Pops
Pops was rescued with several other horses in October 2025. He had been through a low end auction and ended up at the beginning of the slaughter pipeline.
Initial veterinary exam involved a general health exam, but more specific evaluation and diagnostics for his obvious lameness due to old injury and trauma.
The results were that Pops is 2/5 lame in the left front leg. There are visually noticeable changes in both carpi, mostly medially and they palpate firm/bony in nature. Left fore carpal range of motion (ROM) is diminished by 50%. Due to soreness of the left front, testing of the right front was not attempted.
X-rays showed global, significant osteoarthritic changes in the dorsomedial left fore carpus. Both front legs clearly were damaged permanently and left Pops in chronic pain.
X-ray views of the left carpus revealed severe joint remodeling and buttressing of the dorsal-medial aspect of the right carpus which suggests chronic laxity or instability that was one-sided.
The middle carpal joint is the most severely affected with medial joint articular cartilage loss and narrowing of joint space.
Sadly, Pops is another example of a very nice horse used up and broken down with no hope for a better future. Thankfully we could give him safety from a horrible fate, and a dignified, humane ending.
More About Pops
- In Assessment
- Sorel
- Mare
- 2012
- Pinto
- Colorado