Background: Distal splint bone fractures, common in racing Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds, are often complicated by secondary suspensory ligament branch (SLB) desmitis. These combined injuries are known to impair post-operative performance, but contemporary data on prognosis is limited. Objective: To evaluate the post-operative performance of horses following distal splint bone fracture ostectomy with concurrent SLB desmitis. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study Methods: Clinical, demographic, and racing data were retrospectively analyzed. Horses with a splint bone fracture and concurrent SLB desmitis underwent standing ostectomy and were followed for 24 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis assessed the time to return to racing. Pre- and post-operative performance was compared within the surgery group and against age-, sex-, and breed-matched controls using mixed-effects models. The effects of SLB lesion grade and adjunctive platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy were also analyzed. Results: Eleven horses (mean age 9 ± 1.6 years) with fractures of the distal 1/3 of the splint bone and concurrent SLB desmitis were included. The mean time to return to racing was 8.5 months (95% CI: 7.5–9.5). 64% (7/11) of horses raced at least three times post-operatively. Surgery group horses raced significantly more than controls over 24 months (mean difference: 2.2 ± 0.4; p < 0.0001). No difference was found between pre- and post-operative performance within the surgery group (p > 0.05). Horses with grade 1 SLB lesions raced more than those with grade 2 or 3 lesions (p < 0.0001) and controls (p = 0.0008). Age and PRP treatment had no significant effect. Main limitations: Relatively small surgery population size (n = 11) and lack of conservatively treated group for comparison Conclusion: Distal splint bone ostectomy with concurrent SLB desmitis had a favorable prognosis in cases of less severe SLB lesions.

Bladder prolapse is a rare condition in mares and may occur as a result of excessive straining during the parturition or in the postpartum period. We report a case of dystocia associated prolapse and incarceration of the small colon through the external urethral opening into a prolapsed urinary bladder. No previous reports of this condition were found. An 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare was presented to The Equine Hospital at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia for evaluation and treatment of dystocia. Prolapse of the urinary bladder was concomitantly diagnosed. Initial assessment deemed replacement of the urinary bladder in the normal position and vaginal delivery not possible. The mare was immediately prepared for caesarean section. The foal was successfully delivered and resuscitated. Detailed assessment of the bladder during the surgery revealed that the small colon had prolapsed through the external urethral opening and was inside the bladder. The urinary bladder was opened. The small colon was replaced into the abdominal cavity; a first surgeon gently replaced the small colon through the external urethral sphincter and a second surgeon retrieved the small colon by gentle traction. The mare recovered uneventfully from general anaesthesia. The mare and the foal were discharged from the hospital seventeen days post-operatively.