One positive aspect is that he willingly bears weight on the right front. To me that is encouraging that it will eventually heal. In the meantime, you are learning a lot about handling a horse on the ground which is just as important as how to ride.

Hi have you had him tested for EPM , I have been watching homestead horse man , Oliver had it he is all better now as it was caught in time , the family that rescued Oliver are armazing . Black Jake is gorgeous. Ty for caring for him .

Black Jack is very shiny! I'm so glad your new vet addressed that he does have a stifle issue. I had a wonderful mare slip in the mud and tore the cartilage in her stifle and was told she would always be lame. After a year+ of careful treatment she healed and never had issues with her stifle. Sounds like your dealing with healing time! Which can take along time but certainly will be worth the wait. Glad to here the vet recommends turn out, when horses are used to a certain every day routine and that stops it can be very hard on them. I do love his large stall that has to make him comfortable being a big horse. Hang in there your slowly make some progress. Really enjoy you sharing your story about you and Black Jack! God bless....😊

So glad that this vet did a thorough exam of Jack. Sounds like a good plan and a relief for you! Well done on getting lessons, will be good for you and eventually for Jack 😊

I am glad the vet said no stall rest. I previously mentioned that would be a very extreme measure for any horse, they are not meant to be kept in a stall. When you do something against an animal’s nature there is a price to pay. He should be out as much as possible. The grass I see in your video is sparse, not like he is on lush pasture.

So happy for the good news! You have been such a trooper through this whole journey…. I’m thrilled you’re proceeding with lessons as BlackmJack recovers. You have quickly become a seasoned horse person ♥♥♥♥♥

Oh it’s a bumpy road with horses lol but good news his stifle issue is not a major red flag problem. You’re learning so much (but probably not in the way you expected) and any horse care knowledge acquired will give you more tools for the future. My fellow was telling me something (again) this morning being grumpy and nippy. THIS time I knew to look for what was bothering him, besides the ongoing tooth saga, and he was sore in his right hind stifle. See knowledge gained….. look for the reason behind the behavioural change. Good luck going forward, Black Jack is so lucky to have a considerate Mum, the bond you’re building is priceless ❤

It’s really rough when they have two different injuries on two different limbs that require two different types of treatment. I feel for you. Suspensory injuries can take months to heal, so I think you’re doing the right thing to turn him out again because as long as he doesn’t go bucking or carousing around , the suspensory injury, should not be affected too much. Crossing my fingers for you. I have a friend who has a friend who’s in your age group and is thinking of getting her first horse. I forwarded this to my friend, and she said she’ll forward it on. You have something important to say here, and it really could help someone else who is thinking of buying their first horse.

Bless your good heart. You deserve a sound, well trained, easy rider to fulfil your dream of horse ownership. I know you will make the right decision for BJ and yourself once time goes by.

I'm so happy the vet wasn't super concerned about any neurological issues! That's great news. You should definitely see a big attitude improvement now that he's allowed back outside too. When they are having joint issues, keeping them moving some helps.

good news! sounds like you have a great plan! Also, wonderful you can take lessons there so you can keep up with your riding so you're ready when Black Jack's all better!

I`m sorry to keep going back to the pads he was wearing when you first had him but there must have been a reason he was wearing them and it seem s to me that the cushioning effect of them made him cope better and look sound. If he is prone to injury, perhaps when he is fit again, it might be appropriate to put him back in such shoes again.

So glad things are progressing! Let us know how your riding lessons go! ❣

I just wanted to suggest a grazing muzzle for him. He can then get out of his stall daily. Grass later in the summer is drier and contains less sugar. Barn owner should cooperate with you on this. Glad you had a good vet exam. I personally keep my horses in individual run-ins and dry lot pens and only on grass a total of 4 hours a day. I never lock them in stalls.

I’m glad ur not using the old vet. I would not use any people u used at the old barn, no farrier no vet no trainer. My horse gets very upset when stuck in the barn for any reason. My horse has legit had a tantrum in his stall on more than one occasion due to being stuck in it and he’s an absolute doll Some horses do not like it. My horse is technically lame but I’m supposed to keep him in light work atm. So when they are lame it is sometimes okay to keep doing light work. I go by whatever the vet says, I’ve had different versions do and say totally different things (honestly same with doctors for people and vets for cats and dogs) I really like that that vet didn’t inject that bit yet and wants to wait. Some vets are super injection happy and just do that and don’t actually figure out the problem. I’m at a bark where the vet comes for loads do other horses so sometimes I’ve seen her just 2 or 3 weeks apart which I really like and she’s been out same time as farrier so they can chat about what to do for his feet. Ya need the vet and farrier to be a team as you can solve some foot issues with farrier work. Your issues sound more soft tissue above the feet I know nothing about that my experience has been with bad feet 😂 if you can’t ride him for a bit or don’t want to, look up “liberty” work with horses you can teach him tricks or even teach him to “side up” at the mounting block, ya don’t have to ride to do any of that and it helps build your bond. I pay someone to ride my horse once a week. I now trust very few trainers on my horse I am super picky. I don’t want my horses sweetness ruined I’ve had trainers do things I don’t like and I have trainers I adore. So at this stage I want someone to ride him once a week to avoid me giving the horse bad habits as I am learning. My goal is to one day not need to be so reliant on a trainer and I am happy to pay them to help me now so I learn and making my horse even better then he already is. Horse if riding from a good trainer build a good horse. I like even when they trail ride him. It’s all teaching him good habits.

Sounds like you have room to breathe right now. So glad.

This horse is depressed and needs to have a friend and not be in a stall all day

I'm so glad you finally have good news about Blackjack! You two have been through so much. He's lucky to have someone so dedicated to his welfare and open to input from knowledgeable others as you're getting here. Not being able to ride does have an upside. You're bonding in ways that you wouldn't if all you did was ride. He knows you're trying to help him get better. I had trouble with the look l saw in his eye those first few videos. He looked sad and remote; in pain. More recent videos show a more chipper, warmer, look in his eye.

My horse had stifle lock for a little while as a young horse. His whole leg would get locked, it was alarming looking. He got past it without any special intervention other than exercise, and it didn't return.

My horse has an old soft tissue injury from his racing career. I have him in pads and shoes and it helped a lot! Also, I found that Back On Track wraps alleviate pain and swelling , and the products help heal tissue. Look them up. Good luck and 11:19 he is one lucky boy to have you!

Glad to hear some good news about Black Jack!! I agree, you have to take the word of the people you are with not from afar, so no worries!!... My OTTB has a stifle issue from his racing career which it would lock all the way & he would drag his left hind or come out of his stall lifting his leg like a dog peeing on fire hydrant & I found that lots of movement helped that. Also, I found that my guy was sensitive to that area for grooming. Black Jack might be different... I thought you were going to tell us that BJ behaved for your friend (horses do that lol) but when you said no I chuckled. My guy gets attitude in winter when he can't get turned out for ice, etc lol BJ normal there lol... So glad you got good news on BJ!! So glad you are going to ride in lessons even if not on BJ, you deserve it!! Keep following your gut!! You got this!!

I’m so excited about your new training session! I want to hear all about it !!! I’m so happy your riding again !! As far as BJ is concerned it sounds positive moving forward and looks like he needs to know who’s is boss here ! Thanks for the update and please let us know about your new session ! ❤️💯🐴👍🙏

U r a sweet heart 😘 had a terrible thing happen to me almost the same thing as you I to a long walk scee job like that s not fair it's painful not to o mention expense as hell.

I wish I knew you , my friend has a beautiful paint mare for sale and im trying to help find her a great home. She's 7 years old and not a mean bone in her body. And she's very sound, utd on everything and Coggins negative 🙄 YOU would of been the perfect owner for CC, She loves to learn and work. You take such great care of black jack , you would of been a great owner for her. If you know anyone looking for a beautiful sound horse, let me know please 😊😊😊

Girl...there is so much to learn about horses. I wonder if you could do a partial lease on a horse there at the barn while he's recovering? Fantastic that you can take lessons and keep your skills improving in the meantime. Keep reading about everything. Stifle problems are not a big deal unless it's severe. Usually the more you ride them, the better it gets. No worries. I'd be more concerned with the right front. Have it x-rayed and make sure that there's no navicular, or any other problem thats chronic. These things happen to us all. My horse (21 yr old Appy) has had three abscesses in the past 6 months. He gets better from that and got kicked in the field. So lameness...ugh. Now he is better, my husbands horse is lame. Yes horses that are used to being out allot, do get grumpy & bossy. At least he isn't climbing the walls! ( yes, some lose their minds) So good luck. Its a journey...

So there is a horse Chiropractor and so they might be able to help release some of his discomfort

Watching him graze, his back legs don’t look quite right, the way he positions them, moves them, and carries his weight on them. I’m no expert though!

Given his size and conformation, I wonder if he could have been a bucking horse?

Maybe I'm wrong, but what I'm hearing is that Black Jack is out of shape (with resulting leg problems), and your confidence level is understandably affected by all that has happened and by all the unknowns before you. If it were me I think that once I got the vet's OK on his foot and stifle, I'd go on fairly long walks with him on lead, on those trails you would like to use. It's a good way to bond with him without a thought to performance, it would be a first step in getting his muscles (and mine) working in sustained exercise, and as a bonus I'd think it might reveal just how "spookable" he might be (and of course, just doing the walks would be working on that) If it were me, this would definitely help boost my frazzled confidence. But I'm not you, and it has to be right for you. I'm no expert trainer either LOL Just an idea I have based on your story with him. Hope I haven't overstepped. I guess my next steps would be to increase his fitness by adding lunging sessions at a trot, and then mounted trotting in an arena or similar. I'd have to consult a proper trainer or horse physio first...these are just ideas. I'm not a kid either, and if I could have a horse now I'd want him to be my best buddy that I feel confident around 🙂

Unless this is a joke, you got scammed!

Does blackjack have a dent at the hip on the side he trips on? The right side will be different than the left. At the point of hip

He probably should be retired , you are unable to ride him and that’s why you bought him , he would be happy with a herd to play around with , he’s depressed

Sweetheart,, I think you're afraid of that horse. You're gonna spend every dime you have and never get to enjoy the animal. I think you should consider selling or retiring Black Jack and get something you're more comfortable with.