I’ve had only two experiences personally, both huge colts with long legs. I went with the splinting/wrapping on the first, as I was concerned about the Tetracycline in one so young, though that was the vet’s recco. There may have been other issues with that colt that we weren’t aware of from the start, but the outcome on that one was not positive. The next time, I agreed to the Tetracycline, and I think we did it on Day 3. Positive outcome, and the colt did not have to spend days/weeks struggling. Since then, I am much more inclined to go with the Tetracycline, but I think every case is different, and one-size won’t fit all. In general though, I now think the sooner they can bear normal weight on all fours, the less likely those new joints or other mechanisms of movement will be stressed or subjected to injury.
Thankyou for sharing your experience, its much appreciated. Latest update is that her white cell count has come back normal which makes her panting and sweating less likely to be infection. Good news!
She can’t go out much at the moment because the UK is in the middle of an extended monsoon period. The fields are waterlogged and deep in mud. Its also extremely cold. Weird weather for May.
I’ve asked the vet twice about Tetracycline and their advice has been to wait a few more days. So I’m waiting. She is straightening up a little every day but I’ll be very glad when her front legs are straight.
I have been worried for weeks that this mare was going to have a big foal, but didn’t imagine that she’d have one as big as she did! Its totally changed my breeding plans with her. I daren’t use a middleweight stallion on her again. The sire of this foal is only 15.2. :eek:
Don’t rush into the oxytet. It can be really hard on the babies and oftentimes you’ll loosen up something that didn’t need loosening in the first place.
As for the next breeding, the mare may be responsible for the size, even if she’s not huge herself. They usually have more to do with birth size/weight than the guys do.
Ditto on the wraps. We use the rolled cotton and do the entire lower leg and then wrap Vet wrap over it. You have to check them several times a day to make sure they aren’t too tight or too lax.
The contraction is actually caused by a tightness just below and behind the knee - NOT in the tendon itself.
We’ve had very good luck with the wraps.
I also agree about the tetracyline. A breeder I know had a filly with one hind that was tight and one that was lax. They used the oxytet and the tight one let go but the other one just collapsed. The filly was never righ and had to have surgery to plate the ankle. She was never rideable.
Your vet is giving you good advice, you should listen and stop over-worrying. Darling foal, but doesn’t look “seriously” contracted to me from the photo.
We have had 2 worse than that and we just turned out for short periods in good footing increasing the time each day. It took several weeks, but they both ended up just fine.
Good luck with your foal and enjoy the stages of life!
