Toast
Well-Known Member
Im not sure what vets do for broken legs these days. By Broken im talking possible hairline fracture... and thoughts?
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How well do horses recover from broken legs?
- Thread starter Toast
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sea_view
Well-Known Member
Risk broke his fetlock bone and was operated on at Glasgow Vet School, he was pinned and plated and is making a fabulous recovery, they think he will be stronger than ever once full recovery takes place
honeymum
Well-Known Member
We had a 13.2 mare kicked in the field a few years ago, who had a hairline fracture of the hock. She was box rested, cold-hosed tc and slowly brought back into work.
We sold her last year but she was quite happily hacking out and jumping 1'6" (which is the highest she was happy to do before the accident) quite happily and still is.
I suppose the treatment would depend on the type of break and the type of pony, Ruby was always a very laid back girly anyway.
We sold her last year but she was quite happily hacking out and jumping 1'6" (which is the highest she was happy to do before the accident) quite happily and still is.
I suppose the treatment would depend on the type of break and the type of pony, Ruby was always a very laid back girly anyway.
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Im not sure what vets do for broken legs these days. By Broken im talking possible hairline fracture... and thoughts?
x
[/ QUOTE ]
Possible hairline fractures are normally treated by box rest with the horse cross-tied to stop it lying down. If x-ray confirms, and there is NO displacement, continue box rest for 6-8 weeks - then walk in hand for a further 6-8 weeks, X-ray again to check healing.
Im not sure what vets do for broken legs these days. By Broken im talking possible hairline fracture... and thoughts?
x
[/ QUOTE ]
Possible hairline fractures are normally treated by box rest with the horse cross-tied to stop it lying down. If x-ray confirms, and there is NO displacement, continue box rest for 6-8 weeks - then walk in hand for a further 6-8 weeks, X-ray again to check healing.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
IF the fracture heals properly and the contributary causes are not ongoing (say, a hoof imbalance) then the bone should return to full use. I think you might be surprised by how many race horses recover from/leave training with fractures and return to full, sound use.
Care, time and monitoring are essential. Especially time.
Care, time and monitoring are essential. Especially time.
kerilli
Well-Known Member
hairline fractures heal really well, in fact i was told by a surgeon (operating on me) that bone heals brilliantly, back to full strength, unlike tendon, ligament, etc.
iirc Bruce Davidson had a mare years ago who had had a full spiral hairline fracture of a frontleg, it was diagnosed in time, she was rested, it healed completely, and she went round a number of 4*s with no problems.
the problem, i've been told, is that usually the horse is lame, rested a bit, improves, no x-rays done so hairline fracture isn't diagnosed in time, work stepped up again because horse sound again, and then leg breaks.
IF it is diagnosed in time, and the horse rested for long enough to give the bone time to heal fully (over a year iirc, but i'm no vet), really really good prognosis.
fingers crossed for your horse.
iirc Bruce Davidson had a mare years ago who had had a full spiral hairline fracture of a frontleg, it was diagnosed in time, she was rested, it healed completely, and she went round a number of 4*s with no problems.
the problem, i've been told, is that usually the horse is lame, rested a bit, improves, no x-rays done so hairline fracture isn't diagnosed in time, work stepped up again because horse sound again, and then leg breaks.
IF it is diagnosed in time, and the horse rested for long enough to give the bone time to heal fully (over a year iirc, but i'm no vet), really really good prognosis.
fingers crossed for your horse.
glenruby
Well-Known Member
A hairline fx often doesnt appear on x ray initially so it can only be guessed to be present usually- following nerve blocks to isolate the bone. Follow up xrays 7-10days later will show new bone growth. Usual sites are the tibia and cannon bones - so nerve blocks to these regions without xray changes(and often associated with swelling/inflammation if in the cannon area) usually hint at these sort of fxs.
Box rest, pain relief and rest for ~6mths+ (depending on the individual case) is the usual course of action. Shockwave is often used for hairline fxs of the canon bones in racehorses in the USA - though not commonly used for that purpose over here.
Horses can recover fully and lead a normal life in many circumstances after hairline fxs.
Box rest, pain relief and rest for ~6mths+ (depending on the individual case) is the usual course of action. Shockwave is often used for hairline fxs of the canon bones in racehorses in the USA - though not commonly used for that purpose over here.
Horses can recover fully and lead a normal life in many circumstances after hairline fxs.
Happy Horse
Well-Known Member
My horse recovered from a spiral fracture of the radius. Long spell of cross tied box rest with around a month in the vets with a Robert Jones and lateral support splint (luckily I was working at the vets at the time!) The fracture recovered fine but the long period of enforced inactivity caused problems in the future with underlying articular ringbone when he came back into work.