Finding the problem — fast
AS a young horse, home-bred eventer Jesmond Justice started making a respiratory noise.
The Welton Justice son underwent surgery to fix the paralysed side of his larynx in an open position — known as a tie-back — at six years old, before he continued his career. When he reached advanced level, however, a slight noise was still noticeable.
“It was only when he was at full speed that the problem was noticeable,” explains Ron Pearson of the Jesmond Stud. “Mark Kyle had just ridden him in the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim and suggested we had him checked out.
“When he was galloping flat out, dynamic endoscopy revealed that the larynx was still obstructing his airway. He had a relatively minor op involving laser treatment, under local anaesthetic, at the end of 2014. After several weeks’ rest, he made a complete recovery.”
The lofty gelding, now 13, has since completed Burghley with Mark and was seventh this year in the Belton CIC3* with Lauren Blades. After missing Burghley this time with a minor injury, he will be aimed at Badminton next spring.
“We were pleased that the endoscopy pinpointed the problem,” says Ron. “He can only just manage a neigh, but he has no trouble maintaining fitness — his cross-country round at Bramham in June was one of the fastest.”