After denerving?

[Abacus]

Have had my 13 year old ISH denerved in both front feet after DDFT damage. We tried cortisone injections which lasted less than 2 months and he was too lame just to retire, so we did this to get him comfortable before deciding on what happens for the rest of his life. 4 weeks on from the op he is now much more comfortable and I rode at the weekend, just a gentle schooling session (slow and easy) and a hack round the lanes. He felt ok soundness wise but he did stumble a few times and wasn't quite right - hard to tell what I mean but he didn't feel as forward going, happy and big moving as he used to. Could it be that he is getting used to less sensation in his feet (only the back half of each foot is denerved) or would you worry now about riding him?

I'm not planning on eventing or jumping him after this, but would like to use him as a light hack (like when friends visit or if I could find a sharer who wants a nice safe horse to plod around on).

Does anyone have any experience of this? And what do you think you would do? Obviously it's early days and I will give it a bit longer, but just curious...

Thanks.

 

[Maesfen]

My vet likens it to sometimes walking with frozen feet - you're not totally sure where they are. When a friend's horse had this done she was told to give him a couple of months before she brought him back into work (hunting) so perhaps it's a bit too early for him yet? He went another couple of seasons then had to be done again but that didn't work as well (as sometimes happens) only worked for six months then he was put down as couldn't cope with anything and pain relief didn't work at all; I think it's only a quick short fix that works for some but not all.

 

[Abacus]

Thanks that is interesting.

My vet said crack on as soon as the wound was healed but maybe he needs some time out to learn how his feet work again. Must be weird, like having numb heels all the time...

I'm not expecting him to last forever on it and I have been told the nerves grow back after about 18 months but as long as he's comfortable I don't mind... he can sit in the field and be happy if necessary.

Thanks