I don't know the details of Rachael's layoff. But I do know that stall
confinement is what is prescribed for non-displaced fractures -- meaning bone
breaks where everything is still where it was except for a slight crack in the
bone visible under x-ray or ultrasound. If it is a minor fracture, six weeks
stall rest is what is prescribed. Sometimes, if the x-rays look good and the
horse is likely to stay calm, hand walking is allowed. In any case, it is
gentle use of the horse with no, I mean no, running. A similar stall rest is
also used for some ligament, tendon, or other soft tissue injuries although
usually less time is prescribed. Even shipping can cause a set back in healing
so keeping Rachael in her stall at the track rather than sending her to the farm
would be consistent. If, indeed, Rachael had stall rest for a lengthy period,
you can be sure that she was recovering from something more than a minor injury
or from mere tiredness from a long campaign. Whether she
can recover fully remains to be seen.

Susan Ladmer