Crossposted: WWYD?? Fractured dreams...

[Heinz_57]

For me, anything that needs a $$$ surgery is a no go. I’m not made of money, my horses aren’t insured and I really don’t have the setup to do post-surgery layup here at home.

So, I would say bless you if you’re willing to incur the cost of surgery and rehab and he will probably come out of it just fine for most uses, though the joint issues might preclude him from upper level work (which would have been the case even without the fracture). But I wouldn’t hold it against anyone that decided to euthanize because they couldn’t easily or reasonably afford the money and time required for surgery and rehab. It’s a long road and not a fun one, easy to end up feeling depressed and resentful if you aren’t 100% dedicated.

[WNT]

My horse fractured two leg bones in his life: the calcaneous in one hock sometime before I got him (the only joint that flexed 1.5/5 on his half-assed budget PPE) and his RF short pastern bone. We got a surgeon’s consult on the pastern, and he just said stall rest and limited hand walking. Three months rest, and he was right as rain.

I took him for a lameness exam focusing on his back when he was about 19, and the vet said he was one of the soundest horses for his age he’d ever seen. His back was another issue… Obviously, not every horse is the same (understatement of the millenium), but a broken bone isn’t necessarily a death sentence.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I’ve had several horses fully recover from fractures…and prefer fractures over soft tissue injuries. I have one who went on to ultimately go 3* who broke a rib (it displaced and was pressing on his heart). He had surgery…long rehab and fully recovered. He did this when he was 6 and no where near proven to be an UL eventer. Also uninsured…and it was damn expensive but glad I took that chance on him.

There is no right or wrong choice…But having a screw put in for a fracture really may not rule out a long term career for him. Just letting you know this is horses…but a fracture, even needing surgery…often isn’t that bad and the long term prognosis can still be great. It really just depends. Good luck to you.

[Hey_Mickey]

Success story alert.

So, almost 2 years ago my horse fractured his cannon bone playing in his field with his friends- 2 months after I got him. This horse was a free horse, who I had gotten as a resale project to pay off my horse trailer. He needed a tie back surgery (which is why he didn’t do well on the track) but he was lovely, calm, big and kind.

The vets gave him a 100% chance of recovery- said he may need stall rest for 30-60 days, no surgery.

Wellllll 6 months later he was finally allowed to get turned out, he grew a big ugly bone callous over the fractured area.
Many times my mom told me to put him down, he was a free horse, he had a breathing problem, I’d never be able to sell him.

Its been 2 years, the ugly bone callous has mostly disappeared. I’ve never had a single issue with that leg (or any other leg) he jumps 4ft+, I did the tie back surgery this past summer (although looking back I wish I had done it when he was on stall rest for his leg but I couldn’t justify spending the money on a horse that I had for 2 months prior to the leg breaking)

He is literally the nicest horse I have ever had, and really he’s one of the nicest horses I’ve ever sat on. He had no limiting factors other than his natural athleticism. It’s been worth it. But ultimately the decision is up to you.

Get a second or third opinion- he may not need surgery- but it may take more time. Find the best surgeon you can even if it is a simple surgery.

[SanguinePenguin]

Welp… here we are on Thursday night, at work, hoping all goes well in surgery tomorrow. Dropped the little guy (not so little, I guess, everyone kept commenting on how big he is, and all the ways that could cause problems…) off at the university vet hospital and he’ll go under general anesthesia early tomorrow morning.

Feeling… complicated. I mean, I sat there, listening to the surgeon tell me what was going to happen, tell me the cost estimate, and go through the timeline and all the possible complications. I felt a little crazy, but determined. I told my friend who came with me there wasn’t any way I would look the surgeon in the eye and be, like, nah, nevermind. I’m just gonna turn him out and see what happens. Or, nah, nevermind, I’m going to take him home and dig a hole. Nope, we’re doing this. I wish I had been a little better prepared, but whatevs.

Yes, there will be a screw. Hopefully the fragment will not fragment further. Hopefully he will survive anesthesia. There will be three months of recovery (not too bad, considering, but not awesome, either). With the cost of this surgery combined with all the other vet bills I have paid in the last 60 days, I could have purchased another one of him, plus a mini and maybe a puppy. My husband is going to pass out. I am going to work a lot of overtime, so don’t plan on speeding through Oregon anytime soon.

Thank you to everyone who chimed in with opinions or good wishes. They were helpful, truly. It was good just to put this out there, talk myself off the ledge, and keep moving forward.

[Outyougo]

Unicorns are priceless. Just a bit hard to be bridled. I will drive slow for three months.

[anon6003733]

@SanguinePenguin I’ve been following along and just wanted to say all the best to you and your horse on the big day and in the coming months!

[WildLittleWren]

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Thinking positive thoughts for you. Most vets before big procedures are always super negative. It’s CYA. And yes, crap can happen…but it can also go well. My horse with the broken rib is very very VERY large. They don’t wake up as well from Anesthesia as the smaller horses but I wouldn’t let that stop me from trying. Hoping it goes well and he is well behaved for his rehab.

[ACMEeventing]

Fingers crossed! Please keep us posted

[BAC]

I hope all goes well for your guy, I’m glad you decided to give him a chance.

[OverandOnward]

OK, by now you’re not the only one emotionally invested. You have to let us know about the surgery and the recovery.

And keep giving us updates for the rest of his life. :yes:

And he needs a name. What’s his name?

All good things, Sweet Horse, praying for the best for you! <3

[Heinz_57]

Eyes on the prize! Fingers crossed all is going as planned.

[ExpialidociousOTTB]

It sounds like he is a very special horse. Wishing for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!!

[SanguinePenguin]

Hi, all,

“Carl” survived surgery, but had a rough recovery. He’s being kept a bit longer to ensure he’s stable enough to go home, and they’ll take another set of rads to be sure he didn’t disturb the screw. He did have two fragments, but the surgeon was able to set them up against the bone with a washer to keep everything in place.

I visited him yesterday and he was down, napping, and seemed OK but pretty worn out, not his usual obnoxious self. Four peppermints later he regained his interest in my jacket zipper pulls, but when the treats were gone, he just wanted to lie down and snooze. He’s really tired—he started dreaming while I was there. I groomed his neck a bit, talked to the surgeon, and left him to sleep.

So far so good. Updates will follow

[vineyridge]

Thanks for the update. Keep 'em coming. I’ve been jingling for him.

[OverandOnward]

Good news, thanks for the update!

Go Carl! Cooperate with the doctors & techs and take your meds. You’ll be headed home all the sooner!

[Sheasmom2]

.Jingles for your pony. Bless his heart, I hope he recovers well.

[SanguinePenguin]

Carl gets to come home today. Rads revealed everything is where it should be. I had no idea I was holding so much stress until the vet called and said everything looked good. Holy crap, I’m finally smiling again.

[FrittSkritt]

That’s great news! I’m happy he’s healing. Accident prone horses like this are the main reason insurance is a good option… don’t ask me how I know… :rolleyes: