The Selle Francais licensed breeding stallion and World Equestrian Games horse Galant du Serein has been severely injured following an accident after surgery. The bay stallion by Apache d'Adriers x Sojornet injured his elbow while recovering from inguinal hernia surgery.
Owned by Anne Whitten of Horses Unlimited and currently being trained and competed by the Danish Mikala Gundersen from Wellington, FL, Galant du Serein was transported to the equine clinic to undergo an extensive operation for a hernia, in which one testicle was removed and his lower intestine reorganized. During his recovery from surgery, Galant injured his elbow.
So far, Galant is recovering, but the injury is very severe and the recovery period is at this point only a guesstimate. The vets are looking at a window of about six months before the fracture will be totally healed. Only after that period they will be able to evaluate the soundness level of the horse.
The future of Galant's breeding and competition career is now in danger, but everybody is hoping for a swift recovery. Galant's owner Anne Whitten released a statement shortly after Eurodressage posted the news. "Horses Unlimited's Olympic dressage stallion Galant du Serein underwent hernia surgery last week. During the recovery he injured his elbow. Since the time of the injury he has continued to receive world class care. Over the next few weeks the situation will be assessed, with Galant's comfort and happiness always the highest priority," Whitten stated.
Under Colombian Dr. Cesar Parra, Galant du Serein competed at the 2004 Olympic Games, 2005 World Cup Finals and 2006 World Equestrian Games. In January 2007, owner Horses Unlimited allocate a new rider, Mikala Gundersen, to the stallion. The new duo made their show debut during the 2007 Dressage in Florida circuit.
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
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