Million and Puddy

Shock was Dr. Yoko Tanaka’s initial reaction when she saw Million, one of three horses who were involved earlier this summer in an accident involving a horse trailer and a farm vehicle in Missouri. A Good Samaritan had hauled Million and two other rodeo horses to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center after the accident.

Million had been impaled by one of the trailer dividers and was suffering a penetrating neck wound completely through the middle of his neck. He was first seen in the field by KG’s Vet Service, before being stabilized for transport. Upon arrival at the LVMC, he was triaged by Drs. Christine Lopp-Schurter and Edward Romano.

The veterinarians were concerned for potential damage to his trachea and esophagus.

“Incredibly, no important structures such as major vessels, his trachea or his esophagus were involved,” said Tanaka, a third-year equine resident.

While Million had the most significant injuries, a second horse, Puddy, was also seriously injured.

Puddy, who was thrown into the living quarters of the horse trailer when the accident occurred, had a smaller neck wound as well as facial swelling. She was ultimately diagnosed with a skull fracture in addition to a penetrating neck wound. Additionally, she sustained a soft tissue injury to one of her hindlimbs, which was diagnosed by Dr. Megan Gallagher, who performed most of Puddy’s initial wound care.

“Treatment for any horse with extensive wounds is time-consuming,” Tanaka said. “The biggest challenge with Million and Puddy’s rounds was location. It was impossible to close the larger neck wounds and getting any bandage to stay in place on their necks was tricky at best.”

The third horse involved in the accident, Bronco, had superficial wounds and was treated and the discharged after a few days of hospitalization.

Million and Puddy’s stay at the LVMC ended after several weeks of hospitalization. And although Tanaka says their wounds have healed spectacularly, the two horses will need additional time to recover.

Puddy had an intermittent lameness early on, but that has continued to improve. The decision has been made to retire Millon from rodeo competitions, but Tanaka says he should be able to live a happy, comfortable life following additional rest and rehabilitation.

The treatment and care of Million and Puddy was a group effort. Countless LVMC technicians, caretakers and fourth-year veterinary students have worked with the pair spending up to an hour a day doing wound care for each horse.

September 2026