Sesamoid Fracture
The sesamoids are two small, delicate bones located at the back of
the fetlock, held in place only by ligaments. These little bones
located just behind the pastern serve as pulleys over which the deep
digital flexor tendons pass. A fracture to the sesamoids usually
involves an injury to the suspensory apparatus. Depending on the
severity of the injury, surgery can be performed to treat the
fracture. See Fractured Leg.
Fractured Leg
A fractured leg requiring the placement of screws in the cannon bone
or pastern will cost from $2,000 to $3,500, depending upon the
complexity of the fracture. In addition, the horse will require four
to eight months of rest and another three to four months of
re-training.
Curb
A hard enlargement on the rear of the cannon bone immediately below
the hock. It begins as an inflammation of the plantar ligament and
the inflammation leads to a thickening of the ligament.
Grabbed Quarter
While running, the horse "grabbed" one of its front hooves with a
rear hoof, tearing skin and tissue. Cost and amount of training time
lost depends on the extent of the injury.
Quarter Crack
Under stress, or if improperly shod, the hard substance of the hoof
(similar to the human fingernail) can crack and become a source of
pain - sometimes including the development of an infection in the
exposed soft tissue underneath. This ailment can be corrected with a
fiberglass or epoxy patch, and shoeing. Cost and amount of training
time lost, if any, depends on the extent of the injury.
Colic
Colic is a general
term used to describe pain in the gastrointestinal tract of a horse.
Colic can happen any time to any horse and has many causes. It is
the number one killer of horses. Treatments vary depending on the
type of colic and its severity. A "simple" colic may cost around
$100 for treatment. More severe or prolonged colics can cost several
hundred dollars to treat. If the colic is severe enough to require
surgery, the cost of treatment can be several thousand dollars.
