Somebody doesn't like jabs!

Poor ol' Max! He had his post-op vet check today, and he has developed a new aversion to getting jabs in his neck. Never used to bother him, but when he saw our kind vet approach him with a syringe in hand this morning, he gave me the "Please no. Not again! Don't let him do it!"

Breaks your heart, that stuff.

Mentioned Max's reaction to the vet and he was sympathetic. "You've had a gutful of jabs in the past couple of weeks, haven't you , mate?"

But in it went. Vet needed to have a proper look, and best way was with Max mildly sedated, because he was not agreeable to the rummaging in his nethers otherwise.

Awful, really, because I guess the needle just went in a bit awkwardly, and Max started bleeding. I hate to see that. He wasn't that bothered, but a little trickle of blood running down his neck, and vet joking "Ooops! He's hemorrhaging!" while I took a big gulp and tried not to cry.

Nothing that dramatic, really, but a little lump developed at the site, which had disappeared by this afternoon.

Then the lolling head, the deep breaths and... Ta Da! A mini drop! We expect geldings to drop their gear when sedated, but Max, still, can only drop the very tippy tip. Still, miles better than he's been able to do up until now, so that's good enough for me.

Vet commented that Max is "a little on the small side", but the tip is all some geldings ever do, and it's enough. Also said that although everything is healing and looking good on the outside (removed a couple of wiry stitches that were still hanging on), inside Max's sheath is still a bit tight because of swelling and scar tissue, so we may yet see some improvement.

Whether we do or not, I'm very pleased with how things have gone, and vet said he's delighted, too. No more pooling of urine inside which eliminates a whole world of trouble in the future.

Clean bill of health. Carry on as normal, riding is fine, letting him have a roll in the school is fine, long-lining is fine.

Asked about sheath cleaning and was advised to keep an eye, but try just once a week for now, keep him slathered up with fly repellent and leave him to it, no fuss. After a while, by my own judgment, I may determine that even once a week isn't necessary. Suggested I use proper sheath cleaner (as natural as I can find it) rather than boiled water allowed to cool, because I need to cut through the grease and get rid, which water won't do. I also don't need salt because antiseptics should no longer be required for him.

Today we didn't do anything. Ent away at football today, and I didn't really want to work Max after sedation anyway.

But from tomorrow, Max's fitness regime begins afresh. He hasn't blown up and developed a big ol' grass belly during his recovery, and I want to keep it that way. In these dangerous laminitis prone days of Spring, it's important to make sure that Max is burning as many calories as he's eating.

Poor bug. Hopefully that's the end of any intervention for him for a while, and we can just get on with things now. He's going to be a much more comfy boy this summer, and though he may not thank me for it, I am delighted that we took a risk and made Max's world a safer, more comfortable place as a result.