filly keeps getting injured- very discouraged

[springer]

I have a lovely Balta Czar filly who is just turning 1 yr old. She has been plagued with a multitude of injuries since she was 6 months old, 4 to be exact. Just when we were starting to make progress on her last one ( sprained fetlock joint) She got out with the herd (my fault) and sliced a deep V in her pastern needing about 16 stitches last night. Incidentally, the same leg she put through a fence 3 months ago which got patched up- and not prettily either, since it was down to the bone. Her left rear leg looks like it's been through a meat grinder at this point. This filly was my first attempt at breeding and now my husband wants me to get rid of her, and I can't say I blame him. We also live in a rural area so for the first time in my life I'm being supported by someone and totally helpless but for him to pay the vet bills. I also feel like she will be permanently marred by all of these injuries (although neither cut involved any tendons or joints, thank God) I BADLY need some support from you fellow board members- maybe I am not alone in all of this as I feel at the moment. PLEASE help

[seramisu]

Your post just breaks my heart. Don't let your husband talk you into getting rid of her! She is your first homebred, and if you love her she is worth every vet bill. Sure, she is accident-prone, but look on the bright side - none have compromised her future soundness. She'll get through this phase. They all do, eventually.

My filly was such a walking disaster I started calling her Suicide Girl. I didn't breed her myself, I bought her at 2, but she was my dream horse and I was determined to keep her together! Within 6 months of buying her, she had:
Injured her LH in pasture, required stitches and 3 weeks layup
Pierced her nose (on a bucket maybe?), required stitches
Big wound above her eye, needed the vet to flush and prescribe antibiotics
Repeated the pasture injury on her RH, except this time severing both her deep and superficial flexor tendons.

She was trying my patience, and I was really close to putting her down with that last injury. Three months in a cast, a year of rehab, and still a very slim chance she'd ever be sound. I didn't put her down, though, we worked through it, and she hasn't attempted suicide since.

Like your filly, she looks like she's been through war. Large lump/scar on her LH, small scar above R eye, notch in R nostril, and large, thickened scar tissue on her RH where her tendon should be. BUT she is still the most beautiful horse I have ever seen. By leaps and bounds. Because although I didn't breed her, I feel like I still somehow created her - *I* was the one who handwalked and bandaged and coldhosed and held for the vet and taught her manners when she was stallbound and leaping out of her skin. She is 4 now, impeccably behaved, and just started under saddle. Slightly unsound, and always will be. But absolutely worth every dollar and every hour. I have never been so proud of anything in my life.

Hang in there, she'll grow out of it. And when she's grown up and doing well, you will know that it's because of your patience and hard work that she made it to a happy, well-adjusted young adulthood. I promise you that all your current frustration and worry is worth it for that future feeling of pride.

[springer]

Thank you Seramisu
Your note made me cry. What a beautiful story. You have brightened up an otherwise very gloomy day. I'm sending you a PM in case you don't read this
Barb

[gortmore]

Do what is right for you. I had one that was forever sticking things where they did not belong, getting really sick etc. My vet told me the best thing ever, and so far it appears to be correct as he is now 7 yrs... "By the time he gets older he will be really smart as he as already figured out what he can't do". So just think of it that way. By the time she is older she will no longer be doing any of these stupid things as she will have figured out that she gets hurts. Hang in there. Our last major injury was 3 years ago (now I just hope that I did not tempt fate).

[Rienzi]

I thank God that I have never had an accident-prone horse!
Some young horses are like some kids -- everybody knows (or was) that kid that kept hurting himself. She's in an awkward stage right now and not quite in control of her body.

If she's still well-behaved after all she's been through she must have a really good mind.

Now that you know she's like this, you will have to be doubly vigilant. Always be on the look-out for something she could hurt herself on. Jagged boards. Loose fencing, sagging wires, holes in the pasture (ie from woodchucks), gate latches not pushed back all the way. Everything you see, think "Now how could she get in trouble with that?" I wouldn't recommend leaving her halter on either! She will probably catch her hind foot in it from scratching her head, or get it caught on something.

Hang in there!

PS Is there any way you can make a few bucks from home? If you are familiar with the internet, maybe you could sell a few things on ebay or a similar site. Sell some clutter (if you have as much clutter as I do, your hubby will be happy to see some stuff go) or maybe sell something you can make with a skill you have.

[YankeeLawyer]

Some horses seem to be more accident-prone than others, but it may go a long way to remember that foals are like toddlers: they are very curious, very clueless, and if there is one thing they should not touch within 15 acres, they will find it and get into it in a NY minute. So it is really important to essentially foal-proof the farm, if you have not done so already. Make sure the fencing is safe, turnout buddies are appropriate, things aren't left lying around on the ground, etc. Then you have a fighting chance, but no guarantees that despite all that WeeCuriousOne won't get into a pickle.

[YankeeLawyer]

If you are familiar with the internet, maybe you could sell a few things on ebay or a similar site. Sell some clutter (if you have as much clutter as I do, your hubby will be happy to see some stuff go)

Or sell some of hubby's clutter (just kidding).

[Sunny's Mom]

Don't give up! She will be ok!

[JB]

I didn't breed mine either, but I did buy him at 6 months. He's had stitches in his LH, stitches in his cheek, tore the RH flexor tendon sheath, severed a RH extensor tendon, tore the RH fetlock joint capsule, ruptured his RH peronius tertius tendon, and he keeps on tickin' :eek: Those RH injuries were ALL separate accidents :eek::no::mad: The leg isn't the most attractive thing - permanently swollen fetlock, lumpy hairless scar on the front of the cannon bone.

But I tell you what, I have LEARNED from this horse. All sorts of things - some I wish I hadn't had to learn, many I am glad I have.

[springer]

I didn't breed mine either, but I did buy him at 6 months. He's had stitches in his LH, stitches in his cheek, tore the RH flexor tendon sheath, severed a RH extensor tendon, tore the RH fetlock joint capsule, ruptured his RH peronius tertius tendon, and he keeps on tickin' :eek: Those RH injuries were ALL separate accidents :eek::no::mad: The leg isn't the most attractive thing - permanently swollen fetlock, lumpy hairless scar on the front of the cannon bone.

But I tell you what, I have LEARNED from this horse. All sorts of things - some I wish I hadn't had to learn, many I am glad I have.

Oh my God JB!!!!!!!!!! Is he sound now? How old is he now? Bless you!
Barb

[YankeeLawyer]

As an aside, I noticed the OP is in Montana. I am completely jealous; I have always wanted to go there. It looks so pretty in photos and in movies.

[Equilibrium]

I have one of those. If something will go awry it will be with her. So yes I have learned valuable lessons in searching out anything that could cause her harm. And really some of the things you say to yourself, really, is this filly doomed or what. I remember coming in late one evening from the barn after spending a long time rubbing over this filly and just enjoying being with her. My husband met me on the way back in as he was concerned I'd been hurt and that's why I wasn't in already. I told him I was spending time with Abba. He says, all that time. I said, well I get the impression my time is limited with her so I'm getting quality time now. He says, I thought you weren't going to sell her and I said, no, but I'm inclined to believe she will kill herself at some stage.

Luckily, all the stars seem to be going well for her lately. She's actually nice to be around and a very good citizen. Her last foray with danger occured about 2 months ago. I guess she got fet up with her gelding brother and decided it would be better to jump out of the field and come back to the barn. Well the sailing over the high hedge with ditch on the other side went fine. She started cantering up the lane back to the barn very easily. It was at this stage that I called her name to let her know we were here. She takes that as a cue to turn around at the canter to greet us. Woops, wet driveway, splat down she goes. Lovely road rash, cuts, and a lovely hematoma. At 2 1/2 months of age she ended up with a head injury at some stage when her and mom were in for the night. Could only walk in circles, kept trying to flip, and acted as if she couldn't see. When we were waiting for the vet, she layed down and stayed with her head in my lap until our vet, who was on another emergencey, could get there. 3 weeks stall rest, a host of tests, and drugs, and she seemed absolutely fine. Don't worry I've been looking for anything for the last 2 years that would tell me she has neuro problems.

There have been other little things over the years that always have me questioning how it always happens to her, but it all seems to give her a better understanding of the world! So, yeah, you're not alone!

Terri

[Signature]

I had a colt like this - just seemed to have no self-regard or preservation when it came to even normal activities (would walk through a gate and hang his hip on the post, duh!!!)! He had staples in his forehead due to gash, a bone sequestrum surgery at 18 months due to a huge gash thanks to god-knows-what (could find nothing suspicious looking in the empty field!), slice on the shoulder that required stitches, and popped a huge splint at 2, just out in the field! I wondered how people ever get their horses to full-grown without putting them in bubble-wrap. Luckily as he got older, he got better, and the injuries stopped, thank god (knocking on wood). I think it will get better if you hang in there!!!!

[NovDressageRdr]

I don't an accident prone filly I have an accident prone mare.

Lets see got her 2 years ago:
First injury: Attempt to be a show jumper (or eventer) jumped over the manure spreader sliced all meat off her right hind down to the bone. That was 3 months of layup.
Second Injury: Bowed tendon right hind, 3 months lay up
Third injury: Abscess in left front (actually multiple abscesses) 3 months lay up
Fourth injury: Tagged by gelding bites along her back, pulled muscle in her back and strained fetlock left hind all from galloping away from an 18.2 Hanoverian. 2 months lay up
Fifth injury: Fractured right front radial bone 8 weeks lay up
Sixth injury: 3 weeks into fracture injury she put her foot through her cribbing muzzle flipped and got cast. That was 5 weeks lay up, broken tail bone, colic, multiple lacerations.

Out of my 27 months of owning her I have only been able to work and ride for 13 months give or take a few days.

[JB]

Oh my God JB!!!!!!!!!! Is he sound now? How old is he now? Bless you!
Barb

LOL!!! Yes, believe it or not, he's sound! You'd never know he has a "bum" RH. He's 10 now. One day we'll make it out of the baby greens ;)

And, that doesn't include last month's muscle tweak/pull somewhere in his hind end :rolleyes: God love him :D

[okggo]

I feel your pain on the accident prone. I had a mare who ended up with two deep punctures, a fractured hock, a shattered coffin bone, canker/abcesses from he!! all on different occasions. She was purchased to be my show horse and I rode her a grand total of two dozen times, MAYBE. I ended up having her put down b/c she didn't have a good leg to stand on, literally.

Hopefully your baby is getting this all out of her system now so she will be injury free the rest of her life :) Wishful thinking for you! I keep saying I'm going to develop a horse-bubble wrap system for the accident prone guys. But on a positive note, a filly who grew up with my colt had stitches 4 times in the course of 5/6 months. She ripped off an eyelid and sliced her chest WIDE open as well (ironically her mom was missing an eyelid as well). They named her "Stitch" fittingly. Once she got through all that, she has been injury free for 2 1/2 years now!

Good luck with your litte one!!

[RheinlandPfalzSaar]

Nothing to add, just hugs and good luck with your filly! Hang in there with her! Just tell your DH how much it means to you and maybe you could work part time or do something to help offset any bills? Best of luck to you and your filly, I am sure she is lovely.

[JB]

I feel your pain on the accident prone. I had a mare who ended up with two deep punctures, a fractured hock, a shattered coffin bone, canker/abcesses from he!! all on different occasions. She was purchased to be my show horse and I rode her a grand total of two dozen times, MAYBE. I ended up having her put down b/c she didn't have a good leg to stand on, literally.

I remember your mare and the he!! you went through with her :eek::no: Did she end up having a foal for you who is now an adult horsie?