Bella Rose undergoes colic surgery

By Equestrian Life

Isabell Werth’s Olympic mount, Bella Rose, has undergone surgery for colic.

The 17 year old mare showed signs of colic Wednesday – the day the German team, including Isabell, won gold at the European Dressage Championships – and was taken to the veterinary clinic for surgery.

“Bella Rose’s case was a particularly severe and painful form of colic, a so-called foramen epicloicum, which conventional medication would not have helped. An operation was therefore urgently necessary and there was no alternative,” said team veterinarian Dr. Marc Koene. “Fortunately, Bella Rose got up quickly after the operation. In the meantime she has eaten and the bowel is working normally again.”

The epiploic foramen is a slit-like opening in the horse’s abdomen through which intestine can become entrapped, a condition known as epiploic foramen entrapment. This condition usually results in severe colic due to strangulation of the affected intestine.

“We are all very happy that Bella Rose survived the operation so well. I visited her this morning and she was allowed to eat her first grass again,” said Isabell Werth, adding: “I would like to thank the veterinary team at the Meerbusch Veterinary Clinic for her excellent and prudent action. “

Bella Rose was to be retired at CHIO Aachen next week, however she has now understandably been withdrawn from competing in the Nations Cup. Instead, Isabell will ride DSP Quantaz.

Germany’s CHIO Aachen Nations Cup team is now comprised of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Ferdinand, Carina Scholz with Tarantino, Frederic Wandres with Duke of Britain and Isabell Werth with DSP Quantaz.

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