Winnie
Winnie was rescued in April 2026 to keep her from entering the slaughter pipeline. This lovely senior mare was clearly used up and broken down before being dumped at some low end auction.
Winnie’s veterinary exam and evaluation included Xrays and other diagnostics.
Xrays views noted mild osteoarthritic (OA) changes on proximal and caudal radiocarpal joints bilaterally, with most changes significant near or articulating with the carpal sesamoid or accessory bone.
While there is evidence of osteoarthritic changes in the knees, her soft tissue swelling may be more likely due to recent falling or being shoved in a feedlot management situation. Due to the level of her neurologic deficits, balance and coordination on four limbs is severely compromised.
Osteoarthritic changes seen on the two-view Xray series for both carpi does not correlate with causation of neurologic symptoms seen on exam.
At a normal walking gait, Winnie displays significant neurologic deficits with forelegs crossing over midline to contralateral side, with deficits more significant in the forelimbs than in the hind limbs.
Hind toes are worn down bilaterally and heels are high. Bilateral carpal swelling, both visual and
palpable, is more soft than hard or bony. There is bilateral nasal discharge, however lungs auscult aerated but fibrotic with increased lung sounds.
There is a mild heave line indicated in the abdominal musculature with nasal discharge, aerated
lungs, fibrosis, all indicating possible reactive airway syndrome or horse asthma or other lung disease.
Body condition score (BCS) is 2.5 out of 9, very thin.
Initial veterinary exam confirmed what was obvious — poor Winnie was very arthritic and also suffering from neurological deficits in both hind and front ends. The extent of declining condition could not be improved or provided with pain management options. Winnie was humanely euthanized after what was years, not just months, of a painful life.
More About Winnie
- In Assessment
- Dun
- Mare
- 1998
- QH Mix
- Colorado