| Author |
 Topic  |
|
tagnrocky
Clinician
USA
1703 Posts |
 Posted - 07/21/2010 : 7:23:54 PM
|
Around noon today, I got a phone call from my neighbor who said Rocky had a cut on his belly. I had just today moved him to the far pasture with Jasper who's been in solitary after kicking Tag last week. I grabbed a halter and ran to get him thinking it was probably a scrap.
Here's what I saw:
I'm pretty sure Jasper got him cornered and kicked him. The vet came out took one look and said he'd really like to treat that at the clinic using stocks, so we hitched up and headed in. Three hours later, one drain, countless stitches and silver bandage stuff, Rocky is now an inpatient at least until the drain comes out.
Dang! It has not been a good year for my four legged friends. And Jasper may be for sale.
|
Nancy (and Tag & Rocky)
Free & easy down the trail I go......
Tagnrocky's Log |
|
|
dunhorsechic
Advanced Rider
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 8:06:16 PM
|
The more I look at the pic, Nancy, the more I think it looks like the mechanism of injury is sideways or downwards. I just can't imagine that it was from a kick from a nonshod horse. Looks like a gait latch or fencepost. However, we need to call in the Equine CSI to find out the truth!!
In any case, he'll heal just fine and be good as new, especially with your excellent care.
Horses are such a joy and a challenge. I have a vet book that says they're constantly looking for an inconvenient place to commit suicide!  |
If you can't be a good example, at least be a horrible warning.
|
 |
|
|
EZ2SPOT
Clinician
USA
3036 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 9:27:47 PM
|
OMG, what a shock it had to have been to see that! Why can't horses spread things out a little, and not have everything happen all in one year??? So the vet now has a Porsche; not surprised, since I paid last year for his kids to go to college!
I agree with Dunny, it does NOT look like a kick. Not at all, and especially not from an unshod hoof. I didn't notice Jasper having shoes on the back. Does he?
It looks more like a slice...like he got too close to something sharp. Could there be any old metal posts sticking out of the ground somewhere in their pasture? It looks a lot like the type of injury Annie had.
Hope he heals quickly and well! Please keep us informed of his progress.
EZ2SPOT |
|
|
|
PaintGal
Trail Boss (Moderator)
USA
4416 Posts |
|
|
tagnrocky
Clinician
USA
1703 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 08:22:49 AM
|
Sorry EZ, I was speaking tongue in cheek! He doesn't drive a Porsche yet! But between Tag's abscess, torn tendon, & eye injury, the dog dying and now this, he's getting a lot of my retirement funds!
I searched the pasture for evidence and couldn't find anything. The neighbor had told me they were kicking each other when he called, but he later told me that he had noticed the wound before the kicking, so it could have been a tear on something. In any case, Rocky is scared of Jasper which probably is the problem.
Right now, I have 3 unhappy horses. I'm keeping Jasper at the old horse barn since he kicked Tag last week, Tag is alone in the new barn, whinnying for Rocky and Rocky is at the vet's. I'm thinking I'll sell Jasper, since I can't seem to integrate him into the herd.
He's a great horse to ride, but needs a bold strong horse to put him in his place. This is just too much work. |
Nancy (and Tag & Rocky)
Free & easy down the trail I go......
Tagnrocky's Log |
|
|
|
dunhorsechic
Advanced Rider
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 12:21:38 PM
|
As you might remember, Kip is the top of our pecking (biting, kicking) order. When we had Jake, Kip really disliked him. It was mostly biting. I put them in separate pastures and put some temporary panels up in the big barn run-in to keep them separate. I wonder why Rocky can't get away from him very well. They have plenty of room, don't they? And no corners or narrow aisles?
I can't exactly remember your pasture, but just divide it and keep Jasper separate. You could give him a different way into his stall or the barn so they don't mix. Or make him stay outside. He'd be fine with water and shade.
When it cools off and you start riding the hair off him, he'll probably mature quickly and get more manners.
Some fun, huh?!! Glad to hear Rocky is doing well at the vet's. |
If you can't be a good example, at least be a horrible warning.
|
|
|
|
ILoveJoe
Clinician
USA
2386 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 12:25:59 PM
|
Poor Rocky. POOR Nancy!!! Very reminiscent of Annie's injury.
I think I would faint right out in the pasture if I walked out and saw that big gaping hole in either Joe or Rocky's side. My Gawd.
I agree with some of the others who suspect Rocky cut himself on something else getting away from Jasper.
Poor lonely Tag. :(
|
Candace Riding and Training Log
|
|
|
|
EZ2SPOT
Clinician
USA
3036 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 8:10:09 PM
|
It is weird! And I'm kind of surprised that Jasper is so dominant. Not always, but usually, age counts for something. At least, it seems to with mares; maybe geldings are different!
How long is Rocky expected to be in the hospital?
EZ2SPOT |
|
|
|
Mrs Hook
Trainer
Canada
706 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2010 : 9:44:28 PM
|
Wow, what a scary thing to have happen. For what its worth, I agree with the others, it doesn't look like a kick but more like a tear.
EZ I find that little boys are brats. Picture a group of 10 year old boys in a playground. Lots of rough housing and rolling around, with a few fights thrown in.
Last year Cruiser and Flyer were both covered with bites - big hunks of hair and some skin missing. This year they are better but they still run and chase and leap and kick and bite. I find as boys get older they settle down. Girls never seem to go through that stage, but they are more inclined to kick and mean it.
I wonder if Jasper isn't just trying to find someone to play roughhouse with him? |
Mrs Hook's Riding Log
|
Edited by - Mrs Hook on 07/22/2010 9:46:36 PM |
|
|
|
Red Hawk
Clinician
USA
4404 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 09:30:45 AM
|
I agree that age has nothing to do with a horse being dominant. I read somewhere that this dominance has everything to do with the horse's dam. She's the one that teaches her foal these things. And if she happens to be the alpha mare in a group, the foal will be too.
Dove was 9 years younger than Warrior but had no problem taking over as alpha from him. He's always been alpha, and I bet his momma was too. Warrior had learned to bluff from his close association to my mare, Wimp, from the time he was a yearling. He was a coward at heart. Dove wasn't. He knew he was boss and had no problem proving it to Warrior in very short order.
|
"God forbid that I should go to any heaven in which there are no horses"
--Robert Browning
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
-- Author Unknown
|
|
|
|
tagnrocky
Clinician
USA
1703 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 5:13:46 PM
|
We found the culprit and it is a gate bolt. We have two gates hung on opposite sides of the same post. When the right gate is open, the bolt sticks past the gate about an inch. Just enough to catch and tear skin. I think they came running up the hill side by side squeezing unsuccessfully thru the gate opening even though it is at least 12 feet wide. Rick sawed it off as soon as we found it.
Sawn bolt with evidence
 |
Nancy (and Tag & Rocky)
Free & easy down the trail I go......
Tagnrocky's Log |
|
|
|
EZ2SPOT
Clinician
USA
3036 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 6:29:14 PM
|
At least you now know what happened! Uh, do you owe Jasper an apology???
It took me nearly a week to find the place where Butterbrickle cut her head last year!
And how is Rocky doing today?
EZ2SPOT |
|
|
|
ILoveJoe
Clinician
USA
2386 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 9:55:09 PM
|
I am so glad you found that bolt and removed it!
Something similar happened at the boarding stable Joe and I were at when I first bought Joe, a beautiful palomino named Taz had a bolt just like that puncture into his chest and it hit an artery. Some of the boarders helped rush him to Rood and Riddle, with one riding in the trailer with his hand in the horses chest trying to stem the blood flow.
Unfortunately Taz did not survive the enormous amount of blood lost.
|
Candace Riding and Training Log
|
|
|
|
tagnrocky
Clinician
USA
1703 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 08:41:40 AM
|
| Yes, I owe him an apology! I did see him double barrel Tag several times last week, cutting Tag's hock and scraping his hip, so I don't trust him with Tag. Tag wants to be boss, but can't move very fast and I think his vision is limited, so he's no match for Jasper. Jasper & Rocky have gotten along ok, although he pushes Rocky around and they go racing around the pasture. Rocky will not challenge anyone. He's doing fine right now, by the way. He should come home on Monday barring complications, but stall rest only. They don't want him busting a gut! |
Nancy (and Tag & Rocky)
Free & easy down the trail I go......
Tagnrocky's Log |
|
|
|
homein3turns
Trainer
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 12:14:42 PM
|
I am glad to read the Rocky is doing well and will get to come home soon! Isn't it amzing what they will find to tear themselves up on? Sometimes I think they do it on purpose and then place bets on how long it will take their humans to figure out how they did it!  I will hold good thoughts for a speedy recovery.
I could bring Tuff over for a couple of weeks and let him put Japser in his place LOL Tuff is a complete BRAT and has been alpha over every horse he is with, sometimes it's a pain in the tush. |
Juli Collier
Pendleton, IN
Juli's Riding Log
"Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart. You will never regret it." Author Unknown |
|
|
|
Red Hawk
Clinician
USA
4404 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 1:05:51 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by tagnrocky
... They don't want him busting a gut!
Then by all means don't tell Rocky any jokes or make him laugh   !
Sorry, I just couldn't resist  .
At least you found the cause and removed it. Glad to hear Rocky is on the mend. Does this mean you'll be keeping Jasper  ?
|
"God forbid that I should go to any heaven in which there are no horses"
--Robert Browning
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
-- Author Unknown
|
|
|
|
EZ2SPOT
Clinician
USA
3036 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 4:55:01 PM
|
Ya know...there are a lot of different ways of keeping horses, and it varies by region, what you have available, etc.
Here, it is common to keep horses turned out with each other, either in the daytime and stalled at night, or out 24/7.
Back when I lived in Colorado, most of us who boarded our horses, had either a stall and paddock, or a paddock with a run-in shed, and that's what the horses were kept in. Rarely were the horses turned out together. Exercise was from riding, lunging, or being turned out into the arena for awhile. And the horses were perfectly fine and healthy with this arrangement! It is not as if they were totally alone and never saw other horses; they could touch & communicate through the fence if they wanted to.
What I am trying to say is that if Jasper is working out for you in other ways, don't let this be the deciding factor. He will learn to adjust to being in a separate paddock/pasture, if that is what is necessary for everyone to be safe.
EZ2SPOT |
|
|
|
Hook
Trail Boss (Moderator)
Canada
5442 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 07:56:16 AM
|
Kudos to your neighbours and your fast action in getting Rocky to the vet so quickly. Doesn't look like any internal problems like Annie so I am hoping you will be pleasantly surprised just how fast horses can heal. Also a good thing the scar will not be under the saddle.
A good lesson here for us all. GO DO A THOROUGH CHECK OF YOUR HORSE STALLS AND TURN OUT AREAS FOR ANY LOOSE BOARDS, NAILS, AND ANY OTHER SHARP PROJECTIONS THAT COULD INJURE A HORSE. Take any equipment, rakes, plows, stored stuff etc out of any areas where a horse can walk free or while being lead. Look around as you walk or lead you horse and say to your self "If my horse spooked, in any direction or got loose is there any thing they could get caught on or run into". Those stored wheelbarrows have steel legs just perfect to do some real damage if a horse got tangled in one.
My games mare "Sugar had a three inch gash in her nose that required stitches from from a small nail that happened to protrude into her stall about 1/4" that had been invisible prior to the cut. Small things can still do significant damage.
Be proactive and let this incident with Rocky be a warning about how careful we must be and particularly when we make any changes.
|
Hook(ed)......on Horses
"The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. " Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
|
Edited by - Hook on 07/25/2010 07:57:31 AM |
|
|
|
dunhorsechic
Advanced Rider
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 1:23:33 PM
|
Amen. Some areas are easier to police than others. We live on a 306 acre farm; it's almost impossible to cover everywhere. We do, however, always keep our eyes open for possible disaster-causing objects. Just a couple of days ago I noticed and removed a small piece of wire sticking out from a fence post....probably been there more than 20 yrs.
It's also worth noting that we all have to be mindful of dominant horses. When we go out of town and I leave instructions to someone horse-sitting, I make certain I explain that the dominant horse gets put IN first, but get's let out of his stall LAST. I also make it a point to tell the sitter that while none of our horses would hurt you for anything, they're more afraid of the horses above them in the pecking order, and will unintentionally run over YOU to get away from THEM.
I'm so glad Rocky is doing well. You won't even be able to tell where he was hurt in a surprisingly short time. |
If you can't be a good example, at least be a horrible warning.
|
|
|
|
EZ2SPOT
Clinician
USA
3036 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 9:49:10 PM
|
How's Rocky doing? Is he home yet? Hoping for an update with good news!
EZ2SPOT |
|
|
|
tagnrocky
Clinician
USA
1703 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 9:58:26 PM
|
Rocky is doing ok. He came home on Monday and is on stall rest. The vet is coming next Monday to possibly take out the sutures.
We leave on Wednesday for Yellowstone, so I'm concerned about him busting open while we are gone, but the vet said he'd evaluate and he'd do what is best. |
Nancy (and Tag & Rocky)
Free & easy down the trail I go......
Tagnrocky's Log |
|
|
|
dunhorsechic
Advanced Rider
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2010 : 07:57:13 AM
|
| Way to go, Rocky! He'll do fine. Now he has something to talk about with Tag and all HIS vet adventures. |
If you can't be a good example, at least be a horrible warning.
|
|
|
|
tagnrocky
Clinician
USA
1703 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 9:24:29 PM
|
Rocky's sutures were taken out today. Several days ago, it looked very bumpy and swollen, and I thought the sutures may have to stay in longer, but today looked pretty good. He had a few scabby areas come off and expose pink skin, but all in all, it looks surprisingly good.
Hopefully the scar will be small. No riding for quite a while. He still has a lot of internal healing to do. He'll be finishing up his antibiotics tomorrow.
 |
Nancy (and Tag & Rocky)
Free & easy down the trail I go......
Tagnrocky's Log |
|
|
|
killybean907
Trainer
USA
954 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 04:59:39 AM
|
Wow, it's looks pretty good! Glad it's healing well.
|
Killybean907's Riding Log 2009
It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.
Karen-Anchorage, Alaska |
|
|
|
PaintGal
Trail Boss (Moderator)
USA
4416 Posts |
|
|
homein3turns
Trainer
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 12:28:07 PM
|
| Looks great - isn't it amazing how fast things heal? Bummer you won't be able to ride for awhile, of course the weather has not been the greatest so you really aren't missing much |
Juli Collier
Pendleton, IN
Juli's Riding Log
"Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart. You will never regret it." Author Unknown |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
HorseSaddleShop Facebook
HorseSaddleShop Twitter
My vet drives a Porsche - see horse for details
Fingers crossed for a quick recovery.