Triple Trouble: Fractures and Stall Rest and Rehab — Oh My!
We all know horses always are trying their hardest to injure, maim, and permanently disable themselves. But Payco has outdone himself this time. He has a long road to recovery, and the journey is just getting started.
This Triple Trouble series should be called Payco is Trouble because most of the troubled shenanigans relate to him. He is, for lack of a better terms, my problem child. Wherever he goes, trouble follows — but this time he REALLY outdid himself.
In my last Triple Trouble article, I wrote about all the series of unfortunate events that took place in Shelbyville, Tennessee — most of which were not on my CMSA Easterns Bingo card. One was Payco sustaining a fracture while competing. After finding a veterinarian to haul to, loading up a SEVERELY lame horse, and making the trip to get a diagnosis, the news was heart-wrenching.
Pam Lohrey of Cloud Rider Services providing a massage and red light therapy to Payco. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
At the time, we were told Payco sustained a spiral fracture to the radius. The radiograph showed a small, clean fracture going downward toward the knee from a small wound entry point. The prognosis seemed to be optimistic and the hope was that Payco would be back to riding by the spring.
Initial radiograph from Tennessee. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Since the injury, I have thrown just about everything I could at healing the bone. In the mix was Magnawave, Beamer Therapy, bone supplements, massage therapy, cold hosing, Back on Track products on pretty much the entire body, soft ride boots, red light therapy, ice, and a higher protein diet — you name it, he’s on it. In 30 days, it seemed as if Payco was making progress. Although still lame, he looked more comfortable moving around his stall. I was sure at our 30 day check up the veterinarian was going to give good news that this injury was just a minor setback and was healing at a great rate.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Payco and I couldn’t be so lucky. While I’m sure he did make great progress and he is healing at a satisfactory rate, there’s a lot more to the injury than originally identified. I was so naive leading up to those findings.
Honestly, the day of Payco’s checkup I was excited for the veterinarian to come. She rolled up with her vet tech and her x-ray machine and got right to business taking films. As soon as the images began popping up on the screen, I was eager to view them. As a nurse, and someone who’s broken quite a few bones, I’m familiar with viewing an x-ray. When one particular image flashed on the screen, my heart sank and I was sick to my stomach. I made the comment, “Please tell me this fracture is not as large as I think it is.” Unfortunately, we were both in shock and it was indeed a lot larger than the initial radiographs indicated.
When the site was radiographed in Tennessee, the veterinarians only caught the bottom part of the fracture. Unfortunately, the fracture split both ways from the external wound site, not just downward as the veterinarian in Tennessee had suspected. The fracture actually spans from Payco’s elbow to his growth plate above the knee.
Most recent radiograph. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Most horses with a with radial fracture of this magnitude are humanely euthanized. With that knowledge, my vet consulted a surgeon to see how we should proceed. The bone does have good growth around it and Payco is bearing weight on the leg, so we were hoping that was enough to give positive reassurance that he may heal enough to be ridden again.
These were the recommendations of the veterinarian and surgeon:
- Continue stall rest for approximately one year
- No farrier work to be completed until 100 days post injury
- At the first sign of high energy, sedate him
- If he regresses at all, call the vet immediately
- Recheck the fracture every 30 days
Looking at his long term rehabilitation, after stall rest is done, Payco will be turned out by himself with sedation and at that point his soundness will be gauged. We are hoping for a full recovery, but there is the very real possibility that he may end up as a light riding horse or only pasture sound.
This is devastating news. However, I am very diligent with his care and hopeful for the best. On our side are his age, resilience, and the good bone growth that is happening.
Payco enjoying a little hand grazing while his stall is being cleaned. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
I have to remember to take it day by day, keeping a close eye on the area, his temperament, and his gait. He is getting a good diet and supplements that will promote healing. I’m really hoping for some good news at his next appointment. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle more bad news.
Not to sound trite, but facing situations like this is always a good reminder to enjoy the rides and time we have with our horses. For now, I’ll do whatever I can for Payco and enjoy being able to ride Buns and Hot Sauce.
