Annular ligament problem - Exercise?

J

Janesomerset

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 January 2009
Messages
560
Visit site
Hoping to hear from anyone who's been in a similar position to ours. Our pony has a thickened annular ligament on his off hind. It is thicker on one side than the other and is pressing against the tendon on that side. Our vet doesn't want to operate at the moment and said gentle in-hand exercise was good. Our livery yard is at the top of a steep hill, so every time we walk him out, we have no choice at all but to go down (and come back up) this hill. What have other people been advised? We don't know whether he would be better in his diet paddock, which is flat, but then he would not get the exercise he needs to keep in trim. Bit of a Catch 22. We would be grateful for any input, thank you.
 
From experience neither rest nor exercise helped my horse with a thickened annular ligament. In the end the vet operated cutting the ligament recovery was not too long and she came back into full work and has been fine since. That was about 2 years ago.
 
My little horse had this problem two years ago aswell. Initial treatment (which included having to walk out up/down hill because of venue) did not work but she was refered to another practice where she had a scan and was remedially shod to improve her foot balance followed by steroid and hyalaurin (sp?) injections into the fetlock joint area.I removed her from that farm and found another more suitable stable/barn/grazing locally. We then went through rehab with 6 weeks box rest, initially walking in hand for 10mins at a time, after 4 weeks we progressed to ridden exercise and at this time she was allowed limited turnout. Luckily all went really well and she was pronounced fit and well just before Christmas2010. The following year she did a full seasons work including competing at the Trec Champs on Dartmoor and this year we have competed at both dressage and Trec. Just follow the rehab instructions to the letter and be extremely careful when you first turn your horse out. A friend had her horse operated on and the conclusion has not been so succesful, but, of course, every case is different and every vet has their prefered method of treatment.
 
contestdancer, thank you very much for your reply. Our pony is the same in that neither walking nor resting seem to make a difference. Our vet said he would most probably need to operate but wanted to wait till closer to winter, when the stables are cooler for box rest (our stables get very hot in a "normal" summer) and also when there are no flies around. I'm wondering whether to walk or not walk in the meantime. Think I will just have to play it by ear, day by day. Our boy is always quite willing to go for a walk, so unless he's having a really bad day, we'll probably pootle around. Glad your mare is doing well.
 
J&S, thank you very much; glad to hear your horse is doing so well. I wouldn't mind if ours came just sound enough to enjoy life! We may have to move yards, as it seems ours will be going up for sale and it's more likely to go to a private buyer than be sold as a going concern. We are gutted, as we have a little diet paddock there, which our boy uses in the morning, then in the afternoon he goes in the big field with his friends. Most of the horses, including ours, have been there for several years. The last thing I want is our boy hooleying around because he is in a new place. This adds to our dilemma. I will have to wait and see what happens and then talk to our vet...it might be better if our vet operated and then kept him at his rehab yard for box rest, then he could go straight on to a new yard if we have to move. It's such a worry. The only tiny consolation is I could look for a flatter area (not many round here though!) I will ask our vet about injections. He has only mentioned cutting the ligament as a possible solution. Thanks again!
 
When my horse was operated i think it was May time. I cant remember exactly how long box rest was but the vet did allow her to walk out for a few minutes for grass several times a day. After at least 2/3 weeks i fenced off a very very tiny area in the paddock and let her out there -she just ate grass. The leg had a dressing on it until the stitches came out so flies not a problem but had to make sure the wound did not get too hot and sweaty in the heat. The dressing was changed every 2-3 days. The wound healed fine and have not had a problem since. Back in full work now - i think the op was about 2 and half years ago now. We had tried raised heel shoes too prior to the op to see if would help but didnt work for her.
 
Thank you, contestdancer; that gives me some hope! Our boy is quite good on box rest, but if we have to move yards, he will get totally hyped-up, as I have kept him at our current yard all his life. We will know next month re the yard...can't really make a decision if/when to operate until then.
 
Hi again, just a word of warning re waiting too long, although this may NOT apply if you are operating - we were definitely advised not to hang around before arranging the scan and 2nd treatment after the first lot was unsuccesful. I actually engineeered our move to suitable premises and took her there straight from the vet's practice. She had never been in a stable for long let alone being on box rest before so I was quite nervous about how she would re-act but with loads of TLC and distractions we got through with just one or two minor stressy moments! Please check with your vet that delaying will not harm the outcome for your horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top