Do you know a horse that has had part of their pedal bone removed?

F

FayeFriesian

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2011
Messages
155
Visit site
Hi,

Im really looking for any guidance as im really not happy with things.

Our mare was diagnosed with a broken pedal bone. After nearly 3 months box rest it still hadnt improved. The vet said that he'd been speaking to a specalist vet in USA and said that he will remove the splitered bone.

She had the operation 2 weeks before xmas. Ive searched the internet looking for similar stories but cannot find anything.

We were told to take her off bute, 4 weeks after the op. We did and she was lame as anything, told to put her back on it again for 10 weeks (how can you get that wrong?!!!!!) She's still lame on the bute and im really considering if its all been worth putting her through it, we were told that it has a very sucessful recovery rate and she will still have a happy hacker riding career.

The vet seems like he doesnt know what the recovery period is. He says to walk her in hand, but I really dont want to walk her with how lame she is. Surely after nearly 5 weeks there would be a slight improvement. Shes worse now then when she went in! I just feel so sorry for her :-( and im starting to think that it might be nicer to make her pain free instead of "giving it time".

Does anyone have any experience of this?

Thanks
 
So sorry to hear of your problem. It's a very unusual break. I am a little alarmed, therefore, at your vet telling you it had a good recovery rate. Many vets will jump at the chance of experimentation if the client is paying for it.

We have had two cases of a fractured pedal bone over the last 20 years but there was no splintering, both were hairline fractures. Nor was there any surgery. The horses did go back into work eventually but no hard or fast work and no jumping.

I don't believe that the prognosis for your mare is a happy one. Sorry. I wish I could say otherwise!
 
Poor you and your poor horse - it's horrible feeling as if there is nothing you can do I've been there. My big horse's pedal bone has demineralised - so disapearing - not the same thing but my point is she doesn't have the whoel bone and is back in work she has been hacked out, wee bit of schooling and also jumping if the ground is soft.

All i can say about your vet is if it was me I would get a second opinion. I spent 5 months worrying as my horse was lame and losing weight, thought i was going to lose her and the vet said they couldn't find anythign wrong, even after nerve blocks and x rays. I changed vets and after 1 set of x rays they knew the problem and she hasn't looked back.

Hope you can get her sorted soon.
 
Thankyou for your replies.

The vet was very confident, but it does make me think about the experimental side of things... I really hope this has a happy ending, she was lame about 2/10 before and had good days & bad. Some days you couldnt tell, otherdays you could. I'd never forget it if she'd have been better without going through all this :-(

Do you have any xrays of your horse's foot at all asommerville? it would be very interesting to see. Its brilliant news that your horse is back in work and I wish you well.

x
 
my young colt stood on a nail and ended up with an infected pedal bone he was crippled and ended up getting a bit of his pedal bone removed. he was on box rest for 3.5months box rest and thankfully he is now sound it was a long hard slogg and at times prognosis was poor but i am happy to say the hard work has payed of. slightly different from your horse tho hope she starts to improve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top