A summary of veterinary experiences at the Athens Olympic Games will appear in our November issue, but here are some tidbits, including insights from Jack Snyder, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, professor in the University of California, Davis’ Department of Surgical and Radiologic Services and a director of the Olympic Veterinary Clinic.

On Aug. 20, Snyder gave the outcome of a distal femur fracture in the stifle of Belgian eventer Over and Over (ridden by Joris Vanspringel) during the cross country on Aug. 17. “The fracture was too bad to fix,” said Snyder, “but at least we gave it a try.” The horse was euthanized.

Also, Great Britain’s Tamarillo, William Fox-Pitt’s mount, fractured his stifle during cross country. The injury was not considered life-threatening, but it could affect future performance.

Snyder noted that early in the Olympics, heat had been a problem for several horses; fluids and/or medical intervention were needed for some cases, including colics. At one point in mid-Olympics, Snyder said, “We’re still working on two to five horses each day, but there are no major problems. I think since it cooled down, the colics have slowed, although it is getting hot again.”

Show Jumping

The vets were busy again when show jumping started on Aug. 22. On Aug. 24, Snyder said, “Today we had two horses that we had to bring out of the ring with the ambulance (Who Knows Lilly, the mount of Argentina’s Frederico Sztyrle, and Dileme De Cephe, ridden by Bruno Broucqsault of France). Both had superficial tendon injuries.

“We are waiting for the (jumping) rounds tonight,” said Snyder. “We’re a little worried since we had the two come out, which to have two injured in one round is a little much.”

A third horse had to be taken off course with the ambulance to the veterinary clinic on Aug. 27 during the silver medal jump-off. Royal Kaliber, U.S. rider Chris Kappler’s horse, “went acutely lame on landing in the jumping round on the left forelimb,” said Professor Leo Jeffcott, BVetMed, PhD, FRCVS, DVSc, MA, VetDr, president of the Athens Veterinary Commission. “We were able to put a splint on the horse and X-rays were taken. Reviewing these, there was no evidence of fracture,” and the injury was said to be an acute strain of the superficial digital flexor tendon. The vets treated the swelling with analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and ice, and he was expected to recover.

The injury was said to be unrelated to a slight filling in one hind leg that occurred in mid-summer, from which he recovered quickly.

According to the United States Equestrian Federation, the condition of the jumping arena footing was a concern for some riders. Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa said, “It’s a disappointment to see horses like this go away in an ambulance. I would say the ground is not perfect.”

Questions were asked at the press conference after the medal ceremony, but without a full investigation into the arena footing, it is not possible to lay any blame at this stage, said Jeffcott. This is a matter the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) will need to look into with great care, he added.