Lance, 8 year old 17.3 hand Canadian Lancer (Lance, to his friends) came to us from Colonial Williamsburg, where he was part of their Rare Breeds Program, and a carriage horse for tourists. Lance sustained what was suspected to be a fractured Fibula, an injury they were not able to have treated; and so he found his way to Gentle Giants, where we promised to get him the care he needs.

Lance with Dr. Shauna Spurlock and Tech!

Due to the complicated nature of Lance's injury, and his sheer size, he had to be referred to a speciality hospital that had the technology to diagnose such a large horse. Spurlock Equine Associates  stepped up to the plate, generously offering their services at a substantial discount. Lance went to Spurlock's and had a Nuclear Bone Scan performed. While it revealed that he had no fractures, he did have a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament and a torn Medial Meniscus which has left him with permanent degenerative changes in his stifle joint (knee!). While this is not a good prognosis, we haven't given up hope for Lance yet! Dr. Spurlock injected the stifle with Cortisone, and Lance is on a 6 week stall rest to see how much he can improve.

Lance is tolerating his stall confinement very well so far. He is now the official "Barn Administrator", and he has a nicker about every single thing that happens. Lance has a stall with a greeting wall so he can socialize with another horse throughout his day. He is entertained by a variety of horses during the day, and by Micah at night. He and Micah have raucous games of halter tag, with Lance nearly always being the winner. Lance has quickly become a barn favorite.

Support is needed to cover Lance's medical expenses... which are great despite a nice discount! While we would love to dream of riding Lance one day, it is far more probable that he will live a life of luxury as a very exquisite pasture ornament!