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BORN TO RUN |
Weblog: The story of a racehorse
It was going too well . . . our filly suffers a setback
NEVER take anything for granted. That seems to be the golden rule with racehorses. Less than 12 hours after a chance encounter with a vet who had high praise for Born To Run, came some less enticing news from her trainer Hugo Palmer.
"Born To Run has suffered her first tiny setback in her training
career," he said. "The good news is that it is very routine and is
healing well. She has developed what is called a splint. This is in
effect a micro fracture of the splint bone which is just below the
knee. It presents itself as a small bony growth and is a little
painful to touch."
So, thankfully her situation could be a lot worse. But you still kick yourself for being naïve enough to have hoped she would make her racecourse debut without a hitch by May.
As it stands, Born To Runremains sound, ie not limping or showing discomfort while walking, and this week has been "enjoying a quiet spell of walking to allow the splint to recover," according to Palmer.
"Her progress is good and she will resume trotting next week and cantering shortly afterwards. Splints, shins, and swollen joints are all very much par for the course in the early part of a horses career.
"The bone has to ‘learn' to cope with the training regime and by
micro-damage and remodelling it becomes stronger and ready for the rigours of racing. Born To Run is in excellent health and I am looking forward to having her back under a rider next week."
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