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Blair’s Story
by Shannon Moore
07/03
Link to photos
of Blair's injuries can be found at the bottom of this page along with updates
on Blair and Ripley her Colt.
“Blair” is a very pretty, copper
penny chestnut mare, who arrived here at Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue under some
rather tragic circumstances. On Saturday July 5th, she was being
hauled in an un-safe trailer to a new location. Somehow, holes in the floor of
the trailer were “over-looked” by the transporter, and Blair managed to get a
hoof through the floor boards, having her hind leg dragged along the road for an
un-known number of miles. Fortunately for Blair, a local policeman on duty had
stopped the driver of the truck and trailer, and Blair was able to escape (yes,
she broke out of the trailer!). Dr. Tanya Hatchett of Clover Creek
Animal Health, was called to the scene to assess the damage that had been done
to Blair's hind leg from being dragged down the road. The mare’s right hind
suffered comparatively minor damage- with a “skinned” area on her pastern joint.
 Her
left hind however, was not so lucky. The front of her pastern had been dragged
along the surface of the road. This dragging abraded away the front of her
pastern joint- quite literally “burning” away the lowest end of her cannon bone,
and the highest end of her long pastern bone (aka: the P-1). This abrasion left
Blair with a “hole” in the front of her joint about the size of a tennis ball,
with no stability left in the joint itself.
Had Blair put her hoof down through
the hole allowing her sole (bottom of her hoof) to drag along the road, she
would have had no lower limb left. This would have meant certain euthanasia to
end her suffering.
Dr. Hatchett called the Rescue as
she left the scene of the incident, stating that the mare’s chances for recovery
were slim. But there was something about this little mare that asked for that
second chance. Arrangements were made, and Blair arrived here at RVHR on the
evening of July 7th. She was thirsty, very thin, scared, and in a
large amount of pain from both of her hind legs. Treatment began that evening
with the administration of antibiotics, and the gradual cooling off of her body.
Not only was she in pain and dealing with an easily preventable grievous injury,
she is about 250 to 300 pounds underweight as well.
On the first bandage change and
cold hosing, the full extent of her injuries became apparent to us. The damage
that had been done was shocking to us all, and an amazing lesson in living,
working anatomy. Knowing that this deeply traumatic injury is almost unbearably
painful, (think of a broken bone with the ends grinding together, and add in
some nerve endings being exposed, and you might have an idea of how painful this
is for her,) Blair has yet to offer much resistance to having her wounds
treated. Dr. Hatchett was truly amazed at her progress on her first visit with
her here at RVHR on her visit she took x-ray's and form a splint to support the
remainder of Blair’s joint. Blair is regenerating flesh to cover the exposed
bones at a very swift rate. Provided we can prevent any infection from invading
the tissue and bone, Blair may stand a good chance for recovery. Blair is
a tough mare, and appears highly motivated to heal and remain with us for her
rehabilitation!
Time will tell how Blair’s recovery
will go. At the time of this writing, her prognosis is guarded, but looking
better. She is in a splint, on an intensive treatment program, and antibiotic
therapy. Her will to live is clearly evident! (As is her apatite!)
The purpose of sharing this story
with all of you is not to seek sympathy, but hopefully to raise the awareness
once again of horse owners as they trailer their animals during this busy horse
show season. This incident could have been easily prevented by performing proper
trailer maintenance, and by doing a thorough check on the condition of the
floor. Next time you need to move your horse, please take an extra ten minutes
to test the soundness of the floor, your brakes, as well as checking your
lights! The old saying of, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has
never been so true. Had this been performed, Blair would not be facing this much
pain now, nor would her survival during the next 3 to 4 months have been in such
serious doubt.
Remember, check your trailer well
several times a season. Have a listing of vets and their phone numbers with you
as you travel. Don’t hesitate to call the police for further assistance. Carry
on hand some basic medical supplies- vet wrap, several sizes of gauze pads,
extra stall bandages and quilts, duct tape, some sterile saline solution, sharp
knife or scissors, and an extra halter and lead rope. A fire extinguisher is a
good idea as well. (Asking at your local fire department will get you all the
information you may need on choosing the right extinguisher to carry in your
rig, as well as how to use it.) While you are at the fire department, you may be
able to get an EMT to give you some tips and hints on how to wrap a limb in a
pressure bandage.
Check back with RVHR for updates on
Blair. Donations will be gratefully accepted of stall bandages, quilts, and polo
wraps to help support her legs. Donations towards her medical expenses would be
most welcome as well. Dr. Hatchett has generously donated her services, but we
need to pay the cost of Blair’s antibiotics, Medical Supplies, feed and hay.
Update - 08/04/03, Blair's leg is
heeling well she is now in a full cast in hopes that the bones in her leg will
fuss together to give her the support that she will need to stand. It is still
unknown if Blair will be in pain once the bones do fuss. At this time we
are hoping for the best for her.
We would like to say Thank you to
and
 
for there donations of products to help Blair in her recovery.
Update - 10/08/03, Blair's leg is
heeling well she is now with no cast. Her wound is almost covered over
with new skin. X-rays will show if the bones have fused together.
As of today she is making progress of putting weight back on her injured leg.
She is doing physical therapy everyday with stretching of her leg. A metal
support cast has been made for Blair to help her support the weight of her body
as she now begins to add weight to her very thin body..
Thanks to all who helped Blair during her
incident this past July RVHR was surprised to find out on 3/1/04 that Blair will
be delivering her foal very soon. We hope with good feeds and supplements
Blair and Foal will be fine.
She has recovered well from her trailer incident
and is now able to hold her weight well on both back legs. Blair at this
time is not on any medications.
Blair 12/15/03 waiting on the
snow....
To Video's of
Blair in Motion Click Here
1/06/03
04-02-04
Blair & Ripley
(To see photo's
of Blair's injuries click here -
The page you are directed to does contain other
graphic abuse photos.)
Blair gave Birth
to Ripley "aka Hurricane Hugh" on April 19th 2004 at 12:45 am. It was a
very exciting event and we have took lots of photos and video clips of the event
for those who did not have the opportunity to be there. Since Ripley's
birth the Board of Directors has placed Blair on Permanent Resident Status here
at RVHR for the rest of her life due to the difficult birth due to her leg
injuries. It is our goal to keep her from ever having to go through
another foaling again.
Ripley's status
is Adopted a wonderful Family who put in their application on Ripley prior to
his birth. This Family asked to adopt Blair's Foal if it had lived and was
accepted at that time. Because of all of the trauma of the trailer
accident which brought Blair to us and the medication that Blair was on when she
first arrived at RVHR and prior to finding out that she was carrying a foal RVHR
and her Vet has expected many problems with the foal. To everyone's
amazement Ripley is a perfect colt with no visible or expected deformities.
Ripley has had a few after birth problems with nursing, colic and has needed a
plasma transfer due the lack of antibodies in his system. But for now his
future looks bright. Blair and Ripley will be leaving us on Friday April
30th to move over to Ripleys new home where his new family can bond with him and
help him grow into the Man he is meant to be. Blair will be fostered at
Ripley's new home until it is time to wean Ripley from her then she will return
to RVHR to live out the rest of her live with the Staff, Members and Volunteers
who have come to love her so much.
Thank you
everyone for all of support and love you have sent for Blair.
10-05-04
Blair is looking good and feeling great after a morning of turn out she spent
the afternoon in the round pen working once again on her ground manners.
11-14-04
Blair in the round pen and they said she never be able to move again.
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Updated Photo 12-7-05
Blair and her
buddy Cisco
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