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Tahoe's leg took a turn for the worse again....

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Tahoe's leg took a turn for the worse again....
  • Turned the horses out to eat this morning, everyone sound and happy.  Went out a couple hours later and Tahoe, Kelly's paint gelding can barely put weight on his left hind leg.  Looks like a rope burn sort of , although just the hair is worn below his stifle and then a big, warm swelling on and around his gaskin area. Really tender, doesn't want us to touch it at all.  Don't know what he would have gotten into, they're in a pasture surrounded by chainlink, nothing to get caught on.  If he got kicked, I'd assume there would be a mark, cut or something. Called the vet and he's on his way....... said there'd be an extra charge for the holiday which I figured already but it looks serious, he's in pain and I don't have any bute left.....  keep your fingers crossed it's nothing serious or terribly expensive!
  • Well, I feel better knowing Tahoe's got an IV bute injection flowing through his veins.  Since he's able to very briefly put weight on the leg, the vet didn't feel that it was seriously fractured but said he either hit it very hard or got kicked pretty good without leaving a mark somehow.  Large, jigglly hematoma.  Since a hairline fracture isn't totally out of the picture, he said to confine him as much as possible so tomorrow when it's light I'll put up a smaller electric fenced area for him, away from the other 2 horses.  Poor guy is so pitiful to watch, really doesn't want to move.  Bute prices have gone up and a holiday call..... ouch, but he's worth it!  Hubby was nice and didn't exclaim in shock at the total ':)'  Hopefully this is our only vet call for an injury or illness for 2010!!
  • Here's wishing a speedy recovery for the jumping-man!  Poor Tahoe!  Sounds like a kick, huh? Big hugs to him! And you.
  • He's looking more comfortable this morning, moving a little more easily.  Ate his bute like a good boy.   Swollen area a little bigger than yesterday.  Kept him in the corral when I let the other two out although if anyone had been watching they would've laughed because you know how horses are with a change in routine!  Had brought out carrots for everyone so they wouldn't cooperate, kept coming back in the corral or stalling in the gate, wanting more than their share.  Finally got everyone where they were supposed to be!
  • Glad he is doing better and I truly hope this is your only 4-legged issue for 2010.
  • Tahoe is looking more perky today.  I let the other geldings out to run and graze and as they burst past his pen, he got excited and then frustrated because he was stuck in his little pen.  He started squealing, farting and gave a little spin and buck, then an obvious "OUCH!!" and cooled his jets, poor guy.  Glad to see him putting more weight on it but need to call the vet and see if we should back off on the bute so he doesn't hurt himself.  Picky boy doesn't want to eat his bute even with the alfalfa/molasses mix I got.  The other two would snarf it down in an instant!
  • Tahoe's leg has been coming along, still swollen but he has been off bute and walking around well.  Tonight it is REALLY swollen, almost touching his sheath and he doesn't want to move again.  Called the vet and he's coming out tomorrow, said he thinks we'll need to drain it.  Sigh...... poor horse.  It looks grotesque.  Must've felt too good and hurt it again......
  • Depressed about Tahoe's leg.  His gaskin/stifle area is twice the size of the other one and the swelling is draining into his leg so his pastern is getting stocked up too.  I feel bad that he has to be out in the mud, wish we had a nice stall to tuck him into.  When it quits pouring, we've got several bales of shavings to give him a dry, clean area.  He has a nice, waterproof blanket on and seems to feel OK other than the leg, eating fine, doesn't look distressed.  It's been 20 days now since he hurt it and I feel like we haven't made any progress......... guess I just need to be patient.  There's really nothing to do but let it heal on it's own.  Sigh......... 
  • Poor boy.  I know Kelly must be sick about this.  I hope he gets well quick!  Did the doc drain it?
    I know what you mean about wishing for a stall.  I'm bound and determined to get one put up. I've got mats for a 12x12.  I was going to use 12' corral panels but I have visions of a horse getting cast.  And, if it's possible, Bully's going to do it! I've seen him walking along beside a corral panel and *boing* his leg goes through it.  [':o']