Complications with General Anesthesia
Friesians put under anesthetic can have neurological problems after recovery, often resulting in fatal complications. The condition is called Hemorrhagic myelomalacia. Friesians have historically had problems with recovery from general anesthesia, especially when needing surgery requiring full/dorsal recumbancy. The general consensus is to try for partial recumbancy if possible during a surgery, and move the horse around as well during dorsal recumbency to avoid a "soft spot" forming in the spinal cord that will result in post-anaesthetic myelomalacia and require the horse to be euthanized. The heavier (pregnant, baroque) horse will be at a greater risk of this due to their weight. While more common in draft horses, Friesian horses are susceptible to the complication as well. Some articles with more information to read are here:
