Annular ligament strains, outcome?

[Janah]

Please anyone with annular ligament strain in their horse/pony, what was the outcome?

My boy was diagnosed with anular ligament strain and is on box rest 'til spring. He is fine at the moment but wondering about a realistic outcome. The vet was very guarded in her prognosis. Any information on outcome/experiences appreciated.

 

[Littlelegs]

Yes, combined with suspensories in both hinds. Quite severe too, annular ligament close to snapping on one leg when I got her in, only hosing it for 40 mins saved it. She had 12mnths in total. 6mnths box rest, then 6mnths of turnout in a tiny paddock too small to get even a stride of canter in. And she was 18. Also had plenty of ultrasound, cartrophen & shock wave therapy. And she was 18. She made a full recovery. But, because of her age after consulting with the vet, I semi retired her. Previously she'd done a lot of affiliated & hunting, & at 14.2 she was at her physical upper limit competing wise. Vet basically said I could carry on & probably have a sound horse for longer, or tone it down. The main strain for mine is anything putting strain on her hinds. So while she's still fine to jump, I'm careful about flatwork. She'd still do fine in a novice test, but can't risk the training for anything higher, enough to win anyway. Still can do more at home, but only ask her too briefly to be consistent. Still capable of a bn, but being small she needs the flatwork to go clear round bigger senior courses. And hunting she's allowed to do in theory, but her idea of hunting is upfront jumping everything so I've given it a miss. She's ok for a kids hunter trial up to 3', but won't risk real xc anymore. Can still clear a 5bar gate from the field in trot though, just these days I won't do it ridden. She'll be 24 in spring, & the spring she's 25 I intend her doing pc with my daughter. That's how healthy she still is. And in all honesty, most of her limitations are imposed by me due to her age, rather than her capability.

 

[Fizz06]

My horse did his annular ligament last year. Vet advised box rest and injections, none of which really worked. Easter this year he had the op and was box rested for a further two weeks, turned out for four weeks and then in hand walking started. He was back in full work with no problems around four months after the operation....now he's gone and done the other leg, exactly the same thing, and we are going straight for the operation as it definitely works. He's 16 so no spring chicken but the operation was a fairly tidy job and worth it.