Surgeons save mare after trailer accident

Deborah Steele, a long time equestrian, was trailering Daisy Mae, her 18-year-old Paint mare, to a chiropractor appointment, but when she opened the trailer upon arrival, she noticed that Daisy Mae was hung up on the metal bar divider of the stalls in the trailer.

Daisy Mae, who was cut badly, was cared for by the veterinarian on site at the appointment but after the veterinarian began to suture the wound, they realized it was much deeper than originally anticipated. The cut had gone through multiple muscle layers and with a fear of internal damage, the veterinarian referred Daisy Mae to the UC Davis Large Animal Hospital, where Steele brought her immediately.

After a workup was conducted by the equine emergency team on site, they discovered that there was significant damage to Daisy Mae’s abdominal wall, meaning she needed surgery. She was prepped by an anesthesiologist and Sandra Valdez, DVM, DACVs-LA, DABVP (Equine), along with surgical residents Bridget Ratliff, DVM, and Laurel Saldinger, DVM, cleaned and then gently explored the wound to discover the extent of the damage.¹

Daisy Mae being prepared for surgery at the UC Davis veterinary hospital (Image courtesy of UC Davis)

During the surgery after extending through multiple abdominal muscular layers, they discovered there was no peritoneal rupture association with the inguinal laceration. The surgical team then extended the incision, and after finding nothing abnormal within the intestines, they repaired the wound and reapposed the many affected layers of muscle. The UC Davis team noted that Daisey Mae stood up well from anesthesia with assisted head- and tail-rope recovery.

Daisy Mae recovered from the procedure in the hospital's Equine Intensive Care Unit on IV fluid therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics. She was also kept on strict stall rest with 2 handheld walks a day for 10 minutes each. Now, in her second month of recovery, she is allowed to do a small run in addition to her stall and in her third month, she will be allowed to access a large pasture or padlock by herself with extended hand walks.

“The team of doctors that helped Daisy Mae recover was awesome,” concluded Steele. “She is eating well, gaining weight, and getting better every day.”

Reference

1. Warren R. UC Davis Equine Surgeons Save Mare Injured in Trailer Accident. School of Veterinary Medicine. Published June 23, 2025. Accessed July 17, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-equine-surgeons-save-mare-injured-trailer-accident