| Title: | Equine Notes Conference |
| Notice: | Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151 |
| Moderator: | MTADMS::COBURN IO |
| Created: | Tue Feb 11 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Thu Jun 05 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 2080 |
| Total number of notes: | 22383 |
I just got the bad news that my 11 yr.old TB gelding has
a couple of bone chips in one hind ankle, and that he has
injured the suspensory ligaments in the other hind ankle,
probably from compensating for the bone chip soreness.
The only clue to these injuries was the last couple of weeks
my trainer thought "something" was bothering him, even though
he looked sound. We had noticed his hind ankles stocking up
a bit (nothing really grotesque), which hadn't happened in
the previous six months since I bought him. The only other clue
I had was one time in riding him a week before, he'd kicked out twice
when I was cantering, like saying "ouch".
I won't speak to the vet until Monday, since I've been out of
town, but my understanding is the recommendation is 2 months
rest for the suspensory, and either rest or surgery on the
bone chips. I have major medical coverage for the surgery, so I'm
inclined to do that since he'll be laid up anyway. The last
thing I want is to rest him for two months for the suspensory,
and then find he needs surgery anyway.
I can't believe we've spent all winter getting both of us in shape
for show season, and the first day we get to ride outside after such
a horrible winter, he's on stall rest! Mostly this winter we've worked
on the flat, trotting poles, and small gymnastics, building up his
neck, back, and hind end. The vet says he could've gotten the bone
chips anywhere - in his stall, working, turned out, and would not
necessarily have noticed that he had hurt himself.
Anyone with experience with either of these injuries who could relay
their tales, advice (especially on the surgery)? I guess some bone
chips are so deep that there can be more damage from the surgery, but
if they're easy to get at, it's best to remove them. These two chips
are about the size of a pinhead.
Thanks,
Jennie
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1872.1 | sounds like the right thing to do | ELMAGO::HBUTTERMAN | Mon Apr 04 1994 15:37 | 18 | |
Jennie.. I have a friend here in Albuquerque who has a TB that
had arthroscopic surgery on a knee last fall for bone chips - she is
SOUND as a dollar today - it did require quiet/stall/rest for quite
a while, but clearly was worth the investment. There has been so
much done with that technology these days there is certainly less
to be concerned with than in the past - and as you mentioned - since
the suspensorys need a rest ...
I guess the only thing I would be asking about is what will the
stress of surgery do to the *other* leg? Compensating for pain is
something we/they all do and sometimes it does cause problems.
Good luck and let us know...
holly
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| 1872.2 | <update on his/our prognosis> | MROA::LEMIRE | Mon Apr 04 1994 23:21 | 18 | |
Thanks for the vote of confidence on surgery. I did speak to the
vet today - both suspensories are injured, and bone chips in one.
The chips are located in the back top of the pastern, underneath
the sesamoids, so may be difficult to get at. She'll have a
specialist (surgeon) look at the X-rays next week.
The good news is my insurance company is being very supportive.
The bad news is the vet says we are probably looking at SIX months
of rest and recuperation! So, I'm considering stopping riding
myself to let my own injured back heal properly, and also to see
if those are really bone spurs in my own ankle causing me all
that pain when I ride (so maybe I should have surgery!). Then
my horsey and I can recuperate together!
Regards,
Jennie
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| 1872.3 | sounds like a plan! | ELMAGO::HBUTTERMAN | Tue Apr 05 1994 13:32 | 9 | |
Sounds like a plan..... let us know what you decide and how
things go.
We'll be rooting for you and your horse!
smiles - h
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| 1872.4 | ex | DECWET::JDADDAMIO | Seattle Rain Festival: 1/1-12/31 | Tue Apr 05 1994 17:27 | 5 |
Judging by what I've read about this procedure, 6 months is common
for recuperation after bone chip removal.
Good luck,
john
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| 1872.5 | SUSPENSORY INJURY NOT THE END | MROA::LEMIRE | Tue Aug 20 1996 20:17 | 40 | |
Just an update on my TB horse whom I wrote about in 94 and 95 - he had
suffered an injury of bonechips in a hind ankle and both hind
suspensory ligaments and a tiny hole in a flexor tendon. He
ended up with 12+ months off, but lots of turn-out. The
advice on returning him to work slowly was taken, we walked him
for a few weeks, then started trots, after a couple of months
some canter, etc. I had just had a baby when he came back into
work, so had a dressage trainer riding him most of the time. She really
did wonders bringing him back to work, and even took him to a schooling
show where he did respectably.
Since then, I sent him back to my old hunter barn, where he was
half-leased for about 6 months by a not quite beginner, who loved
him, riding dressage seat. During this time, he has been for sale,
but no hard bites. He has been sound throughout, thank goodness!
Now, since he's so sound, we started jumping him again about 8
weeks ago, just over cross rails. So far, so good, and I'm hoping
that we may be able to add jumping to his repertoire for future
lookers. He is getting back into his rhythmic jumping style that
he once did so well on the hunt course. And he is still extremely
comfortable to ride.
Just wanted everyone to know that this injury didn't end his career,
and if anyone knows of anyone looking for a nice horse with his
capabilities, send them my way! With a child now, I just don't
have the time to put into riding that I should, and my husband is
anxious to cut the expenses. Maybe in a few years we'll get a pony?
(I try not to say that around my husband!)
Regards,
Jennie
Regards,
Jennie
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