Koda - Inspection

It was a superb, radiant day, with a light breeze carrying an uplifting birdsong and barely a cloud in the sky. Kass was quietly petting Koda’s neck and shoulder as they awaited their turn with the veterinarian for his inspection exam.The tall bay pony at her side was sighing softly every so often, his head low as if so relaxed he might go to sleep. There were not many people around - in fact, they were alone in front of the barn as they waited. Due to a scheduling mistake on the organisator's part, they had had to complete the judging part of the process before the complimentary veterinary exam, which was slightly unusual. 

Kass had presented the dark stallion in-hand to a panel of three judges at the walk and trot. Then Koda had been unleashed and cantered through a jump chute at liberty. Koda had been superbly obedient, following his owner’s lead easily and looking handsome doing it. His long tail and feathering gave him such a dreamy look - especially at the trot and when jumping - like the ponies every little girl wishes for. To Kass’ eyes anyway - even though she had gone through the process many times, the young trainer thought it was always a little nerve wracking to go through as the judges were usually silent while critically appraising the inspectee.

Still, the redhead was rather proud of her home bred and raised pony. It felt like she had only just gone through this same process with Koda’s parents - her own Pumpkin Spice and Fairy. While the seal bay stallion did not really physically resemble either of them - except perhaps a younger Fairy before she had greyed out - he had definitely inherited their good nature and conformation. They were only just beginning Koda’s undersaddle training together, but Kass was confident that with his solid groundwork foundation and even-keeled mind, the process would go smoothly.

Her thoughts snapped back to the present when a petite blonde woman walked up to them. Next to her, Koda's eyes opened a little as he watched the young woman approach curiously.

‘’Hi, sorry for the wait! I’m Dr White’s assistant. He’s ready to see you, right this way.’’

She guided them inside, where there was an exam area set up. A tall man wearing a set of dark blue scrubs and a stethoscope around his neck approached them with a smile.

‘’Good morning, I’m Dr White,’’ he said, offering his hand in greeting.

‘’Kasandra Peregrine,’’ the young trainer replied as she shook his hand.

‘’Pleasure. I’ll be doing the vet exam for your pony’s inspection papers. Could you please confirm who we have here?’’ the doctor asked, gesturing to the bay pony at Kass’ side.

‘’This is Koda, registered as On My Way at the Teddy Cobs Association,’’ Kass replied, stroking her hand calmly over her horse’s neck. 

Dr White scribbled on his notepad before setting it on a small hand table. This was not Kass' first rodeo; she held her pony steadily as the veterinarian began Koda’s whole body exam - from nose to tail. He started by checking the stallion’s ears, nostrils and front teeth before reaching for a slit lamp sitting on the hand table. Shining the light into the horse’s eyes, he checked for cataracts and other anomalies. He noted his observations on the notepad, putting down the slit lamp and trading it for a little flashlight. Returning his attention to his patient, the vet opened the pony’s mouth by holding his tongue to the side with a hand, shining the light inside so he could have a look at the oral cavity and molars.

Putting the stethoscope’s tips into his ears, Dr White listened to Koda’s lungs and heart, announcing his respiratory and cardiac rates aloud so his assistant could report it on the pony’s sheet. The veterinarian then proceeded to check the roan pony’s coat and skin, running his hands over his body and parting hair in places to look for any sign of ectoparasites. He also palpated lymph nodes as he went, making sure none were abnormally enlarged. While Dr White was doing his thing, his assistant had prepared a thermometer with lubricant and had walked up to Koda, positioning herself near the stallion’s croup.
‘’I’m about to take his temp,’’ she told Kass. ‘’Do you know if he usually reacts to this?’’

‘’He’s never given me trouble at home,’’ the redhead replied, truthfully. 

‘’Good! We’ll still be careful, just in case.’’

As Kass had anticipated, Koda barely reacted to the thermometer - only flipping one ear halfway back. With his cooperation, the ordeal was over in no time, with the vet assistant moving away to report the result on the sheet.

Meanwhile, seemingly satisfied with his investigations on Koda’s body, Dr White moved on to his legs. He went down each leg, one after the other, looking for lumps and bumps. The articulations were checked thoroughly for swelling, heat or any other sign of inflammation. After examining each one, he would pick up the foot to make sure there was no sign of thrush or abscesses. With pincers, he pressed across the sole at different points, looking for any weakness in the horn.

Once the physical portion of the process was over and done without any major hitch, it was time for the soundness exam. The veterinarian led the duo through the barn and out on a gravel path before entering a round pen. Koda was lunged at the walk, trot and canter on both sides for a few minutes under the attentive gaze of Dr White, alert for signs of lameness. After that, he had them walk, then trot up and down the path outside of the pen so he could appraise the pony’s movement symmetry and correctness better from his front and back.

‘’Koda seems well built and healthy, I don’t see anything today that would make me question his approval for breeding. Congratulations, you’ve got a stunning stallion there,’’ the veterinarian told Kass with a smile as she walked back up to him one final time. 

‘’You should receive his certificate in the mail within a couple of weeks.’’

Beaming, the young trainer stroked her pony’s neck affectionately. She could not wait to see the foals he would father in a few years!