A couple of weeks ago, just before going to bed, I found Minka limping with lacerations on both legs, a cut just above the hoof, in the rain and mud. I had already scheduled Cowboy for an appointment with Mississippi State, had just saved their emergency line number that morning, and I immediately gave them a call … but for Minka!
After talking with Dr. Gonzales we determined that it was best to bring her in since she wasn’t putting weight on her hind leg and it wasn’t worth the risk of waiting until morning. We loaded up and got to the equine hospital around 1am!
They cleaned up her injuries and boarded her in a warm stall with fresh shavings and a group of friendly students. Minka immediately shared her curious personality and became a favorite patient!
Later in the morning we got the results back from her radiographs and learned she had fractured a splint bone by the cannon bone. We also determined that surgery wasn’t necessary and she would be able to recover with a simple rehab program.
It’s going to take around 4-6 months for the bone to heal. The primary concern we have at this time is the stress that it might cause on the suspensory ligament that runs along the back of the leg. In a few months, we may get a sonograph to ensure she is healing well to minimize lameness.
After lots and lots of stress and prayer searching for a place and preparing for the responsibility of working with her a door was opened to an old friend’s barn about 15 minutes from the house. We hadn’t seen him in almost twenty-five years and it’s been such a blessing to have a knowledgeable and generous boarder.
She has almost no limp and even took a short skid down a muddy hill; part of my own personal accelerated program in addition to her prescribed rehab 😅
For the time Minka is on stall rest and hand-walked twice a day. I’m looking forward to turning her out and letting her freely wander the pasture again.