All lesions are not the same regarding future prognosis. This is an easy and minor lesion to heal, but yes, it would be six months before he could be back - ligaments just take a long healing time.
Not everyone is eager to discard what they have, and go on to the next hot young hopeful prospect. Some still do race for fun. I personally like horses having long careers. But long careers include plenty of months off for routine R & R, and special time off for healing of the normal aches and strains of being an athlete.
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"Have the clean racing people run any ads explaining that giving a horse a Starbucks and a chocolate poppyseed muffin for breakfast would likely result in a ten year suspension for the trainer?" - Dr. Andrew Roberts
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