AboutAnne Stepien Expertise I am knowledgeable regarding Standardbred race horses (trotters and pacers). I can answer general questions, questions regarding conformation, rigging, lameness and some shoeing questions.
Experience I raced standardbreds (primarily trotters) for 9 years on the Grand Circuit and in overnight events for approximately 15 years.
Question QUESTION: My daughter was recently given the opportunity to have shared use of a retired racehorse. We don't know a lot about this horse. He was given to a young woman about 6 months ago (who has no prior experience with horses) who told us he had chips in his knee that were surgically removed about a year ago and could no longer be raced. The horse is 9 years old and although he looks slightly on the thin side, appears to be otherwise healthy. My daughter and I went to meet him for the first time last week. When we got there, he was out in the pasture holding his left leg elevated from the ground and did not want to come into the barn. His knee was moderately swollen, not hot and the swelled area was firm, making me think it was not fluid filled. His owner told us that most times it is not swollen, especially after he is exercised daily. She unsuccessfully attempted to pull him by the harness and then coax him with treats. My daughter got her lunge whip and walked to his rear, at which time, he proceeded to walk to the barn without limping. He has a wonderful disposition and is obviously used to being groomed and tacked (and probably lunged as well). She groomed and tacked him, and then walked him outside to the ring. Upon entering the ring, he kicked up his back legs mildly (only about two feet off the ground). She had him walk in a circle a half dozen times and when noticing a very mild limp to his swollen leg, she took him in. We do not have experience with an injured horse and have no idea what to make of this situation or what should be done. It should be noted that this horse is being kept at a private (owner does all) barn that has only three pastures, one of which has no horse, so there aren't other people around. The owner is very cooperative and willing to take our advise, move barns, etc., but I don't know if this is something we should pursue. I guess what I would like to know now is how I should go forward. Do you think it would be worth it to get a equine vet to come out and look at his knee? We only have two qualified vets in our area, but there are others that we could either travel to or have travel to us. Do you think we should be seeking out someone with specific expertise? Do you think this is something that could be rehabilitated by us? We are very willing to go to him (daily if necessary) and do whatever we need to do. Any advise you can offer would be greatly appreciated :)
ANSWER: Hi Lori.
I'm curious why he can't be raced because he had bone chips removed from his knee. This (and OCD surgeries) are very common and horses race after them all the time. I suspect you were told this because the original owner didn't want to give up the papers.
Is he receiving any medication for inflammation, like Bute or Antiflam? Is anything being done to the knee, like hosing or ice/therapy boots?
I would try one or both of the above. If there isn't any improvement in a week or if things worsen I wouldn't hesitate to call a vet.
Best wishes!
Anne Stepien
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Anne,
Thank you so much for your quick response! You are probably correct about the papers, in fact, I just found out that the previous owner had the new owner sign a contract stating that she would not sell the horse, but would return it, if she no longer wanted it or couldn't afford to keep it. Knowing that information, do you suspect that there is something seriously wrong with the horse, or he has just been retired?
At this time, he is not really receiving any treatment of any kind. The new owner told me she puts a gel pack on his knee sometimes when if it looks swollen and she puts bengay on it. She really has no idea what to do with him (and obviously I don't either). I will suggest that we give him Antiflam and ice/therapy boots and see how he does for a week. During that time, should we be doing anything physically with him or limiting his physical activity?
Answer Hi Lori.
Do you happen to know what breed this horse is? If you send the the freeze brand or tattoo number I can try to get you a little more information.
At nine years old, I suspect the previous owner was just trying to do the right thing and didn't want to see the horse competing when he's not at his best. Strange she should tell your friend a horse can't be raced after bone chip removal though.
I wouldn't worry about limiting his physical activity. If his leg is bothering him he probably won't try to over exert himself. If the horse was in my barn, I'd probably sweat the knee with some Noxema, but I worry about someone without much experience wrapping a knee. If the horse happens to play with the bandage or it's applied incorrectly, it could result in further damage.
It might not be a bad idea to have the vet come out and get an X-ray. This way you will know what you are dealing with and have a baseline study in case there are problems in the future. My gut feeling is that you are dealing with one of three things:
1) Arthritic changes to the knee
2) Additional bone chips in the knee or calcifications from previous chips
3) Slab fracture of the knee
Good luck! I'd be interesed in hearing what you find out and how your boy does.
Anne Stepien
