Positive prognosis for panicked pony impaled by post

A panicked pony has been treated by a veterinary team after bolting, and driving in and snapping off a 70cm length of post into its chest while trying to jump a fence.

The pony, called Penny, was spooked, throwing its 14-year-old rider, before bolting and attempting to clear the fence, as she headed back towards her own field.

Large wound

When the pony was caught, a large square-shaped wound on its chest was observed, but the extent of the penetration was unclear.

The animal subsequently presented at Newmarket Equine Hospital (NEH) in Suffolk, where vets noted a bulge pushing outwards beside the animal’s rib cage.

This turned out to be the thin end of the post lodged inside the horse’s body.

‘Quite remarkable’

Consultant surgeon Matt Smith, who carried out the removal procedure, expressed his surprise that, despite not being visible at the wound site, such a long piece of wood had penetrated so far without hitting vital structures.

Dr Smith said: “I have seen a wide range of traumatic injuries and removed a multitude of foreign bodies, but this was a first.

“When I started to extract the post via the chest wound, it just kept coming. It is quite remarkable that it didn’t damage any vital structures and avoided penetrating the thoracic cavity.”

Positive prognosis

Having removed the stake and checked thoroughly to ensure no remnants remained inside, Dr Smith then set about reconstructing the wound, while ensuring there was sufficient drainage to prevent development of infection.

Dr Smith is optimistic the animal will return to full function.