The good news is, it’s NOT soft tissue. (Can I get a collective hallelujah?)
The bad news is, I was correct – Henry doesn’t feel right. In fact, we found a fracture. A teeny tiny, little bitty baby fracture that most likely happened about a month ago in turnout when he was playing and kicked the fence. Minor, in the realm of fractures, but it’s likely being exacerbated at the moment by how hard the ground is. He also has one hell of a bone bruise. And he is a huge wuss (official, professional diagnosis).
So far the bone looks good (no signs of displacement, fragments, or dying bone) and it’s already trying to heal. There’s not much to do besides give it time and let it continue healing. Luckily complete rest or stall rest are not required. The vet does want it to stay wrapped though, and he’d like for Henry to keep his current conditioning as much as possible. Unfortunately, the ground is just too hard everywhere at the barn to do that, so guess where he’s going for 30 days?
Yup, back to the spa. Guess he liked it so much he wanted a month long rehab stay instead of a spa day trip. 30 days of tons of hand walking, some supervised turnout (sorry kid, no running), wrapping, and aquatred. Then we X-ray again to make sure the bone still looks good and everything is healing appropriately, and if it is, he can start being ridden lightly on soft ground. Total estimated time til a fixed pony: approximately 8 weeks. Worst case scenario the bone starts to die and we have to go in and remove some. Luckily that doesn’t look likely at the moment (my vet is sending the rads to a surgeon at A&M to confirm that opinion) but it’s a small possibility if things go awry. As of right now the bone looks healthy and shows some signs of healing.
This definitely 100% sucks and it definitely means our show season is over. However, I’m so glad that it’s something fairly minor with an excellent prognosis. Once it’s healed, it’s over and done with, and should never be a problem again. I’ll take this over soft tissue or something chronic any day of the week.
So… I guess I’ll have lots of free time on my hands for the next couple months. Lord help us all.
breedrideevent.com 
Oh, my friend the sequestrum. I hope to god all that bone stays healthy and happy because surgery is scary.
I’m sorry to hear that the goofball hurt himself, but I’m glad you have the resources to keep him fit and worked safely!
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yeah I don’t like that word, it should stay away.
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in the grand scheme of things…. sounds more good than bad. still tho, i’m really sorry. good for you for recognizing the issue before anything happened to make it more serious. and excellent that you have such a fantastic facility nearby to help him rehab and heal!
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It could definitely be worse. Missing the fall season sucks, especially since we were about to move up, but in the grand scheme of things its just a few shows. There will be more.
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im REALLY happy its not soft tissue related. he is being a bit of a weeny but luckily for him youre a good sport and are sending him to horse rehab heaven. lucky little shit. fingers crossed for uncomplicated recovery.
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also i cant find the fracture. did the vet use a magnifying glass?? is it at the top left of the bone??
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I know where it is and I can’t find it on my picture-of-a-picture. I could barely see it on the actual screen in real life.
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That makes me feel better- I kept looking too and I couldn’t find it!
Keeping his conditioning up means you’re going to get back to the grind that much faster. Love that you have the aquatread to keep him going. Have fun at the Spa, Henry!
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Yeah, the vet really wants him to stay fit and keep the blood flowing. Just… without much impact.
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Sounds like a great opportunity to buy all the things.
Or is rehab too expensive for that?
Not a great diagnosis, but glad you found something and OMG HOORAY it’s not soft tissue.
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hahahahaha yeah no rehab is more expensive than showing and lessons would have been, so NOPE.
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Wishing him a full & speedy recovery. Jammy dodger getting a 30 day stay at the spa.
Hoping all goes well with the recovery plan, but vet prognosis sounds good so keeping everything crossed for you guys
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Thanks!
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I’ll echo my comment from yesterday. He’s lucky to have you as a mom! Although it’s definitely not ideal, at least you know what you felt was real, and you have answers now!
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Yeah, after some of the horrible scenarios I had built up in my head, this seems not so bad.
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Henny… glad it wasn’t soft tissue. I wish I could go for a month long spa staycation though…
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Glad there is a good prognosis for recovery. I hope Henny enjoys his spa days and behaves himself!
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Good on ya for knowing something wasn’t quite right and sticking to it until you found it! 8 weeks will go by fast, and he’ll be nice and fit after his 30 day spa vacation. 🙂
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I feel like if they’re trying to tell us something isnt right, we should probably listen!
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What a clever, secret way for Henny to have gone and injured himself. He’s such a clever Henny.
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He thinks so!
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Bummer about the end of the season, but it sounds like a great plan for recovery is already in motion! Sending all the good vibes your way!
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Great news on not being soft tissue. I feel like if that news has to happen it should only be to one of us at a time and that current person is ME after bad news Monday night at the vet (my endurance mare’s suspensory has a lesion. JOY.). So YAY for an answer and a plan of action and quick resolve for y’all!
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I saw yours yesterday. I couldn’t even respond because I was too busy freaking out that I was going to get exactly the same diagnosis. I’m so sorry!
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I was freaking out FOR you! I obsessively checked your instagram most of the day waiting for an update. I was SO RELIEVED to see that it was a fracture. Horses, man.
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“Good news, its a fracture!” yeah… horses…
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late to game but glad you figured it all out and it is fixable (UNLIKE MY STUPID WORK COMPUTER THIS AM ARGHH 2 hours of updates later! LOL). Can’t wait to hear about Henry’s spa month! 🙂 HEE……
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Poop. Well, I’m glad the prognosis is a good one. Also, it’s awesome that you have that spa accessible to you! I wish I’d had something like that the million times I’ve had one on lay-up. Wish I could send you a pony for a couple months. Unfortunately, mine all limp too. (Save the yellow one, but he lives with trainer.)
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I’m so glad that it turned out to be something manageable and not too terrible! And how ironic you took him for a spa day at the rehab place just to check it out? Glad that you have a good plan in place and what a good horse mom for listening to what he was trying to tell you. And, from experience, I’d much rather have a bone injury than soft tissue. Once it’s healed, it’s healed. Heal quickly Henny!
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Sorry that he is going to be down and out for a while, but at least it is something that you can manage!
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So I have two reactions–first, I’m really sorry that Henny is hurt & your season is over! Second, I can’t recall the last time I was relieved to hear about a fracture! I realize that it’s still a big deal, but I was so worried about you & your horse & how far you have come together just to crash & burn over a soft tissue issue, that I feel strangely relieved! I know I’m weird, this is why I fit in on this blog;) Good job looking out for your horse!!!
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Ugh I’m so sorry Henny is sidelined for the rest of the season! But, as you said, It could definitely be worse and a diagnosis and a game plan ALWAYS helps calm the crazy! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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Yay!!! So happy to hear! Can’t wait to hear about his rehab… and what new hobby you pick up… lol
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So… You’re going to invest in some bubble wrap for Henny? I’m glad it’s a minor injury in comparison to what it could’ve been (and what you were probably imagining)! Really glad you have the resources to send him to a spa for thirty days, Henry is a very lucky boy.
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Sending bubble wrap.
Seriously though sorry for the bad news but also happy that it has such a good prognosis.
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Want to come to Australia and ride Magnus? Eventing season’s just getting started over here. And I reckon he’d feel pretty familiar! Good to know it’s something which can be fixed!
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A month in Australia for me while Henry spends a month in rehab seems fair.
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Totally fair!
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Really sorry to hear this, but glad that it’s nothing too serious! Hoping it’s as seamless a recovery as possible!
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I’m so glad you got to the bottom of it, but I am so sorry your pocketbook (and Henry) have to go to the spa for the next few weeks.
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