Rocky is a tough little guy who came to us in rough shape. Around February, 2011, Rocky fractured a pastern at the track. The break actually healed wonderfully, but there was a lot of degradation of cartilage between the top two pastern bones. So much in fact that when he walks there is a very painful bone on bone contact.
Rocky was a horse that many people would have euthanized, but we decided to take a somewhat radical approach in an attempt to save this guy. On the advice of our vet we chose to attempt to chemically fuse Rocky’s pastern. This would limit the flexibility of the joint somewhat, but once the two bones fuse it would eliminate the pain that currently accompanies him on a daily basis.
As part of his recovery, Rocky was turned out to pasture 24/7 with a great babysitter. The constant or near-constant movement will aid him in breaking down and then building up that weak part of his pastern. There are timelines we are watching closely as he has several mile markers to pass before we can say we are successful. He made it past the 10 day window where infection is most likely, and now is approaching his 60 day checkup which will tell us whether the treatment is working.
Please keep Rocky in your thoughts and prayers and send good thoughts his way to speed his recovery. He’s a very kind horse with a big heart that deserves a shot, and we’re willing to give it to him.
Upon completion of the fusing, we are hoping Rocky will be sound for light work. If you would like more information on Rocky or would be interested in helping sponsor some of the cost of his recovery, please let us know!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As of December, 2011 Rocky had returned to soundness! His pastern eventually fused very well and in January we began riding him. He was eager to work and took right to the trails, doing walk/trot/canter. Soon after we restarted him, he was snatched up by Sam in New Holland, PA who now spoils him rotten and enjoys him as a trail horse and great companion. We wish them many happy trails!
