After a very eventful day at Ellis Park yesterday, we have good news and bad news concerning Techy. First the good news - after going to back to the track after a few days of walking, she galloped very strongly, and her legs were fine with no signs of inflammation in the one tendon. However, following her gallop yesterday, she tied up very badly. The vet pumped her full of fluids several times yesterday, but she still wasn't right at about 7:00 pm, so they took her to the Stone Ridge Equine Clinic near Ellis Park, where they continued to put fluids into her all night. I talked to her vet Dr. Barry, last night at about midnight, and she said that her enzyme levels were still off of the charts. However, she said that everything had been handled quickly that she felt she would be fine, and that there should be no long term damage.
We got the OK on her at about 11:00 AM this morning. She is going to be fine physically, but Randy is going to send her to the farm for a couple of weeks, more for the mental trauma she went through. The vet wants her stall bound for 1 week, then she will be transported to Richard's farm in La Grange for a couple of weeks. Then she will go back to the track. Randy said that she will not have lost too much fitness, but will need a couple of works to have her ready to race.
For those who are unfamiliar with horses tying up, it would be similar to a human athlete who cramps up following a strenuous work out, where they become dehydrated, and the build up of lactate acid in the muscles cause the muscles to "tie up". Maybe we can get Dr. King to explain the process in a little more detail.
Needless to say, we won't be racing this weekend. So anyone who was torn over going to Ellis or the UK/UL football game, your decision is a little easier.
On a very positive note, Randy's 2yo filly - June's Best, broke her maiden first time out yesterday in the Mdn50K. Techy worked with her from the gate last week, and they ended up noses on the wire together after Techy spotted her a couple of lengths at the start. Also, Nancy and I talked with Randy's exercise rider yesterday, and she said that Techy was a lot more horse than her.
Contact me with any questions concerning Techy. I am by no means an expert on horses tying up, but I learned more yesterday than I cared to know about the subject. I will pass along whatever information I can.
Charlie Farrell