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  Discussion on Complete Tear of Extensor Tendon
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New Member:
dieliz99

Posted on Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 - 10:41 pm:

My 2010 AWR/APHA, B'art, was in the pasture last summer when he apparently kicked through the fence at another horse and wrapped his hind leg around the vinyl-wrapped high tensile wire. He basically garroted the lower hind leg, leaving just a small area of intact skin at the back of the leg. He severed a vein and his extensor tendon, and had a huge wound and exposed cannon bone. I was away at a show, but luckily an equine vet rides with my trainer and was able to give my husband emergency advice over the telephone, and he was able to get a tourniquet on the colt before he bled to death.
I was close to having the horse euthanized, but was advised that he could be saved and should be functional again, so we made the decision to make the effort to save him.
We decided against a removeable cast (shades of Barbaro) and instead used layers of non-stick gauze, roll gauze, Gamgee, track wrap, two quilted wraps, another layer of track wrap, then vet wrap to secure the velcro. As far as wound dressing, we used Furazone on the bad wound in the front, and sugardine (sugar and iodine mixed) on the back where it wasn't as deep. The wrap was pulled pretty tight at first, then after a few months, we've been just applying moderate pressure.
We began using another product instead of the Furazone that a local pharmacy compounds, which is applied as a liquid but then on contact with body heat becomes a semi-solid gel. That seems to have helped with infection, as it seals the wound and prohibits proud flesh. I am happy to say that we have gone from a hideous gaping wound with about 3/4 to an inch of exposed bone to a small, well-granulated area that is about half the size of my little fingernail. We never experienced infection. I anticipate full closure in the next week or two. There is absolutely no proud flesh!
This accident happened on July 17 last year. B'art has been confined to a stall, and I use Reserpine daily to help keep him reasonably calm. His mother is a cribber, and with the thoroughbred in his breeding (just meaning he has a tendency to be a little hot), we wanted to be sure he is quiet and doesn't develop bad stall habits. So far, so good! He is hand-walked daily (some days he is hand-trotted...no choice...he is really full of it!) after he was fairly well-healed, maybe about three months or so.
Initially, the horse did have, of course, a propensity to knuckle over, but this only happened when we were changing the dressing. The heavy bandage seemed to keep him supported and he learned to step properly with the leg. When healing progressed to the point that we were able to hand-walk him, he looked fabulous. There was very minimal disruption of stride.
Until about two months ago. Now the horse has a moderate string-halt type of gait. When he comes out of his stall, it is more pronounced, then as he is walked, it becomes less noticeable; however, it never quite goes away at a walk. At a trot, it is not as apparent.
So, after the lengthy history, is this sudden nerve disruption something that will disappear as the nerve heals? Or will I now have to look at a neurectomy?
This colt was bred for eventing/jumping (he cleared a 4.5-foot fence as a 9-month-old!!) I understand that the extensor tendon should not be an issue, and the horse should be able to make a near-full recovery, but now this altered gait has me scared.
Also, how much longer should he be confined? He is becoming a real handful as the weather gets warmer. I will be able to put him outside in a 16 x 16 pen with shelter if he can go out. I am sure that he will be an idiot for a while...Ace? More Reserpine?
We have come so far with this colt, I hope he will still have a useful future. He is so talented and smart, I don't want to give up on him. However, I also want to be realistic.
HELP!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 18, 2012 - 9:46 am:

Hello Dieliz,
Concerning the questions about when can this horse come out of the stall these are questions that will have to be answered by the examining veterinarian but given the information you have I would wonder why he feels the need for continued stalling.

As to the stringhalt all I can say is that most cases do not resolve on their own though there have been exceptions. Whether your horse will be one of those or not I do not know.
DrO
New Member:
dieliz99

Posted on Saturday, Feb 18, 2012 - 6:53 pm:

I was advised to leave him stalled until the wound was completely closed. I believe the reasoning was to prevent infection and to give the tendon time to reattach and become secure. We are so close. The vet will be here again on March 5, and will re-examine him at that time.
I'll update after that exam.
Thank you. I know you can't tell much without seeing him.
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