I think the unrealistic lady vet will try it on with Alistair. If she was that highly qualified she would aim for a vet hospital , not a one man band with limited operating theatre and other equipment, MRI scanners etc.
It would be a great deal cheaper for the ancient Grundy's pony to have some Bute (anti-inflammatory) than the expensive procedure that she was suggesting (as the owner of a self-harming horse I have too much information about vet hospitals)