Nikki
Nikki was rescued from entering the slaughter pipeline in April 2026. She moved very stiffly in pain all over, not just localized to a specific and obvious injury or trauma.
Her arthritis was clearly advanced causing disability with movement. Great over use during her lifetime and various strains or injury are likely the root of the sad state she was living in.
Part of the veterinary evaluation included Xrays. All three carpal joints show severe bony remodeling and enthesophyte formation, most prominently seen on the lateral view with additive bone seen on dorsal aspects. The middle carpal joint shows incomplete bridging on proximal and distal aspects. Minimal joint space narrowing visualized, however chronic osteoarthritic (OA) changes are present, likely from a long term inflammatory condition.
Nikki is a sorrel pinto mare with poor quality of life (QOL) issues. Nikki ambulates at the walk slowly, with a restricted, shortened stride. The right carpus is swollen, with palpable and elicitable crepitus during gentle flexion, with ROM decreased about 25% and pain at deep flexion. There is a moderate wound over the lateral gaskin of the RH leg with yellow mucopurulent exudate.
Due to the level of acute/chronic pain and disability this poor mare was living in, she was humanely euthanized as there were no possibilities for successful rehabilitation or quality of life. Another tragic story for a good horse used and broken down by selfish, irresponsible owners during her lifetime.
More About Nikki
- In Assessment
- Chestnut
- Mare
- 2003
- QH
- Colorado