Broken Tail Bone ?

[Law]

Evening all

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of a broken tail bone? Friend's foal appears to have broken hers as the tip of it is at right angle (perhaps mum stood on it?)

She's called the vet out but been waiting a while so has asked me to google it for her. Wondering whether there is any treatment? Would it be like a dislocation ? Is there nothing that can be done?
Any experiences would be good to hear about.

 

[sueandtoto]

When we had Toto vetted he said that his tail has been broken in the past , so when you lift it ( although he is really anxious about it being touched) it bends to one side , he has obviously been miss-treated in the past as he has many issues ( whips , being clipped etc) but it doesn't bother him , it doesn't swish correctly in trot (we were once told !!) but he's won many showing classes so I dont think its that obvious!!, hope your friends foal is ok x

 

[Law]

Thanks for that.
She has heard from the vet now and they have said she can try and straighten it out herself or take her to the clinic tomorrow

 

[hellybelly6]

Straighten the tail herself with out anaesthetic or medical training or having seen the injury? That is mad, nerves and blood vessels could be accidentally trapped in the process.

 

[Law]

I did wonder that as well! I'm pretty certain that she is going to take her in tomorrow morning and have them see it and do it themselves.
It's right at the end of the tail so I don't think there are anything there other than small rods of bone. (According to my phsiology texts from Uni)
I'm only going on second hand info so I may have it wrong

 

[MaverickMD]

My boy had a broken tail - he did it as a foal. He was being treated for another injury - on antibiotics - and it wasnt until they noticed that he wouldnt let anyone go behind him that they discovered the problem - by that time it was too late. The vet ran his hand down the tail and half of the bone came away in his hand - the skin had alreadh healed round the broken end of bone !!!!

I was horrifed when I was told this story when we bought him (years later) that no one had noticed his problem - I was disgusted.

He now has a very short dock - and subsequently short tail hair as there is not enough dock for the hair to grow on to make a long tail. Therefore, in the summer he cant swipe himself from the flies and gets quite pestered by them. When we have woven a tail in for him - he hits the roof as he is not used to anything touching his hocks in this manner.

He carries his tail like an arab when he is excited and it looks like a pompom - bless him.

When people see him - they think he is a youngster (esp as he acts this way as well) ...... He is 17 years old now.

His lack of tail does not affect his balance, but it means he cant be shown and we get some "funny looks" off judges etc and people thinking we are riding a "foal" !!!

But I cant help but think that if the breeders had bluddy noticed there was something wrong - he would have the most lovely liver chestnut tail now.

So ..... if I were you, no matter how trivial it seems - get a qualified, interested, and sympathetic vet to look at it asap so your ponio does not end up like my boy!

All the best

MaverickMD

 

[wambles]

my old horse i believe has had a broken tail bone as it has a wonnk and a lump on it, its perfectly fine and theres nout you can do to it