Not good news for Murphy - follow up to yesterday's post

[Laafet]

Spoke to the surgeon today and its not good news. The bone spavin on its own would normally be treatable but the degree of arthritis in the joint means that it is not possible to perform the arthroscopy successfully. They could not believe how sound he had been as his hock was in a pretty bad way before the spur can off to cause Saturday's lameness. Apparently horses with Murphy's degree of deteriation usually have been lame for some time. I can vouch for the fact he's never been lame in his life.
So he is a fighter, the surgeon agreed on that.
Now he's been put on 6 weeks box rest to allow the bone fragment to settle and then its back for reassessment as to his quality of life. Best scenario is that he is sound enough for light work, basically paddock sound. They said he would never compete again...........
I am really struggling to come to terms with what has happened to my beautiful baby. He's given me so much over 9 years. I learned to long rein with him, we taught each other how to do flying changes and half pass, we've jumped huge hedges and stone walls out hunting and never been unplaced in showing or dressage.
I do atleast have Tarquin, who's got some really big shoes to fill now, he'll never replace the competition horse that Murphy was but I can atleast try to do my best with him. Hopefully him and Murphy can become friends and Murphy can accompany him to shows as a nanny to keep Tarquin sane.

 

[Bananaman]

I'm so very, very sorry to read this news.

Fingers crossed that he recovers enough in order to enjoy a well earned retirement with you and Tarquin.

(((HUGS))) to you and to Murphy, he sounds like a wonderful boy.

 

[Thistle]

Oh no.

Fingers crossed that murphy can become sound enough to have a good quality of life.

 

[Rosiefan]

Oh how sad - but remember, he probably doesn't mind if he can't compete as long as he still has you and I bet he'll love being a minder.

 

[Folara]

This is so sad. I am very very sorry for you and keep my fingers crossed that Murphy comes good enough to take up his planned 'nanny' duties.

 

[Laafet]

Thank you Banaman, here's a piccie of him enjoying his time at the RDA last year and with Tarquin last July, I've been looking through all his piccie to try to keep positive. I really hope I don't have to make that dreadful decision after the next six weeks.

I'm going down to see him on Saturday to take him his treat ball, a Horselyx and some Readigrass (or similar) to keep him occupied.

 

[Laafet]

Thanks everyone, I do really hope he can become Tarquin's minder, he loves going to parties and has always got excited when the lorry or trailer arrives on a show morning.

 

[Haniki]

What disappointing news for you. Poor Murphy, hope he comes sound enough to enjoy some quiet hacking or at least to enjoy a spell of retirement.

 

[Halfstep]

Oh dear, sorry to hear this. You've had what sounds like a brilliant time with him and he has given you a lot of joy. Those happy memories will help you through such a difficult time.

I do hope that he is able to be made comfortable and can live out a pain free retirement.

 

[Skhosu]

So sorry to hear this

 

[cellie]

I do hope things work out for you.My horse had the surgery 6 weeks ago and I am on tenderhooks waiting to see if he will make a recovery.Its really upsetting I was told to retire my horse or just hack he is only 6 thats why we went for the surgery to give him a chance.We had extreme lameness so your boy must have real strength of character lets hope it gets him through.good luck

 

[lizzieuk1]

hmmm poor pony i do hope he comes out ok.
Interestingly (in humans anyway) studies were carried out into the amount of apparant degeneration in joints shown by xrays and their correlation to pain and reduced joint mobility actually experienced, the results were suprisingly different. i.e poor xray results did not correlate with a proportional amount of pain/decreased mobility in the joint. perhaps this is the same in horses, may have to do more research into that. i would def recommend the usual joint supplements in high doses as they have strong research for improving joint health (again human)

 

[Laafet]

Thanks everyone, I am trying to be positive. Tarquin jumped out his field again so he is obviously trying to prove he wants to be a jumper. Its going to be really hard going to see Murphy this weekend knowing that he may just have six weeks left.
Interesting stuff lizzieuk1, the vets were very surprised about how well Murphy has coped with the level of deteriation that he has so maybe he will come sound enough to enjoy the odd hack once the bone fragment has settled. I wish they would take it out but the vet said it was not worth the risk of infection and complications so I'll take their word for it.
A friend of mine has offered me some grazing at her new place in Somerset for his recovery once he's able to be turned out. His old best mate, Mr Blaze, from Oxfordshire is there so it would be nice for him to see Blaze again. She said he can have his own paddock to minimise the risk of injury from other horses which is nice, as he is a bit of bully. Everyone who knows Murphy has been so kind.