Clue
5-year-old
Quarter Horse Mare
Clue injured her left front leg when kicked by another horse in the
field, June 2007. It was believed her left front leg had a fractured
ulna, however, when the swelling subsided no fracture was evident.
Nerve damage required splinting of the leg and stall rest.
Consequently, Clue developed supporting-limb laminitis in her right
front foot. Acutely painful, Clue rotated and sunk on her weight
bearing right front foot and was due to be euthanized when her owner
and I connected in August 2007.
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Clue is HOME! After starting Clue back in work on the ground here at Daisy Haven Farm, Inc., we sent her home...sound and ready for her owner Melinda to continue ground work and a regimen designed to get her back under saddle in the next few months. Please read her story below. Video also added of her arrival home at the bottom of the page!
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The following video was compiled by Clue's owner. It gives a good synopsis of Clue's situation up until she arrived at Daisy Haven Farm, Inc. This is her commentary about this video on YouTube:
"As a caveat for anyone watching this video, please be aware
that the opinions expressed in it are not meant to be offensive. We
just had a string of really, really bad luck--I'm not pointing fingers
at any party(ies) for being "responsible." There were a lot of
contributing factors, but one of them is also ME, and my lack of
knowledge going into this situation. I'm never going to just assume
everything to "professionals" and take a step back--I will be more
proactive if, God forbid, I'm in a situation like this in the
future.*** The video really speaks for itself...it is the whole story
of everything from Clue's pasture injury to the laminitis she
developed...and how I was *this close* to putting her down. A big thank
you to Daisy of Daisy Haven Farm for giving us one last shot. I'm
trying hard not to be overly optimistic, but there is still hope for
Clue. Thank you to all of you who have sent your good wishes and best
hopes for her. [music by Staind]
"
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This video was again compiled by Clue's owner, December 24, 2007, 4 months after Clue's arrival at Daisy Haven Farm, Inc. Here are her comments about the video on YouTube:
"This is Clue, my Quarter Horse mare who is in the process of
recovering from compensatory laminitis. Long story short (especially if
you've been following the whole Clue saga), Daisy Bicking of Daisy
Haven Farm is the only professional I spoke to who advised AGAINST
euthanization or some complex surgery that I couldn't possibly afford
(and with limited probability for success). This was Clue's last
chance, and I am so glad I listened! She is a fighter and loves life,
if you can't tell. :) Thank you Daisy for all that you do; Daisy
actually is the one who filmed this for me. It was the best Christmas
present I could ever receive. [music by The Cranberries]
"
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Clue's right front venogram in August 6, 2007. Venogram shows inhibited circulation due to separation of the laminae .
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Clue's right front foot upon arrival at Daisy Haven Farm, Inc. September 4, 2007. Radiograph superimposed over digital picture shows loss of laminar attachment and P3 rotation and sinking (radiograph has been turned to match direction of digital picture). Clue was unwilling to bear full weight on this foot for radiographs or digital pictures.
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Clue's right front with her new trim and EponaShoe, September 4, 2007. Notice Clue is willing to bear weight fully on this foot after corrective trimming and application of EponaShoe.
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Clue's right front foot, new trim and EponaShoe January 19, 2008. This photo shows 5 months of new growth post-EponaShoe application. At this time Clue is showing no lameness at walk, trot, canter....gallop, buck, spin...see video above for Clue's latest antics!
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The following video and commentary was compiled by Clue's owner regarding her homecoming:
"After getting injured on June 20, 2007 from a kick in the
pasture, one bad diagnosis by a local vet, improper treatment of the
injury at a local equine hospital, and lack of support from a recovery
facility, Clue, at the age of 4, developed compensatory laminitis.
Telling her story got me blacklisted from the barn where she was
previously boarded in Southern New Jersey (although I did not hold the
barn in any way responsible for the accident--horses, whether you like
it or not, will be horses and will occasionally have a skirmish to
determine dominance). All I've done through this whole disaster is tell
the truth, and I will continue to do so because I want everyone else to
know how to avoid ending up in this situation. Knowledge is the most
effective prevention for laminitis, and it's something I had to gain
the hard way; I'd rather no one else have to walk the same path we did.
[Never, ever be afraid to question the "professionals"--be they vets,
farriers, etc.--because no one person has all of the answers. If a
nagging little voice in your head tells you something isn't right,
listen to it! Get other opinions! This whole mess started with, believe
it or not, a pinched nerve--which only required a little stall rest!]
The news worsened by August when radiographs revealed serious sinking
and rotation of the coffin bone in her right front; the damage had been
done, and at that point, euthanization appeared to be the only option.
Farriers and veterinarians alike saw little hope. Through a chance
discussion with Duncan's previous owner, I was pointed to Daisy Bicking
of Daisy Haven Farm (www.daisyhavenfarm.com). Her hard work, attention
to detail, and up-to-the-minute laminitis education and implementation
of treatment methods have helped Clue come back literally from the
brink of death. Her desire to live and positive attitude have never
faltered. Finally, a year after this whole ordeal started, she's come
home to New Jersey. [music by Ozzy Osbourne]"
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