advice please

[monsterwillow]

hi. just looking for some advice please.

my mare is in foal, due may. had a hoof abscess around september last year that didnt really surface for around 10 weeks. farrier and vet eventually cleared it and she was sound. however the initial lameness caused muscle wastage over her hind quarters on that side. vet advised ridden work to build up muscle but she wasnt coping well with being ridden and getting pretty stre

ssed. with her being in foal i decided to stop riding her. spoke to vet and he said turn her out so she is at least walking about using the muscle.

anyway she has been ok but obviously with no work muscle not working properly and with carrying the extra weight she has gotten worse this last couple of weeks. struggling with that leg but still getting about ok. i was starting to worry about how she will be able to run around after baby when it arrives so vet back out!

initial lameness caused the muscle wastage which is now causing joint problems. vet suggested a good physio and keep her out in the meantime to keep moving. physio is hoping to get out to me on saturday but if not it will be 7th march.

can anyone give me advice on exercises etc. i could do with her until physio comes?

thanks and sorry for the long post xx

 

[be positive]

Daily massaging the area will do no harm and may help stimulate the muscle, my physio always suggests this if I have to wait for a visit.

 

[monsterwillow]

Thanks will start with the massage tomorrow. Do you know of any exercises or stretches I could do? X

 

[be positive]

I would not want to advise on stretches to the affected leg, they can be invasive and if you do the wrong ones it could do more harm than good, a massage will really help and once the physio has been then you can do the exercises they feel are appropriate.
Carrot stretches are good, they will not really help the hind leg but will help with overall suppleness.