For several days after the accident, Gaysha remained out in the pasture with Georgia and Galaxie.  However, it soon became apparent that her hind end was uncomfortable and not getting any better.  So, we brought her in for stall rest and did some energy balancing work on her.  Then one morning, about a week later, she laid down and either couldn’t - or wouldn’t, get back up. 

We now feared that Gaysha’s injuries were probably a lot worse then we had previously thought.  We called Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center and talked to Dr. Carter Judy.  We discussed our options and decided to get her up and bring her in to the clinic.  Lucky for us that day, Cody - the manager of the stable, had a few friends over to do some roping.  It took six of us to get Gaysha up.  She was in pain and afraid to stand on her right hind leg.  We knew it was risky getting her in the trailer and taking her to the clinic, but our other options were even worse.  Once up, Gaysha hobbled slowly to the trailer and courageously walked on. 

We arrived at the clinic and Gaysha was escorted to the examination area.  Dr. Judy gently swayed her hind end and knew immediately that she had a fracture.  Jackie and I both had a chance to feel the slight clicking during the movement.  To determine the severity of the injury he wanted to do a nuclear sintigraphy test.  We left Gaysha there in good hands - not knowing, what the future would hold. 

Dr Judy called that evening and confirmed the worst.  Gaysha had a fractured femur and a probable additional fracture of the pelvis on her right side. He cautioned us that although there was hope of recovery the road would be long with possible set-backs and not to be too optimistic.  He prescribed maximum confinement, pain management and bone building supplements.  She could go home, but only time could help with the healing. 

The incredible team at Rancho Arroyo Grande went right to work preparing a special stall for Gaysha.  They installed an overhead steal cable diagonally across her stall going from hay to water.  Her lead rope was tied to the cable and slid along so that she could eat and drink, but could not lie down.  Extra bedding was added to cushion her feet.   A dirt ramp was fashioned so that she would not have to hop over the threshold (although she would not be leaving this stall for a long while).  Gaysha needed to stay calm and quiet.  Our fear was that she would keep trying to lay down and consequently re-injure the fractures.