Hobo
Hobo
STATUS: ADOPTED
BREED: Thoroughbred
AGE: Born 2006
GENDER: Gelding
TRAINING: Halter broke, easy to handle - currently being trained under saddle
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DECEMBER 2008 Hobo (a/k/a Face A Prince) fractured a sesamoid bone in his rear pastern while in training at a track in Illinois. The vet there advised a 6 month layup from racing and his owner decided to give him away. That was in September and since then he has made his roundabout way through Louisiana to Oklahoma before being brought to our rescue. At some point during this time, he was pastured with some broodmares and unfortunately, they ran him through a barbed wire fence. He arrived at the rescue lame with an infected pastern on his left front due to a bone deep, jagged laceration where the barb wire had wrapped around his hoof. His previous owner didn't have the facilities to treat and dress the wound properly and relinquished him to the rescue. We immediately gave him antibiotics and cleaned out the manure, debris and dead flesh as best we could and called the vet out to examine and treat him. The vet sedated him, thoroughly flushed out the deep, gaping cut and gave him a shot of banamine for the pain. We were instructed to continue the daily oral antibiotics and change the dressing regularly, clean the wound and apply a topical antibiotic as well. Hobo is also being given bute to help with the pain. The cut is located in an area that flexes when he walks and complicates the healing process. We are using pressure wraps and doing the best we can with thick cotton padding to keep movement of the joint to a minimum. The vet will re-examine his foot in two weeks to evaluate his progress and determine if it will require a cast to immobilize the joint.
If you would like to see pictures of Hobo's progress - click here [Warning: graphic photos]
Update: Hobo is a wonderful patient and stands quietly for his dressing changes. He is putting more weight on his foot and it appears to be healing although the cut is not filled in yet. He is a calm, very sweet boy. He stood patiently while we removed the multitude of burrs from his thick, beautiful tail. Our vet came out to do a progress exam and feels that he doesn't need a cast at this point. The wound is healing and we will just need to continue to keep it wrapped and cleaned. We are cutting back on the bute, but will continue the antibiotics for another week or so. Hobo has been confined to his stall for three weeks now and has to content himself with just poking his head out through the top dutch door during the day. We have set up a small corral outside his stall and within the next few days he will be able to walk out and enjoy some limited turnout.
FEBRUARY 2009 Our vet came out and did a follow up on Hobo. He is very pleased with Hobo's progress and has given the OK to leave off the bandages and turn Hobo out with a companion in a paddock adjacent to the barn. We will continue to clean the outside of the cut and apply antibacterial spray to deter any infections. Our vet advised that the wound would probably show signs of bleeding, but that is normal and we shouldn't be alarmed.
APRIL 2009 Hobo has had a small, abnormal growth of hoof coming from an area damaged by the wire, which our vet has told us might occur due to the cut penetrating Hobo's coronet band above his hoof. Our farrier came out and during his trim, he removed the extra growth. Hobo behaved well for his trim, but did jump around a bit while the farrier was working on his injured foot and removing the growth. His foot looks great and the scar, although obvious, is just a memory of his once gaping injury.
AUGUST 2009 Hobo's hoof has completely grown out and he is now available for adoption. Our vet has recommended that Hobo should be shod on his previously injured foot if he is to be ridden heavily in his new home as a preventative measure.
FEBRUARY 2010 We have sent Hobo to a professional to be trained under saddle as a riding horse. We will post updates as his training progresses.
MARCH 2010 Hobo has been in training for two weeks now and is doing great. He is progressing well and is a "big gentle dog" according to the trainer and will make a good trail horse.
MARCH UPDATE: Hobo has found his perfect new home! He and his adopter are a great match and Hobo will continue with his training to work cattle and trail ride in his new life.