striking.
• Records: Vet notes and our own observations have been recorded
  → Helps with keeping future checkups and updates clear and organized.

Physical Examination

• Body Condition Score (BCS): 6.5/9
  → Slightly overweight. Not a major issue, but we’ll need to work on balancing that out with exercise.
• Muscle Tone: A little underdeveloped
  → Likely from too much time inside and not enough movement. We’ll work on this with gentle exercise.
• Vital Signs (all within normal range):

Temperature: 37.8°C (Normal: 37.2–38.3°C)

Heart Rate: 38 bpm (Normal: 28–44 bpm)

Respiratory Rate: 12 breaths/min (Normal: 10–24 breaths/min)
→ Everything looks good — he’s stable and not stressed.

• Coat Condition: Shiny and healthy
  → No dull patches or signs of poor nutrition.
• Eyes, Nose, Skin, and Hooves: All in good shape
  → Eyes clear, nose clean, skin healthy, hooves in nice condition with no signs of thrush or cracking.
• Temperament During Exam: Calm and cooperative
  → Except for his dislike of anything moving quickly. He handled the exam surprisingly well, all things considered.
• Oral Exam:

Showed resistance at first but allowed inspection with treats and patience

Some minor abrasions on the lips, possibly from rubbing

Gums slightly inflamed

Teeth are intact but show signs of excessive wear due to chewing/nibbling
→ This is something we’ll need to stay on top of before it turns into a bigger issue.

Procedures Performed

• Vaccinations: Annual core vaccines administered
  → Covered tetanus, influenza, and West Nile (standard protocol)
• Dental Cleaning: Completed
  → Helped with mild gum inflammation and cleaned up plaque buildup.
• Medication: Small dose of anti-inflammatory given
  → For the gum irritation — he responded well to it.

Plan & Recommendations

1. Mouthy Behavior Management
   → We’ll work on redirecting his nibbling to safer options and limit access to chewable objects. If we don’t get this under control, he risks damaging his gums and teeth further.
2. Physical Fitness & Weight Control
   → Begin slow, supervised treadmill sessions to help burn off excess weight and build muscle. Outdoor training will come later once he’s more confident with motion and less likely to spook.
3. Exposure Training
   → Continue gradual desensitization with flapping flags, tarps, or plastic bags. Start small and reward calm behavior. This will help him become a more bomb-proof, reliable horse in the long run.
4. Follow-Up & Monitoring
   → Keep in touch with the vet regarding his gums and dental health. We may need another dental exam in a few weeks if things don’t improve.

Final Notes

He’s officially cleared for light training and desensitization exercises. We’re feeling hopeful — he’s smart, sweet, and with the right handling, he’ll become a trustworthy and confident companion. With some patience and the right plan, he’s going to shine.