Riley - Quarter Horse
- morethanpethk
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 23
HIGHLIGHTS
Foaled (unknown) - Died in 2008
The Incident: 2004
The Injury: The left hind leg suffered a severe injury. Scar tissue had formed, causing excessive tendon contraction, ultimately leading to dislocation of the ball of the leg.
The Leading Surgeon: Dr. Ted Vlahos
The Outcome: A failure: Ripley underwent amputation in 2008 and was fitted with a prosthesis. A year later, due to multiple complications, she was ultimately euthanised.
THE INCIDENT - 2004
Ripley got a severe cut on her left hind leg in accident. Scar tissue formed causing her tendons to contract to such an extent that her fetlock was pulled out of place. She would have to be put down in this situation, then was rescued by Best Friends Animal Society in 2004.
THE SAVING EFFORT - led by Dr. Ted Vlahos
Initially veterinarian Dr. Tara Timpson inserted a metal plate into her leg to fuse the fetlock and straighten the leg, the plate helped Riley lead a decent life for a few year.
Despite the best treatment, the plate became contaminated and an infection developed around it, causing the bone to deteriorate. Removing the plate and putting in a new one wasn’t flexible as it would entail removing bone that had grown around the plate, which would have destabilized the leg even more. The team didn’t give up, they were determined not to put the horse down in this situation.
Dr. Timpson sought the expertise from Dr Vlahos, who had successfully fitted horse amputees with artificial legs. The team also researched the procedure and consulted with other surgeons and veterinarians to make sure it was a good option for Riley. They found out that 70% of the horses fitted with artificial legs go on to lead full, mobile lives.
Dr. Vlahos came to meet if Riley would be a good candidate for the procedure, she was further given a chance because of his calm temperament and her strong right hind leg would be bearing much of her weight on that leg until she adjusted to the prosthesis.
In May 2008, Riley was transported to Dr. Vlahos’s clinic. Once arrived, she was arranged to spend some time in the sling, hoisted in the air, so she may get used to being in it prior to surgery. Riley responded calmly with it. After a week, Dr. Vlahos amputated Riley’s left hind leg at mid-cannon bone (just below her knee), then fitted with a temperate prosthesis. It took about a month of recovery.
When the swelling in her stump healed, a second prosthesis was fitted, padded with foam and sculpted to meld with the stump. Once Riley was accustomed to the prosthetic leg, she resumed full mobility, able to stand up, lie down, walk and even run.
During her post-op rehabilitation, she was calm enough being hoisted in a sling in a good deal of time. In her case, as adjusted well to her titanium prosthetic leg as her right rear leg was strong enough.
When Riley returned to Best Friends, she was eating great, grazing, trotting and flirting on the pasture. Dr. Timpson was taking care of Riley everyday.
THE OUTCOME
A year later, Ripley had multiple complications, her condition declined significantly. With injection, her caregivers were with her passing peacefully.
Source: Best Friends Animal Society
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