In Part Four of this excerpt from the new book Equine ER,

a Bluegrass polo pony who was found critically injured in a field, struggles with a setback after finally leaving the clinic.

When she is released from the hospital, Selena appears fully on the mend. But during the polo pony’s rehabilitation, after it is apparent the pain is increasing in her left hind limb, she is diagnosed with laminitis and has to return to the clinic. The edema (swelling) in her left hind leg has resulted in significant inflammation and restricted blood flow to her left hind foot. The situation is serious. However, her laminitis is in a hind leg not a front, which carries more of the horse’s weight, and X-rays show her coffin bone, while rotating, is not sinking