|
|
 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
  
| My horse sustained some type of soft tissue injury back over July 4th weekend.
We believe it was some kind of collatoral ligment injury, but a minor one, as the ultrasound came back clean. He did have swelling and was off.
My rx for the horse was to give him 8 weeks off (12 would be ideal) and bring him back slowly. I opted to give the 12 weeks off and got hand walking in when I could.
About two weeks ago my horse was reevaluated. We didn't ultrasound, but he got a flex test and trotted off sound. I was told I could start light work.
I have not really had the chance to really do much work with him, so I figured I would ask my vet about turn out. Got the okay today to turn him out-so I did.
Here is my concern-he doesn't seem "off" but he seems stiff in the leg after being out for about an hour.
My vet said it would be okay if he was a little crazy at first, but that he should settle down-and he did. I am just concerned that I can see this stiffness.
I contacted my vet (again) just to inquire and make sure if this is normal, but in the meantime I also figured I would get input from all of you.
What are normal things to see when you bring a horse back? Is a bit of stiffness as you get them back into work normal?
What should I look out for?
What is your riding regime for this type of situation?
Would I be better off sending him to a facility to be swam in anyone elses opinion?
I really want to minimize the risk of reinjury, and I want to bring him back correctly. I am not a fan of being a nervous wreck every time I turn him out. |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
  
| I have never had a horse return to work stiff. The oldest one injured I had was 14.
If the horse is high teens and has been used a lot it could be arthritis early onset. A vet to diagnose |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 71
| magic gunsmoke - 2014-10-02 6:38 PM
My horse sustained some type of soft tissue injury back over July 4th weekend.
We believe it was some kind of collatoral ligment injury, but a minor one, as the ultrasound came back clean. He did have swelling and was off.
My rx for the horse was to give him 8 weeks off (12 would be ideal) and bring him back slowly. I opted to give the 12 weeks off and got hand walking in when I could.
About two weeks ago my horse was reevaluated. We didn't ultrasound, but he got a flex test and trotted off sound. I was told I could start light work.
I have not really had the chance to really do much work with him, so I figured I would ask my vet about turn out. Got the okay today to turn him out-so I did.
Here is my concern-he doesn't seem "off" but he seems stiff in the leg after being out for about an hour.
My vet said it would be okay if he was a little crazy at first, but that he should settle down-and he did. I am just concerned that I can see this stiffness.
I contacted my vet (again) just to inquire and make sure if this is normal, but in the meantime I also figured I would get input from all of you.
What are normal things to see when you bring a horse back? Is a bit of stiffness as you get them back into work normal?
What should I look out for?
What is your riding regime for this type of situation?
Would I be better off sending him to a facility to be swam in anyone elses opinion?
I really want to minimize the risk of reinjury, and I want to bring him back correctly. I am not a fan of being a nervous wreck every time I turn him out.
I was always told min of 3 months off with soft tissue injury like that and sometimes up to 1 year off
I had a mare tear her joint capsule in rear fetlock - she was off 9 months - then walking for 1 month and then trotting light work for 1 month, then back to work
Good Luck - Trust your gut - if he is stiff something is not right - I would do another 30-60 days and re-evaluate - make sure to put him on a good joint supplement too |
|
| |
|
IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| I am currently kicking myself in the butt for turning him out. Thinking that was a bad, bad, bad idea.
:-(
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 747
| We had one with a similar injury and she was off a full year with no riding. We hand walked her 15 minutes a day for I don't even remember how long, she was diagnosed in February and we were still walking her the beginning of December. During the summer months she was allowed in a little pen, maybe twice her stall size. We kept a steady routine with apair of BOT boots as well. Knock on wood, we brought her back this April and she was great. Slow and steady we were with her. |
|
| |
|
IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| I have some good news. There is very little swelling, no heat, and he is not sore.
My vet said what I saw was likely due to being out of shape and will be normal as I bring him back whereas bringing him back slow and steady is key. If MRIs weren't so pricey I would do one since the initial ultrasound didn't really pick anything up. If any heat or swelling occurs I will likely get another ultrasound down to be safe. These soft tissue injuries are a pain. |
|
| |
Folks on-line