Der Pferdepodcast · Jenny und Chris Berdrow

#435 Die Frau, die Amiras Trümmerbruch operierte

·44 min·3 clips

We interview the veterinarian who operated on Amira's shattered leg when all other clinics in Germany said no.

1. Pferdepodcast episode 435 is recorded on a Friday evening in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) at the end of the Easter holiday, with hosts Jenny and Manni. 2. Jenny is the horse owner and rider; Manni is co-host and handles production and commentary; the episode features guest Dr. Michelle Amanda Jackson from the Tierklinik Zürich. 3. The central question of the episode is how complex the Amira surgery really was, and whether advances in equine orthopaedics mean bone fractures in horses can now routinely be treated. 4. Jenny notes that Amira's original accident — a comminuted fracture of the coronet bone (Kronbein) during longeing — occurred the previous year, with surgeries around the year-end transition and the mare returning to her Schwarzwald home around February. 5. Manni highlights that multiple German clinics declined to operate on Amira, leading owner Nadine to contact the Tierklinik Zürich through extensive telephone research. 6. Dr. Jackson describes Amira as an exceptional patient who 'always showed she wanted to live and fight' from the first day at the clinic. 7. The coronet bone fracture was complicated because the bone lies partly within the hoof capsule, meaning CT imaging was essential to create a 3D map of all fragments before planning the reconstruction. 8. The surgical protocol involved one hour of sterile preparation of the hoof — shaving, washing, sterilising — followed by a three-hour operation making an incision above the coronet, placing screws in the fragments, and fixing the assembly to the pastern bone with two metal plates. 9. The procedure creates an arthrodesis — a permanent fusion — of the coronet joint, which Dr. Jackson notes is already a naturally stiff joint, making this an acceptable trade-off. 10. Dr. Jackson emphasises that perfect reconstruction of all bone fragments is non-negotiable in equine fracture surgery because the horse must bear weight immediately, unlike a human who can rest in bed. 11. She says bone fractures in horses are no longer a death sentence: CT scanning, early detection of hairline fractures, and advances in implant technology mean many horses now return to sport after fracture treatment. 12. Dr. Jackson explains that she understands why smaller clinics without CT equipment or implant experience decline complex cases, but argues that honest second-opinion referrals should be offered rather than immediate euthanasia recommendations. 13. The Tierklinik Zürich has been involved in international equine orthopaedics research and training courses since the era of Professor Auer, maintaining a tradition of fracture surgery expertise. 14. The host asks whether German clinics were simply behind Zürich; Dr. Jackson responds diplomatically, attributing the gap to equipment and experience rather than competence, while affirming that referral to specialists is the right course. 15. Dr. Jackson confirms that Amira's bone is healing well, with controlled walking (Schritt) being the ideal early physiotherapy — controlled loading promotes blood flow and bone remodelling. 16. She warns that placing a healing horse in total box rest with no movement is counterproductive: 'the bone needs movement to heal.' 17. A second horse owner contacted the Zürich clinic with an identical comminuted fracture after specifically hearing about Amira through the podcast — a direct real-world impact the hosts did not anticipate. 18. On Amira's prognosis for rideability, Dr. Jackson is cautiously optimistic: the hoof joint showed additional damage and may develop arthritis, so a definitive answer on whether Amira will be rideable requires waiting approximately six months post-operation. 19. The episode also covers Benni's upcoming tournament debut in Aachen and whether the 'Batman mask' (a Carthago anxiety mask) is legal on the warm-up track — a listener confirmed it is not permitted, even outside the test ring. 20. German-speaking horse owners dealing with serious injuries, orthopaedic dilemmas, or fracture referral decisions will find Dr. Jackson's segment practically and emotionally valuable.

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