madhorsechelsea
New User
hi, my horse has been diagnosed with an annula ligament injury - has anyone experienced this and wot has been the outcome. thank you
annular ligament injury
- Thread starter madhorsechelsea
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TheresaW
Well-Known Member
My mare injured her annular ligament about 3 years ago. She had around 4 weeks box rest, but was going a bit crazy, so we made her a small pen in the field which helped. She then went onto normal field rest, for months, and came back into work after around 9 months. i took it slowly, building up walking for a few weeks, then introducing trotting. She has never had a problem since, touch wood. She is now 19 year old, and although I am generally just a happy hacker, we do lots of fun rides, and we have tried our hand out on the hunting field.
dollymix
Well-Known Member
my experience with one of my mares is very similar to that of the above (except Doll loved box rest- non-stop pampering was just up her street!) I also cold-hosed for twenty minutes twice a day on recommendation of my vet during the 4 weeks total box rest.
She is such a laid back girl that I was able to fashion a 'water-boot' by putting on a travel boot and putting the hose pipe down it until it was just above her fetlock. obviously you wouldn't be able to do this with every horse, but she was a star and just stood and enjoyed her hay in the sunshine.
I was able to bring her back into full work, although took my time over it and she went on to do TREC, fun rides and popped round the fences at the local farm ride with no issues. She is now out on full loan and although a little arthritic, no problems from the annular ligament injury
She is such a laid back girl that I was able to fashion a 'water-boot' by putting on a travel boot and putting the hose pipe down it until it was just above her fetlock. obviously you wouldn't be able to do this with every horse, but she was a star and just stood and enjoyed her hay in the sunshine.
I was able to bring her back into full work, although took my time over it and she went on to do TREC, fun rides and popped round the fences at the local farm ride with no issues. She is now out on full loan and although a little arthritic, no problems from the annular ligament injury
Vanha12
Well-Known Member
My mare tore her annular ligament (fetlock) a week before our first event this year. She had a scan to determine where and then steroid injection. The problem comes from the annular ligament thickening and putting pressure on the tendon sheath as far as I am aware and not the injury to the ligament itself. The vet said that she should be able to continue for the season but would need op to cut annular ligament at some point. She had a week in hand walking, then gradually came back into work but as soon as we started jumping the fetlock became hot and puffy so I made the decision to put her in for the op straight away and not compete this summer. She had the ligament cut just over three weeks ago and has just started walking in hand. The fetlock looks great so far and she is full of beans. I will know more about our return to work next week when she has another scan and injection but I am hopeful that she will be able to come back for the last few events in the autumn. I should add that at no time was she lame during all this except at the first scan when she was 2/10ths on flexion. Don't know how similar our injury was but best of luck with yours.
lmuir
New User
Hi
My eventer had this injury two years ago - prognosis from vet was terrible because I wouldnt have him operated on. 9 months in the field, strict exercise regime when he came back into work and he has been sound on it since (touching wood!) and eventing.
I currently have a tendon injury with my other horse and have just bought an ARCequine machine on the recommendation of lots of people - www.arcequine.com. Might be worth a look,
Lucy
My eventer had this injury two years ago - prognosis from vet was terrible because I wouldnt have him operated on. 9 months in the field, strict exercise regime when he came back into work and he has been sound on it since (touching wood!) and eventing.
I currently have a tendon injury with my other horse and have just bought an ARCequine machine on the recommendation of lots of people - www.arcequine.com. Might be worth a look,
Lucy
Ruftys mum
Active Member
Rufty damaged his annular ligament 2 years ago and was on and off lame for 4 months due partly to a mis- diagnosis of navicular syndrome. He was 17 at the time.
I obtained another vets opinion and he was then rested for 8 weeks(Out in a small paddock)Had physio and a magnetic boot. He was brought back into work very gradually over a period of 3 months and now (touch wood )has been sound for 16 months. He is ridden about 5 times a week, just hacking, upto a period of 2 hours.I just keep trotting on roads to a minimum and avoid any fast work on boggy or uneven ground. No sharp turns either
The vet thought he would be fit for light work only but I have gently pushed him on.I check his leg every time I ride him to ensure nothing is brewing
With rest and care your horse should be ok
I obtained another vets opinion and he was then rested for 8 weeks(Out in a small paddock)Had physio and a magnetic boot. He was brought back into work very gradually over a period of 3 months and now (touch wood )has been sound for 16 months. He is ridden about 5 times a week, just hacking, upto a period of 2 hours.I just keep trotting on roads to a minimum and avoid any fast work on boggy or uneven ground. No sharp turns either
The vet thought he would be fit for light work only but I have gently pushed him on.I check his leg every time I ride him to ensure nothing is brewing
With rest and care your horse should be ok
foraday
Well-Known Member
http://www.centurion-systems.co.uk/
Yes, used the mini pulse and horse recovered and is still eventing!
Good luck
Yes, used the mini pulse and horse recovered and is still eventing!
Good luck
LucyLou26
New User
My highland mare is currently going through treatment for an annular ligament injury and is booked in for surgery next week so fingers crossed it will all be okay! Apparently this issue is more common in the stockier breeds and the surgery she is having done is carried out often.
Before deciding to go through with the surgery, our vet carried out shock wave treatment on her which took course over about 6 weeks with lots if checks. After this we walked her round in hand for 6 weeks increasing it by 5 minutes each day, twice a day which wasn't fun! Time consuming and expensive! Neither aided any improvement.
Surgeon reckons rehab after surgery won't be too lengthy - 10 days box rest then almost walking (some of which is ridden) almost straight away. What a relief that will be seeing as haven't ridden in over 6 months!
Jordanmiles90
New User
Hi Lucy! I'm currently going through an annular ligament problem with my horse, I've tried giving him steroid injections which made him sound for 4 and a half months, however I think it maybe starting to ware off now, my vet said if it doesn't last more then 6 months then the only option would be is to operate! Could you let me know how yours is now after having her operated on? My horse is 20 years old now but is still very much in good health etc! Also do you know the rough cost of the operation? Thanks!
Vano
New User
Hi, I know this was quite a few years ago, but I wondered how your horse recovered from her operation. Mine horse has just been diagnosed with annular ligament thickening and has had steroid jabs last week and will see how that goes for the rest of the season. But op has been recommended and looking to do in October and hoping she will be back up and running for the Spring! She only just 6 so not a great start and hoping this will not effect her competing.
dotty1
Well-Known Member
My horse had annular ligament surgery 18 months ago. She is still not sound and not expected to be as the scar tissue from the cut ligament adhered to the tendon sheath. I believe if I had just rested her she would have been sound. She was insured so vets wanted to operate and I thought it was for the best.
The leg looks perfect, no swelling just must pull when flexed and makes her lame.
The leg looks perfect, no swelling just must pull when flexed and makes her lame.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
my frist mare did this but she did heal in the end
Vano
New User
so sorry to hear that. I am waiting to hear if my insurance will cover. So holding off on op for now, but tough decision to make.
mandyroberts
Well-Known Member
My horse had annular ligament surgery Sep 2019 (he was 5 years). Only slightly unlevel but he had hardly done any work as he was immature, so I had the op. Took a while to get him back in full work as I was rather cautious but he feels fine now. However the wear on his back shoes is still slightly more on the operated leg so I'm having vet out this morning as my insurance has an exclusion from Dec 2019. He has been in full work for about 2 months (I'm sure most people would have got there more quickly but he is very immature for his age and its only this year I feel he is strong enough for full work). I plan to do dressage with him, no jumping. I'd be interested to hear if others have uneven shoe wear long term?
He feels better than ever so I hope they just say that's how it is....
He feels better than ever so I hope they just say that's how it is....
mandyroberts
Well-Known Member
Dotty1: I thought the steroid injections wore off and the only long term solution was to operate. So it depends on the age of your horse. I had a 22 year old who developed annular ligament problems and I had steroids which worked perfectly - lasted 1-2 years so covered him for the rest of his days. They can only have a certain number
mandyroberts
Well-Known Member
My recommended rehab was 3 months.
2 weeks box rest, 2 weeks 5 mins walking a day building up to 10 mins, 1 month restricted turn out, 1 months ridden walking (still on restricted turn out).
He managed to kick me in the ribs and broke 6 towards the end of the walking in hand (at just under 4 weeks), so did restricted turn out which was fine for a few days but then he started going loopy so I bit the bullet and put him out with his pals (sedated to start with). It was all very peaceful but he had longer off because of my ribs.
And starting ridden work was not fun.....
I was told it is common in stockier breeds, cobs, ponies and my horse is a warm blood so they suspected DDFT so annular ligament was good news!
meleeka
Well-Known Member
Mine had a month box rest with in hand walking pretty much straight away. I think they like them and to be moving as soon as possible. I had awful problems with rehab. My boy was fine with box rest but he turned into a kite when trying to hand walk, so much so that he was unsafe, even sedated so I put him in a pen sooner than planned.
He took a year to become sound because they found a bone chip. They thought he’d injured himself whilst leaping about during his rehab, I think it was there all along personally. A high dose of bute for a week brought the swelling down and he eventually came sound.
He took a year to become sound because they found a bone chip. They thought he’d injured himself whilst leaping about during his rehab, I think it was there all along personally. A high dose of bute for a week brought the swelling down and he eventually came sound.
AandK
Well-Known Member
There are lots of threads in the vet section on this.
My 22yo had his AL cut in Aug 2015, he also had PRP injected into a tear in his sesamoidian ligament. Rehab was 2 weeks box rest, 6 weeks in a pen with 5 min in hand walking week 1, 10min week 2 until 30min week 6. At this point if it had been just the AL, he would have continued walking and adding trotting. Due to the other injury, he then had 2 months field rest. He was then sound when trotted up in the Dec, 4 months after the op. Made a full return to work (low level eventing) with no further issues on that leg. Sadly had to retired him in March, but nothing related, was a different leg.
My 22yo had his AL cut in Aug 2015, he also had PRP injected into a tear in his sesamoidian ligament. Rehab was 2 weeks box rest, 6 weeks in a pen with 5 min in hand walking week 1, 10min week 2 until 30min week 6. At this point if it had been just the AL, he would have continued walking and adding trotting. Due to the other injury, he then had 2 months field rest. He was then sound when trotted up in the Dec, 4 months after the op. Made a full return to work (low level eventing) with no further issues on that leg. Sadly had to retired him in March, but nothing related, was a different leg.
dotty1
Well-Known Member
My horse didn't have any steroid injections, wish I had had gone down that route as it worked for her mother. She was 10 when she was operated on.
Louby
Well-Known Member
Im currently going through this. My 5 yr old got kicked right near her annular ligament, there was a wound and initially we thought the swelling was because of it. When it didnt improve it was scanned and she had 4 weeks box rest with in hand short walks, I used ice boots during this time She is now in a sectioned off area of the field for a couple of hours a day, trying to keep her as quiet as possible and she has another scan due a week Friday. The swelling has come down slightly but she is definately lame. My vet has said the op is the last resort and Im praying she comes right.
ew0855
Well-Known Member
AJ22
New User
How are things going with your horse? I hope she is improving. I'm going through this now, with a 17 year old 14.2 mare. She has had 4 weeks box rest with ice packs and a bit of hand grazing, and is now in a small pen for an hour twice a day. She is sound at walk now, but wouldn't be at trot, and there is still a little bit of swelling.
I'll be getting the vet back in a couple of weeks. We're not going down the operation route - my mare has other soundness issues anyway, and is prone to colic, so I don't want to put her through a general anaesthetic at her age. I'm just hoping she'll come sound enough eventually to at least have a happy retirement, and if I can ever hack out again that will be a bonus.
I'd be interested to hear more from those who have had success with the resting approach. At what stage did you move from box rest to field turnout? Did you wait till the horse was sound at trot? Did you take shoes off? My farrier took her hind shoes off yesterday but her fronts need to stay on to keep her sound in front. He was very positive about the prognosis, which cheered me up a lot!
Lady Jane
Well-Known Member
My old boy was 22 when he developed annular ligament problems. He had steroid (I think) injections and came sound immediately each time. 3 days rest and then built up the work but never past gentle hacking. He had 3 of these injections and it got him through the next 5 years. I will say he was only very slightly lame and it sounds as though your horse was quite visibly lame? Good luck
windand rain
Well-Known Member
mine had surgery 17/18 years ago so things have certainly moved on. She also had a torn manica which took a long time to heal I think the surgery now tidies this up if it has happened but we had to restrict movement totally for 6 months with a years mixed box and walkinn rehab. She did have short bouts of lameness so we covered her (rare breed) the time she had off to have her foal she has been sound since. Gets a bit stiff but turmeric cures that so is still doing everything any horse does and is fit and happy at 23/24
AJ22
New User
Thanks. That's useful to hear. I have discussed steroid injections with the vet, and it is still an option, but there is the added risk of laminitis if you give them to ponies.
sam72431
Well-Known Member
Upon scanning it was found that my horse had thickening of the annular ligament, they couldn't see any further damage and neither could the surgeon so she was booked in as was sound following medication of the ligament.
Unfortunately when they went in they found much more damage (2X DDFT Tears and manica Flexoria needed to be removed) I don't want to be a merchant of doom but I would perhaps see if they can see any further damage further in. It is a funny one for me as I'm glad we did opt to operate rather than just medicate as we would never of known how much damage would of been sustained but at same time the damage is so significant would I of put her through all of this?! It is going to be a long road to recovery and we have had lots of bumps in the road. She is worth it and I am happy as long as she is even if she can never be ridden again I have given her a chance at life but I wish I would of known what was going on in there before opening her up! I think they can do deeper scans rather than just ultrasound but we didn't discuss this due to her being so sound. I hope this isn't the case for you as there is a really good recovery with annular ligament I think about 90% I think we have just been the unlucky 10% so good luck!
Unfortunately when they went in they found much more damage (2X DDFT Tears and manica Flexoria needed to be removed) I don't want to be a merchant of doom but I would perhaps see if they can see any further damage further in. It is a funny one for me as I'm glad we did opt to operate rather than just medicate as we would never of known how much damage would of been sustained but at same time the damage is so significant would I of put her through all of this?! It is going to be a long road to recovery and we have had lots of bumps in the road. She is worth it and I am happy as long as she is even if she can never be ridden again I have given her a chance at life but I wish I would of known what was going on in there before opening her up! I think they can do deeper scans rather than just ultrasound but we didn't discuss this due to her being so sound. I hope this isn't the case for you as there is a really good recovery with annular ligament I think about 90% I think we have just been the unlucky 10% so good luck!
sbloom
Well-Known Member
As always do look to the why, not just treating it....not seen feet even mentioned, and know of one case where the feet were TERRIBLE and the vet hadn't mentioned them and said that now the first had been operated on the second would fail and need doing at some point. When I mentioned this case to a hoofcare professional I really trust they said that it was so often hoof related, and I found stuff online at the time, though darned if I can find it now!
AJ22
New User
Thanks again for the new responses. The comments are all useful background for when I next speak to the vet.
Luckily she does have very good, balanced feet, so I don't think that has been an issue, but thanks for suggesting it - it hadn't occurred to me. This seemed to have occurred in the field and we think she must have slipped running downhill for her lunch. It was the week of all those storms so the ground was wet.
She has been scanned. The DDFT appeared to be fine, although sore from having pressure put on it from the thickening of annular ligament. I'm hoping there's nothing more serious that we couldn't see.
Sam, I hope that your horse does recover well eventually. Your sentence about her being worth it and not worrying if you never ride her again is exactly how I feel! It's so hard to know what's for the best, but my horse seems to be coping with the confinement relatively well.
We're going to keep going with the resting option for now, and scan again at some point.
Luckily she does have very good, balanced feet, so I don't think that has been an issue, but thanks for suggesting it - it hadn't occurred to me. This seemed to have occurred in the field and we think she must have slipped running downhill for her lunch. It was the week of all those storms so the ground was wet.
She has been scanned. The DDFT appeared to be fine, although sore from having pressure put on it from the thickening of annular ligament. I'm hoping there's nothing more serious that we couldn't see.
Sam, I hope that your horse does recover well eventually. Your sentence about her being worth it and not worrying if you never ride her again is exactly how I feel! It's so hard to know what's for the best, but my horse seems to be coping with the confinement relatively well.
We're going to keep going with the resting option for now, and scan again at some point.
sbloom
Well-Known Member
From what I can read hind annulars are more subject to injury, fronts more to repetitive strain type issues which end up with injury so would be more likely to be hoof related. Worth reading up as much as you can about feet, it's easy to see a neat foot and not realise it's not functioning well (I see it a lot but especially in shod horses).
Louby
Well-Known Member
Hi, she got injured in June, had the 4 weeks box rest with in hand walking, then the small pen. My vet didnt think she was a candidate for surgery at that time as it was mild but there was also a small suspensary branch injury too. She progressed really well, we made the pen larger, then she had a mad moment in the field and made matters much worse, her scan shown it had gone from 60mm to 90 odd mm and surgery was mentioned. We scanned 2 weeks later and the vet was amazed how much she had healed, taking us back to surgery is now not an option, she was barely 1/10th lame and he said I could ride her in walk for 20 mins a day but we agreed to turning her out with the other 2 to keep her sane which I did and on day 2 she got kicked off the other mare!! and ended up with a wound and was lame on the other leg too, hopefully all resolved now. So I havent been back on yet, I wanted to wait until her next scan which is next Thursday and Im hoping we will be able to start doing something as she is bored. She is back on her own again, I darent risk it and I feel mean. He did warn me that she could go back to square one at any point if she ran about and it truely feels like Im on an emotional rollercoaster. Ive kind of let go a bit, I had too, its been a really hard 12 weeks and Im thinking what will be will be as I cant glue her hooves to the ground so just have to hope we come through this.
On a plus note, the swelling is looking really good so fingers crossed.
Hope all goes well with your horse.