Bet On A Star - American Quarter Horse

https://www.hopesdreamsandhorses.org/page81

HIGHLIGHTS

• Foaled April 8, 2014

• The Incident: September 2017 (at 3yo) - US

• The Incident: Hurricane Irma struck Florida in 2017, destroyed the barns where Bet On A Star was living. The horse was trapped in contaminated floodwaters for days. A small wound on his ankle became infected with a deadly, waterborne fungal disease called Pythium.

• The Leading Surgeon: Dr. Ted Vlahos

• The Outcome: A Success - Bet On A Star underwent amputation surgery in 2017 and has worn a prosthetic leg ever since. He has become a therapy horse at the "Hopes, Dreams and Horses" animal rescue center.

ABOUT THE HORSE

Bet On A Star comes from a champion bloodline and is well known by his barn name "Lucky 81" signifying the 81st horse born under his father.  The horse was in training as a champion stallion of the cutting horse for the NCHA Futurity.

THE INCIDENT – September 2017

In August 2017, hurricane Irma devastated his barn in Florida leaving him stranded in water for days. The 3yo Bet On A Star sustained a severe cut on his ankle, the wound became infected with Pythiosis, a highly aggressive, life-threatening waterborne fungal disease. 

His plan for life changed. Euthanasia was recommended at first, but every veterinarian and surgeon saw his energy of love. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself. Luckily, a NGO’ Hopes Dreams and Horses’ stepped to help ‘81’, took him in as a foster and gave e him the medical care that he needed.

THE SAVING EFFORT – led by Dr. Ted Vlahos

Dr. Haynes Stevens, Equine Services in Wellington, took on this case, and he connected Dr. Vlahos, the leading world expert on equine limb surgery. They worked together to prepare 81 for a second chance of life. With his calm temperament, he is a perfect candidate for unusual procedure of surgery.

His coronary band was infected and missed, the disease forced the doctors to amputate 81’s left hind foot just above his hoof, It was possible for his hoof to grow back after a year. After three debridement surgeries and daily fresh bandages, 81 was pronounced free of Pythiosis in December.

But during healing process, 81 continued to produce an excess amount of new tissue “proud flesh”. A fourth surgery took place to have it removed. Then, complications from the second cast resulted in the amputation at his fetlock join as it lost circulation to the hoof.

Since his infected foot was amputated, a new cast with a temporary built–in prosthetic is required every 2 to 3 weeks. The real prosthetic device is done with the final measurement till the amputated leg completed healed. The prosthetic was made by the Hanger Clinic, assisted by Dr. Vlahos.

It took nearly six months of multiple surgeries and the healing process from the amputation. With his cheerful attitude, he had overcome so much and never complained once in the process. 

Even while recovering, 81 joined the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program of HDH as an Amputee Therapy Horse. He’s helping change the lives of people with his cheerful, funny, loving attitude.

Maintaining three healthy hooves is vital, a patient farrier has to regularly trim his hooves without anaesthesia, and periodically get radiographs to insure the interior structure of the hoof is healthy. He periodically needs a new prosthetic due to the leg changing shape just like humans do. The new prosthetic will incorporate new design for more range of motion in his hock area and proper breakover.

THE OUTCOME

81 is able to run, graze and live like a normal horse by late 2018.  In Hopes, Dreams and Horses, 81 is a popular therapy horse, he is described as a bright shining star. He has strong willpower to overcome physical and emotional trauma.

Source: Hope Dreams & Horses