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Monday, November 2, 2009

Another frustrating injury!

I got a call from the barn manager on Friday while I was at work about a bump on Mazzy's thigh. I was told that the groom decided to lunge her to see if she was lame, which really isn't a decision the grooms would normally make (I find out later that he either he did not notice it before he decided to lunge her or she slipped while lunging and got the "bump" and is afraid to say that). It didn't sound terribly serious from what they told me on the phone, so I figured they would do what they thought best to treat her. I called a friend of mine who happened to be at the barn at that time and asked her to take a look and give me her opinion. She is very knowledgeable with loads of experience. I would trust her more than anyone with the care of my horses. The "bump" was really a nearly football sized swelling. She sent me a photo and videos over the phone (can't figure out how to post the videos)....Mazzy was put back in her stall without wraps, so my wonderful friend wrapped her legs to prevent the swelling from settling down in her legs and causing more problems. She also gave her 2 bute to help with the swelling and pain. I was so grateful she was looking after her, since I was stuck at work. I do not know exactly what happened because I have heard a couple of different versions of the order of events. I do know there was quite a bit of swelling on Friday and it dissipated by Saturday morning, and then more so by Sunday. There is still quite a bit of swelling, but it is not as centralized. She is sore at the walk, and isn't thrilled when you palpate the area. There is a knot in the middle of the swelling which is sensitive to her, and there are a few small scratches/scuffs over the area which may be related. I have been cold hosing, hand walking, using Surpass (topical anti-inflammatory cream), and giving her 2 bute a day for the past couple of days. I really wish I knew if she fell down lunging, got cast in her stall, or got bit by a spider. If it doesn't get better by tomorrow, I'm going to be calling the vet AGAIN for another visit to see Mazzy. All of these injuries are really getting me concerned about her safety.


Skinned hair off both hips
Swollen back leg, probably from getting cast in her stall (now there are permanent lumps there)

The horses consumed most of the day on Saturday and Sunday, but I did go to a fun costume party Saturday night...

Sunday afternoon we went to Olvera street for the Day of the Dead celebration (All Souls' Day). It is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the US focusing on family and friends praying for and remembering friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on Oct 31, Nov 1st & 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on Nov 1st, and All Souls' Day which occurs on Nov 2nd. Olvera Street is the oldest part of downtown LA, which was converted to a colorful Mexican marketplace in 1930. People paint their faces to look like skeletons, there is music, dancers, lots of alters and shrines are set up for people who have passed, and everyone is selling candy skulls. It was interesting...

8 comments:

Sherry Sikstrom said...

If its any consolation at all My Old mare Catana ( Remembered among other things as the perfect horse) as a 4 yr old had a run of the oddest injuries/lamenesses.Spent a good part of that winter on stall rest. She overcame her clumsies and went on to be an amazing horse ,climbing mountains , herding cattle ,you name it she did it and well! PTS at the ripe old age of 28,just last year due to arthritis (that only set in severely at about 25-6. Maybe Mazzy is just having a clumsy stretch?

Train Wreck said...

FRIEND! Hello, it has been too long:) I am so sorry to hear about your horse. With it where you have described it is an odd place for a wound? Bite I could understand, I hope you figure it out? How frustrating for you. Keep us posted, Hopefully it will get better soon. ((hugs)) Missd ya

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your friend was there to provide some help and live reports - sounds like a bad bump but it should heal up OK - here's hoping!

Julia said...

Goodness that looks strange.

THis getting hurt thing is a big 3 year old problem. Gemma was a wreck at 3. I took off the back of her stall. The entire panel since she kept hitting her hip flailing in and out between the stall and her paddock. She has quite a list herself from that age.

I could not tell if her injury was her gaskin or stifle or hamstring area... It would have had to be a pretty tremendous fall for that to blow up like it is. I'm thinking more like she got bit or whacked it. REgardless, your treatment sounds right. I'd want to have it narrowed down to what's wrong though. Stifles being what they are can be tricky to heal right.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Jessica said...

Darn it! I sure hope that the streak ends soon and that this heals up quickly for her! :(

Desert Rose said...

That is a lot of injuries for one horse that I assume is not truned out with any other horses! My 3 have not had an injury other than a small scrape or two all summer!!!

Paint Girl said...

Sorry to hear about Mazzy's injury! I hope it isn't anything serious. Hope she gets better quickly!
At the barn I work at, we do longe and turn out all the horses, but if one appeared to be injured, it would only be handwalked. Actually, just the other day we heard all this commotion and we ran down the barn aisles to see what was going on. One of the horses was standing up, but shaking pretty badly. We went in his stall and we figured he got cast. We didn't turn him out or longe, just checked him out for any swelling, injuries, than we hand walked him. Plus we have been keeping an eye on him.

allhorsestuff said...

Mazzy!!! Holy Crapola! Those are wayy too many injuries for such a good girl to have..What is with that?! A bit shocked you were not called B-4 the lunging session!
Well...it does sound like it may be getting a bit better with what you have done Tara. Be looking for answers with you and waiting.
So sorry girl, I am happy you have that trsuted friend there..peace of mind!
Kac

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