Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

HaleyB — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:27:02 GMT

I love Big Brown and pray for his comeplete healing. I would have loved to have seen him compete in the Breeder's Cup, racing against many other great horses, including my other favorite, Curlin. If he won, that would have been great. But if not, he still got to compete. Now we will never know what else he could have achieved. On the bright side, now he gets to go the Three Chimneys and make "little" Big Brownies. God speed beautiful boy.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Wanda — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:35:34 GMT

Very interesting article. I've never seen a heel injury that bad although I've seen ones that were as bad after they have healed.

I talked about BB's feet on Jason's site all year and I did comment about what appeared to be patches on his heels in the Monmouth Stakes. I was told it was dirt but I didn't buy that one it didn't look like dirt.I realize now that his feet were a work of art with alot of the foot missing. when he grabbed himself in the work he took off the patch and some real foot with it.

They were quoted as saying that he had never done that before(bull poop). If a horse isn't right on the front end they will hit or grab themselves because they are not travelling right. IMO it's disgusting that they carried on with him knowing what they knew. These guys should be ashamed of themselves putting their interests above that of the horse. I have zero respect for the connections and all the respect in the world for the horse. To do what he did with the feet he had shows he had a ton of heart.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:24:26 GMT

Thank you for the information. I saw pictures of his hoof and how much of it was ripped off. Ow! Really bad hangnail! Seriously, I have been anticipating his race in the Breeder's Cup for months - with or without Curlin - and will sorely miss him. He was a joy to watch - when he got going, it was like looking at perfection. He did what he was created to do and enjoyed it while he was doing it. I'll miss him.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Alex JH — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:54:38 GMT

Also Fran, Dutrow apparently said he grabbed the right front with the right rear.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Alex JH — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:52:33 GMT

Norma, I and apparently many others believe that was the reason for hiding him out. They didn't want anyone to know what was going on with the colt, for whatever reason that may have been, only the connections know for sure. They didn't announce his workouts, just a vague every 6-7 days. THEY chose to withhold public access to the colt, THEY chose to train at track that is currently a training track only. I saw on here many times people trying to figure out what was going on with the colt. Of course it's not the colt's fault, but maybe the big crowds of onlookers and media made him nervous. Obviously he was so fragile hoofwise that the connections KNEW they were playing on borrowed time.

As far as hearing more about Curlin, yes I'm sure we will. As a stud he has shown to be more durable, more accomplished and has a little more longevity. Big Brown is the kind of stud prospect MANY people have complained about. One with an inherited problem that he has a high likelihood of passing on to his progeny.

Fran,

My own curiosity has been peaked by the seeming lack of preparation to prevent this type of injury. I saw something about front wraps, those would only have prevented the small cut. Bell boots may have helped, but not the rubber type that flop around. Perhaps the type used on rodeo horses may have, but the injury could very well have been that he caught the hoof just right and due to the fragile nature of his hoofwall, very little force was needed to break off the chunk. As far as when it happened, none of us really know, I doubt we ever will know exactly what happened.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

normajean81258 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:15:56 GMT

I can believe no one taped his work! The media has been pathetic when it comes to even little tidbits, about Big Brown since the Belmont. I love Curlin, but I'm surprised we haven't seen articles on his "bathroom", eating and nap habits. I think the media went with all the negatives, leaving Brownie out, and went with the positives, which of course is Curlin. I'm sure we will hear much more about Curlin than Brownie after they are both retired as well. Brownie got a bad deal here and I think it's very sad. I will be screaming & cheering for Curlin next week along with everyone else. I just wish people would remember, they are living breathing horses, not robots.....

Thanks for the great post, very informative.

Have a great BC Day Everyone!

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

gammyp6 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:08:37 GMT

I hate to say this but I'm kinda glad he is not going to the BC. I would never ever wish an injury on any horse but I did not have a good feeling about the race. Nothing to do with winning or not winning. I've just had some fear(unfounded I'm sure)that he would breakdown. On to Three Chimneys and a date with the ladies! Thanks for this very informative article with pics.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Fran Jurga — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:26:09 GMT

Thank you to everyone who read and/or commented on my post. I thought it might be helpful for people to see photos of similar (and worse) injuries.

I am sure that the trainer had reasons for sending the horse out to train without bell boots; I have photos of him training on other dates (on the dirt) with them on. And then again, maybe they forgot them back at the barn!

My personal theory is that it might have happened after the work if he shied at something and/or scrambled a bit. When you're on a horse, you feel and hear a break in the rhythm of the hooves hitting the ground and I haven't heard the rider mention a stumble or anything during the work.

What a tough break; maybe by the time his offspring hit the track we'll be able to do hoof transplants.

PS For "Robert", I don't know what his tendency to hit previously was, other than that he had rundown problems on his hinds after the Preakness and wore bandages on all fours when worked on the dirt recently, as documented by the Blood Horse. Horses can also interfere between front feet, not just hind to front.

I can't believe no one taped his work!

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Deborah Thomas — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:43:56 GMT

Now Big Brown can join Smarty Jones. Both were crowd pleasers. I was so happy to see Big Brown come back for 2 more major wins after his Belmont tragedy! Big Brown was a winner

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Flyinhome — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:42:19 GMT

thanks for the post! I've heard about and seen a horse "grab". Some horses do it all the time, which is why they wear front wraps and the different shoes. it stinks that he won't be racing in the classic. i wanted to see him meet with the Big Boys. that was his true test for me. He'll be happy as a stud, livin the good life.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Robert — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:34:23 GMT

Great background information Fran!

Interesting that his injury occurred while working out on turf. Did his tendency to hit his legs while running make this a more likely injury to occur?

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Luvthehorses — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:04:55 GMT

I still love Big Brown and hope that he lives a long life.

I also think that he has not been given the credit that he is due.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

TouchStone Farms — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:28:01 GMT

Hindsight is always 20-20, but after 30 years in the training ranks should I have been presented with a horse of "Big Brown's" stature & valuation I might have considered putting a close fitting set of 1/4 boots on him? 1) They weigh next to nothing and 2) They would have afforded him a great deal of protection without his even being aware they were there. If your going to risk an injury you do it racing in the "Breeders Cup" not during a training session.

Having said this I do of course recall the odd error I've made with stakes horses......but I don't think I want to go there hmmmm.

re: Heel Bulb Injuries 101: Big Brown's Latest Hoof Malady

Windy City — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:37:13 GMT

His feet had problems with catching up with his courageous heart...

Thanks for the ride Brownie, I'll never forget you!