Murphy my para horse is broken

Laafet

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adventuresinblackandwhite.co.uk
Got a phone call from the RDA centre that look after Murphy for his para rider saying that he broke down badly during schooling yesterday.
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He had what I took to be the start of arthritis in his hock and we had started to treat it with joint supplement and loosening work. I never realised that he could be as bad as what happened. The vet scanned and x-rayed him and he has a loose bone fragment and a lot of arthritic changes within the hock. At the moment he is sedated and buted up to the eyeballs, tomorrow the surgeon at the RVC will have a look and decide on a prognosis. But I have been warned that it might be the worst, even if he pulls through he may never be sound again.
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I am so gutted, he has never been lame in the 9 years that I've had him, he was just about to start competing at Medium level with his trainer and had lots of competitions to do with his para rider.
I guess I cannot dwell too much until I hear tomorrow but have been so upset all day. Big hugs please
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He's 14 in June. He wasn't broken in until he was five and has done everything with me from dressage to sidesaddle to hunting and endurance. He's never taken a lame step in his life and has done comparatively low mileage. I understand that dressage is stressful on the hocks, as showjumping can be to the fetlocks. Just so upset, I've always been careful about booting or bandageing him up and not galloping or jumping on hard or rough ground.
His last big outing was the BD area festival at Patchetts and he loved it. I'm not sure how he will take retirement if thats what it comes to as he gets so excited when the lorries or trailers come onto the yard before a competition.... just trying not to think too much after the what ifs now. Thanks for your kind words.
 
Don't dispair - wait until the surgeon has seen him and given you options.

Aran had surgical fusion at the RVC and is now back out competing. it took aran a year but he's come back better (the hock must have been affecting him for a bit even though he never showed any signs)
 
Keep your chin up - although the hock seems to be a very vulnerable and important joint which comes in for a lot of hammer, it can also recover after some pretty horrific damage and problems.

I'm sorry for you, having done so open-handed a thing as to lend your horse only for this to happen. It's bad enough if they break with you.........
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Do let us know and here are some <<<<<vibes>>>>> for him.
 
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