Two horses died as the result of serious injuries at this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 24-27, 2008.
Frodo Baggins, ridden by Laine Ashker of the U.S., was euthanized on April 26th, following an accident at fence five on the cross-country course in which the 12-year-old Thoroughbred hit the obstacle, somersaulted and landed on his rider.
Frodo Baggins was examined by a team of veterinarians on-site and given supportive medications for shock and pain. Once he was stabilized, the horse was sedated and transferred to a nearby clinic where further tests revealed that he had sustained a fracture to the base of his skull. At this point, his owners opted to have him euthanized.
Ashker was also seriously injured and remains in hospital at this time with a broken jaw, ribs, clavicle and collapsed lungs. She is progressing normally and is in stable condition.
On April 27th, The Quiet Man, a 12-year-old Irish gelding was also injured on the cross-country course.
Ridden by Sarah Hansel of the U.S., The Quiet Man fell at fence 13, fracturing his distal scapula and the shoulder joint of his right front leg. He was transferred for medical evaluation where it was discovered that his prognosis for recovery was poor and veterinarians and his owners agreed euthanasia was the most human option.
Hansel, luckily, escaped injury.
See the July issue of Horse Sport for a full report on the event.
More from Horse Sport:
