Post by SigOUrNeY on Dec 20, 2007 16:58:25 GMT -5
The bay colt was heaving, and his body began to feel numb as he galloped around the track. Chris could feel his mount slowing, and quickly sensed something was wrong. The jockey didn’t think twice about pulling up Criminal Warning, and the three year old began to stumble as he slowed up the pace. Chris hopped off the colt when they reached the outside rail, and immediately went to Remi’s head. The thoroughbred was heaving uncontrollably, and blood seeped from his nostrils. His legs shook with the effort of standing, and he let his head fall onto Chris’ comforting shoulder.Mr. Duce had Thee Warning at the scene in a minute, and hopped off to join Chris at Remi’s head. Tee stood patiently as both men tended to her son, and watched curiously as the track vet arrived at the scene.
***
”Your horse has a bad case of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: EIPH,” The vet stated to Mr. Duce later on in the evening. Remi had recovered from his heaving fairly quickly, and acted as if nothing had happened as he stood happily in his stall, munching away at dinner. Mr. Duce was leaning against the colt’s stall door and keeping an eye on him while he listened to the vet’s diagnosis. He nodded for the vet to continue.
”EIPH is a lung bleeding disease that impairs lung function. When he’s working, Remi has lower blood oxygen levels, which makes him weaker. I’m guessing his condition worsened throughout his career, which is why he’s showing more serious symptoms now,” The doc talked very matter-of-factly and so far had been very official. Remi, however, had broken through that stage, and had brought a smile on the vet's face from the first playful bump of his nose. The vet was now sneaking his hand through the grilled bars of the upper part of the stall door, and stroking the nose of the charismatic colt.
Mr. Duce had his chin resting on his balled fist, and was deep in thought. ”So what you’re saying is that he’s been deteriorating?”
The vet nodded. ”In a way, yes. If he keeps up this heavy training schedule, he could put himself in real danger.” The doctor paused, and it was obvious to see he was trying hard not to get attached to the lanky thoroughbred. He wasn’t succeeding very well, which was why when he said the next sentence, he spoke it with meaning and with as much persuasion as he could. ”I strongly suggest that you don’t put him in that kind of danger anymore.”
”You mean, stop racing him?”
The vet nodded.
Mr. Duce closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them, he saw Remi looking back at him with liquid brown orbs. The colt whickered genuinely, and Mr. Duce couldn’t help but break out in a smile. The doc was right. Remi was far too special a horse to lose. Furthermore, nobody could handle it, especially after War Flag.
”Alright. From now on, Criminal Warning won’t ever race again.”
***
”Your horse has a bad case of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: EIPH,” The vet stated to Mr. Duce later on in the evening. Remi had recovered from his heaving fairly quickly, and acted as if nothing had happened as he stood happily in his stall, munching away at dinner. Mr. Duce was leaning against the colt’s stall door and keeping an eye on him while he listened to the vet’s diagnosis. He nodded for the vet to continue.
”EIPH is a lung bleeding disease that impairs lung function. When he’s working, Remi has lower blood oxygen levels, which makes him weaker. I’m guessing his condition worsened throughout his career, which is why he’s showing more serious symptoms now,” The doc talked very matter-of-factly and so far had been very official. Remi, however, had broken through that stage, and had brought a smile on the vet's face from the first playful bump of his nose. The vet was now sneaking his hand through the grilled bars of the upper part of the stall door, and stroking the nose of the charismatic colt.
Mr. Duce had his chin resting on his balled fist, and was deep in thought. ”So what you’re saying is that he’s been deteriorating?”
The vet nodded. ”In a way, yes. If he keeps up this heavy training schedule, he could put himself in real danger.” The doctor paused, and it was obvious to see he was trying hard not to get attached to the lanky thoroughbred. He wasn’t succeeding very well, which was why when he said the next sentence, he spoke it with meaning and with as much persuasion as he could. ”I strongly suggest that you don’t put him in that kind of danger anymore.”
”You mean, stop racing him?”
The vet nodded.
Mr. Duce closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them, he saw Remi looking back at him with liquid brown orbs. The colt whickered genuinely, and Mr. Duce couldn’t help but break out in a smile. The doc was right. Remi was far too special a horse to lose. Furthermore, nobody could handle it, especially after War Flag.
”Alright. From now on, Criminal Warning won’t ever race again.”