Leg Fracture

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smellsofhorse

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I have suddenly found myself looking after a "friends" horse.

I had been interested in buying him when i found he was for sale, she wanted too much money and i heard he had been lame so didnt even try him.
I then got an urgent text saying she needed a field put him in untill he was sold.

I picked him up the next day and have found myself caring for him since.

I was told he had been kicked and the vet was coming a few days later to make sure all was well.

He had antibiotics at first when is didnt improve they xrayed it and found a bone fragment in the off hind.
The leg is swollen and even discharging.
The near hind looks much the same but was told this was also a kick but not broken.
He is about 3/10th lame.

He is living out.
She has been riding him.


The vet came on Monday and x rayed said the fragment was on the move so he plans to scan on Friday.
The owner was there on Monday but luckily wont be at the scan so i can get a more honest and detailed explanation.

I just want to help the horse, he was totally the wrong horse for her and deserves a great home.
She loves him and wants the best for him but really doesnt have a clue.

Luckily she did get him insured!
She still plans to sell him but ive told her it may be a while before he is fixed and he may not ever be right.

I am still considering buying him, but due to the vet bill, it wouldt be in my interest to do this.
She is also still under the illusion he is worth what she is asking and knowing i will have him she is hanging out for that!

I have years of experience with horses and all sorts off injuries.
3 off mine have at different times fractured a splint.
But all in the front legs, none had loose fragments and all made a full recovery. One even had his 6 week "box" rest in the field as he just wouldnt stay in!

Has anyone had any experience of this type of injury?
What is the prognosis
and what do i do about him!
 
Wait and see what the scan says. Even if they can get the chip of bone out with a good future prognosis, she'll still have to pay for the op before she sells him. That will put you in a better situation to barter with her if you want to take him on.
The op isn't the worry in this case, it's infection. Talk it through with the vet first.
 
If we can agree on an acceptable price i was thinking of getting her to sign him over into my care but she will still officaially own him until the treatment is sorted.

I am worried about infection too.

I have heard different stories from different people.
Apparently she was told the wound should be cleaned twice a day, she has only been to see him twice and hasnt said to me it needs doing.

I have been doing my best for him but dont want to take over too much as he isnt mine and i still dont know the full story!
 
It depends on the size of the sequesta (bone fragment). Here is a useful link from Horse and Hound Archives. http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/65425.html

My horse had a bone chip following a kick. I was told by the attending vet that he had just been bruised. The vet said to turn him out and ride him. The following day he was turned out (luckily didn't hoon about). Later that evening I rode him and he was very lame in trot, even in hand he was 1/10th lame so I knew there was an injury more severe than just a bruise so got the vet out and he scanned and xrayed and confirmed a bone chip. He was a lucky horse not to have done more damage as it could have turned castrostrophic had I continued riding/turning out. I had to paint some stuff called DMSO on the injury (once the cut had healed up) and this reduced the size of the chip and he did not need surgery as it was reabsorbed back into his body. My friends horse was kicked as a 2 year old and required surgery and had standing surgery under a local to take away the offending chip. It depends on the size/location of the chip. If it is near a joint or worse case scanario 'floating in a joint' it will require surgery.

My horse is fine despite me being very dubious when I started riding him again (I was scared stupid that it would shatter even though the vet said it would not). Some two years later competes in one day events/showjumping/dressage and does all the things he did before. The vets said the area around the chip actually becomes stronger over time.
 
I really need to get the full heads up from the vet.
Which i will do tomorrow.

But he still isnt my horse.
His owner just doesnt seem to be taking responsibility or understand that this could be serious!
 
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