All is Well That Ends Well

You have all heard that every story deserves a happy ending. Previously I had written of my adventurous mare that managed to be on the losing end of a horse “fist-fit”. Well I thought it would only be appropriate that I conclude her story with my next entry.

The surgery and recovery was not without drama. (It is of course my horse!). I learned that it is possible for a 900# horse to receive 4cc Xylazine, a 2000# dose of Ketamine/Valium, 250mL triple drip bolus, and still be awake enough to have to be gassed down with Iso before being able to be hoisted onto the surgery table. The surgery itself was relatively uneventful and the fractured splint bone fragments were successfully removed without complication. Recovery was a nail-biting experience, and her mad bolt from the recovery room into her stall netted her an additional banged up hip and a few cuts and scrapes on her legs. But the end result was she was alive, the left hind leg was still stitched up, and she only had a few bruises to her pride.

The stress of the event resulted in her breaking with diarrhea the morning after surgery. After 2 days of her receiving any and every anti-diarrheal medication available that could be shoved down her throat, her feces were normal, her attitude mildly resentful, and her body deemed ready for discharge from the hospital.

It has now been 6 weeks since surgery. She has healed up quite nicely after countless days of handwalking, bandage changes, and a few choice words here and there. She is enjoying her last week in small paddock turnout before I “brave the treacherous waters” and begin her back in a light work program.

Those who know me know that I say my horses are like a free continuous education workshop! I am happy to say the last “session” had the quintessential happy ending. So, until the next time…….class is dismissed.