Update on Gunner....

While the injury was bad, we don't think it was as bad as it looked. We cleaned it up, and was able to suture most of it up, leaving on a few small areas open for drainage. Terry doesn't seem to think it will cause any permanent damage, but only time will tell.  Our vet is aware of the injury and has prescribed antibiotics, a tetanus booster, and will be monitoring his progress. He will be on stall rest for a day or two, then he will stay in the small turnout area up by the barn so I can monitor and treat him daily.

Terry and I walked the field, and he was able to see what I didn't....Gunner cut his leg on the hay ring around the round bale of hay. We have used round bales and the hay rings for years and have never had any problems. We even made sure they were the ones for horses and not cattle, made sure all the bolts, etc were tight and not loose to where they could get a foot caught between the sections. Terry found the small blood trail and the very tiny amount of hair and skin on the ring. Apparently, he had laid down by the round bale and probably rolled before getting up, and his back leg went through the top section and then up getting caught, and when he jerked free, it caught his leg and ripped open the two areas. So, I guess we will be taking the hay ring out before turning him back out to pasture.

Here is the picture when Terry was stitching  up the top wound, there was quite a bit of bleeding, but he was able to get it stopped. Notice under Terry's hand,  the lower wound and the flap of skin that is hanging down, and will have to be pulled back up and sutured. The bottom picture is after he is all done and  partially cleaned up. Gunner did great, he hardly ever flinched the whole time, but the lidocaine helped with the pain.   It looks sooooo much better......my camera batteries died on me after these two pictures, but I will post more in a day or two...