A few years back (2011) my mare tore her joint capsule in the left rear fetlock. It was a complete ligament tear. We rested her 9 months and she came back strong - then after about 4 months she was off - so I rested her 6 weeks and let my 7 y/o daughter ride her - she did good and then after a few months she was off again. We decide to make her one of the lesson horses after we rested her from that and she has been fine. Bred her last year and she is due in March 2016.
I wanted to try to bring her back for my daughter who is now 10 y/o to use for little britches rodeo. I want to get some ideas about supplements maybe shoeing changes etc. I have back on track wraps that she really likes - she is 100% seasoned and doesnt need barrel or pole work during the week. I have a pond so I was thinking about swimming her vs riding her once it warms up and we wean the baby.
Posted 2016-01-01 11:21 AM Subject: RE: Little help
Expert
Posts: 1218 Location: South MS
I was going to have ultrasound and xray done once she has the baby - we xrayed it last year before I bred her and there were no changes since original xray when she was cleared to ride the very first time.
I am actually going to use the performance vet I changed to this past year as I am hoping he will have more useful information to go by as far as trying to get her sound and keep her sound.
I really think we were too quick to ride her after her intial lay off and I wish I would have had the knowledge of what I do now and waited longer to bring her back.
Posted 2016-01-01 11:35 AM Subject: RE: Little help
Expert
Posts: 2121 Location: The Great Northwest
Controled exercise is good for healing. I would have a lameness exam done and specifically for the fetlock. Depending on what is found from the exam ask for a ultrasound and x-rays.
Posted 2016-01-01 3:46 PM Subject: RE: Little help
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
I have one tore her joint capsule out of the joint. We did generic stem cells within the first few weeks, she was cleared to ride in 8 weeks. That leg we haven't had any issues since and it is 3 yrs old.
I was speaking to my vet this year, about a horse I knew that tore a ligament, he told me ligaments as a rule don't heal without medical intervention such as stem cells, bone marrow, or ligament resection. This may be why your horse didn't hold up to the riding, you may want to speak to your vet about the prognosis of the ligament she tore without intervention
Little help
