Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Catherine Chamberlain on November 18, 2009 at 10:50pm

I would ask your vet about stem cell injections. They take the fatty cells from the top of the tail and inject it into the tendon because of its ability to repair tears. I've known various horses who have had the treatment after suspensory injuries and it is supposed to make the tendon even stronger than before the injury once it heals.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jackie Ericksen on November 18, 2009 at 11:04pm

Thank you! I'll have to ask him about that!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Catherine Chamberlain on November 19, 2009 at 1:55pm

Good luck! I hope your horse has a quick recovery.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jackie Ericksen on November 19, 2009 at 2:18pm

Thanks! Me too :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on November 20, 2009 at 10:09am

Jackie:

If this were my horse I'd be transporting it to the veterinary hospital at Pullman, WA, ASAP for further workup, evaluation, and possible stem cell injections. Suspensory injuries are most often CAREER ENDING, particularly for horses in the Olympic disciplines, and the longer you leave this the less likely it is that you will have a positive outcome.

You live in a state with one of the best and most advanced vet hospitals in NA, and you should, without doubt, take advantage of it. When you see words like "avulsion", "bowing", and "tearing", all your internal alarm system needs to be going off. I urge you to get your horse to Pullman as fast as you possibly can - do not rely on stall rest alone.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Goucher on November 20, 2009 at 11:12am

I would definitely work with your vet and a physiotherapist. Shockwave therapy is wonderful, but do look into the stem cell injections, combined with shock wave and physiotherapeuitc treatment gives you your best odds for recovery. Often, horses will no longer be able to be used in the same capacity as before, and scarring of the suspensories is hard to avoid. Make sure you don't just keep him on strict stall rest, ask your vet about small frequent hand walks. You may have to sedate him at first, but studies are coming out showing that small hand walking early in the recovery increases the recovery prognosis. Good luck, it sounds like you will have a long year ahead of you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathy Goucher on November 20, 2009 at 11:15am

Forgot to add; please give him at least 6 to 9 months, preferably a year before resuming any training with him. Most often people do not give the horse enough recovery time, and they end up re injuring the horse by pushing them before they are ready. Slow and steady will bring your horse back to work safely.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jackie Ericksen on November 21, 2009 at 8:46pm

As of right now, he had 30 days of stall rest and 15 minutes daily of "hand grazing" and leisurley walking; and just started on a light schedule of actual hand walking 2 weeks ago- moving up a minute a day. He will Be re-evaluated at 90 days with ultra sound... My vet said because of how he damaged the suspensory that injections wouldn't help- but, I don't know what kind he was talking about (I-wrap or stem cell). He will be out Monday for the last of the shockwave- I will have plenty of questions for him! Thanks guys!! :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jackie Ericksen on December 13, 2009 at 12:04pm

I definately agree with that advice! My vet told me that because the injuries weren't that bad- that we caught them early, that he should comeback 100% and sooner than most horses would. So, fingers crossed for my guy!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by happyhacker on December 30, 2009 at 3:04pm

My mare had a suspensory injury before I bought her which was why her previous owner was parting with her as she competed in high school dressage. She had all the best treatment at Liphook centre.
I don't compete at such heights and have given her plenty of time and slow easy exercise, especially walking up and down hills in hand (We have a lot of them here in Wales) She was graded last year and received top points for her gait which I was so pleased with. Not bad for a horse that was written off 3 years ago.This spring we intend to do a bit more with her and I am so excited. I am so lucky to now be the proud owner of this beautiful Lusitano. Time is the answer. No quick fixs I'm afraid but it will be worth it in the end. Good luck

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sarah Knight on December 30, 2009 at 6:36pm

I've been a groom/vet assistant for quite a few horses with suspensory damage. I second what Kathy said, GIVE HIM ENOUGH TIME TO HEAL. I've seen several horses' careers ended when they could have done a lot better if just given the time they needed. Have a look into the Game Ready machine, you can rent them and they aided greatly in some of the horses recoveries. Take him back into work slowly, when the vet tells you to start walking under saddle, consider sedating him or having someone lead him with some one on his back, More than once at our stable we had a horse re-injure something because he was being stupid the first time someone was back on him.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jackie Ericksen on December 30, 2009 at 6:50pm

I really like your idea of having somebody lead him in his first couple of rides. He has been getting sedated for his daily "walks". I am definately in no hurry- I have high hopes for this guy! What does the Game Ready machine do? I know that they are pretty expensive to rent... haha. I'll definately have to ask my vet what he thinks about it. He'll be out in about 2 weeks for the next ultrasound (the one that decides whether or not he's ready to start trotting). Thanks for the ideas Sarah and the optimism Happy!

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page