Racing career of Weekend Hussler threatened by injury
June 24th 2009 06:58
Reigning Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler has been diagnosed with a rare injury (only 6 reported cases in Australia) that may herald the premature end to his career.
(photo: Vince Caligiuri The Age)
When running in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in the Autumn the champion galloper jumped a shadow and wrenched his off fore fetlock.
Weekend Hussler was then spelled and it was expected that rest would be the only provision required for cure. But come the early preparation for this Spring it was discovered that he was still struggling with the same injury and an arthroscopic operation was then advised.
It was during this that vets discovered that Weekend Hussler was suffering from residual inflammation as result of leaking synovial fluid.
"It is a one-off thing and we are still working out which is the best way to treat it. He is definitely out for the spring. He might just need time."
"We gave him time off and he looks great but, unfortunately, he has not recovered. We have just got to get the horse nice and sound and then work out where we go from there,” - trainer Ross McDonald. (as reported on the Racing Victoria website)
"You can only diagnose the problem via an arthroscope because nothing shows up on the x-rays, and hence radiographs after his poor performance on 14 February didn’t show anything."
“Once he hadn’t responded to the normal treatment regimes for a wrenched joint as we diagnosed initially we spelled him, but it (the injury) didn’t improve out in the paddock, hence he was brought back into the stables and the arthroscope was put in."
“We flushed it out and we have given him quarterzone steroids postoperatively and it hasn’t responded so far.”
“I’ve contacted different vets around the world and there’s nothing we haven't done so far that would normally help the condition so we’re now just investigating the possibility of further treatments rather than just rest."
“There are reported treatments that involve the injection of a radioactive isotope into the joint to destroy the synovial membrane which they do to humans with the same condition and they have a good response to it."
“If we decide to go down the path of the radioactive isotope it would have to be flown over from France.” - Weekend Hussler's Vet, Rob McInnes. (as reported on the Racing Victoria website)
The recent stellar success of Scenic Blast in Australia and England sit in stark contrast to the sorry situation that has befallen Weekend Hussler. Four times Weekend Hussler met Scenic Blast, and except for his very unlucky 4th behind him in this year’s Lightning Stakes (Tightened for room. Struck interference near 400m. Lost a plate) Weekend Hussler has easily defeated him on each occasion.
We can only wonder what might have been had not Weekend Hussler been redesigned in the Spring of 2008 into a stayer instead of a champion sprinter/miler. His last start in the Spring of 2008 was a 12th place finish in the Caulfield Cup - pulling up lame after the race.
To enlighten us all more on the injury I have turned to Horses and Horse Information and an article from this resource from the Spring of 1997:
Synovial fluid is made of large molecules of hyaluronic acid, tangled together to form a thick barrier that prevents inflammatory cells from gaining entrance to the joint. These molecules are a basic need for healthy joints.
When a joint is subjected to repeated stress or trauma, such as can occur with everyday riding, training, or racing, it often leads to damage of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. At this point, lameness is not always present. However, as the damage worsens, the horse becomes lame and the joint becomes hot and swollen. The damage to the tissue allows white blood cells to escape nearby blood vessels and invade the joint space.
These white blood cells then release destructive substances which start to degrade the joint’s cartilage. Enzymes from the white blood cells also begin to break down the hyaluronic acid molecules. This results in synovial fluid that is thin and watery, and has poor cushioning and nourishing qualities. If left untreated, the joint damage progresses to arthritis and, eventually, degenerative joint disease that can become crippling.
Once it has been damaged, the cartilage does not heal well. Since it does not have a blood supply of its own and must depend on the synovial fluid, which has also been degraded by the inflammatory process, the cartilage often does not repair itself at all. Once DJD (degenerative joint disease) is established, there is no way of curing it. It can be managed, but often leads to a horse’s premature retirement. Sometimes, horses with severe DJD must be put down.
Weekend Hussler defeating Scenic Blast in the Caulfield Guineas
(photo: Vince Caligiuri The Age)
When running in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in the Autumn the champion galloper jumped a shadow and wrenched his off fore fetlock.
Weekend Hussler was then spelled and it was expected that rest would be the only provision required for cure. But come the early preparation for this Spring it was discovered that he was still struggling with the same injury and an arthroscopic operation was then advised.
It was during this that vets discovered that Weekend Hussler was suffering from residual inflammation as result of leaking synovial fluid.
joint showing relation of synovian fluid
"It is a one-off thing and we are still working out which is the best way to treat it. He is definitely out for the spring. He might just need time."
"We gave him time off and he looks great but, unfortunately, he has not recovered. We have just got to get the horse nice and sound and then work out where we go from there,” - trainer Ross McDonald. (as reported on the Racing Victoria website)
"You can only diagnose the problem via an arthroscope because nothing shows up on the x-rays, and hence radiographs after his poor performance on 14 February didn’t show anything."
“Once he hadn’t responded to the normal treatment regimes for a wrenched joint as we diagnosed initially we spelled him, but it (the injury) didn’t improve out in the paddock, hence he was brought back into the stables and the arthroscope was put in."
“We flushed it out and we have given him quarterzone steroids postoperatively and it hasn’t responded so far.”
“I’ve contacted different vets around the world and there’s nothing we haven't done so far that would normally help the condition so we’re now just investigating the possibility of further treatments rather than just rest."
“There are reported treatments that involve the injection of a radioactive isotope into the joint to destroy the synovial membrane which they do to humans with the same condition and they have a good response to it."
“If we decide to go down the path of the radioactive isotope it would have to be flown over from France.” - Weekend Hussler's Vet, Rob McInnes. (as reported on the Racing Victoria website)
The recent stellar success of Scenic Blast in Australia and England sit in stark contrast to the sorry situation that has befallen Weekend Hussler. Four times Weekend Hussler met Scenic Blast, and except for his very unlucky 4th behind him in this year’s Lightning Stakes (Tightened for room. Struck interference near 400m. Lost a plate) Weekend Hussler has easily defeated him on each occasion.
We can only wonder what might have been had not Weekend Hussler been redesigned in the Spring of 2008 into a stayer instead of a champion sprinter/miler. His last start in the Spring of 2008 was a 12th place finish in the Caulfield Cup - pulling up lame after the race.
To enlighten us all more on the injury I have turned to Horses and Horse Information and an article from this resource from the Spring of 1997:
Synovial fluid is made of large molecules of hyaluronic acid, tangled together to form a thick barrier that prevents inflammatory cells from gaining entrance to the joint. These molecules are a basic need for healthy joints.
When a joint is subjected to repeated stress or trauma, such as can occur with everyday riding, training, or racing, it often leads to damage of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. At this point, lameness is not always present. However, as the damage worsens, the horse becomes lame and the joint becomes hot and swollen. The damage to the tissue allows white blood cells to escape nearby blood vessels and invade the joint space.
These white blood cells then release destructive substances which start to degrade the joint’s cartilage. Enzymes from the white blood cells also begin to break down the hyaluronic acid molecules. This results in synovial fluid that is thin and watery, and has poor cushioning and nourishing qualities. If left untreated, the joint damage progresses to arthritis and, eventually, degenerative joint disease that can become crippling.
Once it has been damaged, the cartilage does not heal well. Since it does not have a blood supply of its own and must depend on the synovial fluid, which has also been degraded by the inflammatory process, the cartilage often does not repair itself at all. Once DJD (degenerative joint disease) is established, there is no way of curing it. It can be managed, but often leads to a horse’s premature retirement. Sometimes, horses with severe DJD must be put down.
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