Annular ligament surgery

[SEL]

The microcob is currently running up her hotel bills at the vets. In the run up to this I spotted some odd hoof growth and when her mass of feather was taken off it was obvious she wasn't completely sound. She's a sweetie and isn't one to complain and apparently the vets have had to work her for a while before she decided to tell them where it hurt.

Her right hind has always been a bit wonky - likely from birth. Its never obviously given her issues but then she's really just done having babies and low level stuff with children so probably not put under any pressure. She blocked to it at the vets though and there is considerable thickening of the annular ligament. There's a few other issues probably caused by a field accident a few weeks back (she misjudged her brakes and skidded on her bum into a fence line.....) so she'll be on box / pen rest for 8 weeks anyway.

Vet has suggested surgery. I've said no because I need to see if the bills from the past 2 days will be paid by the insurers first and tbh it seemed a bit excessive for a freebie 13h pony (who I've already had a wind operation on - I don't think she's going to be insurable again). Reading on here though it does sound like a surgery that has a really good success rate. Anyone had it done recently and feel like telling me their thoughts? Also how much £££

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

I can't remember how much it cost as insurance paid but it was under 5k as that was my claim limit. The surgery was successful and the mare is leading an active life. If your insurance will pay I would give it a go, don't forget once you know about the condition the clock is ticking and you only have 12 months to get this resolved.

 

[AandK]

My now 25yo had the op when he was 18. His annular issue was secondary to an injury to the distal sesamoidian ligament, he had it injected with PRP during the op. Op was mid August. He had 2 weeks total box rest until stitches out, then into a pen 24/7 with in hand walking, starting at 5min a day, up to 30min by week 6. Next was a check up and scan, DS lig was healing well and he was only 0.5/10 lame, he then had 2 months field rest after which he was declared sound and ready to come back to work. Vet said if it was just the annular he would have been able to carry on back to work after the 6 week mark, the additional rest was for the DS lig injury. He made a full return to work, low level eventing, until he retired 3yrs ago for something unrelated.
ETA, I think the total was about £4.5k? This was including the PRP and extra drugs as he had a seizure coming round from the GA.

 

[meleeka]

Mine had it done but not recently. By far the worst thing was the handwalking after and that alone would put me off having it done again. You can’t be half hearted about it or it won’t heal properly. My cob was a saint on box rest but coming out for a walk was a different matter!

Once it was all done (he didn’t come sound and was still very swollen so a course of bute followed, and a bone chip, but it wasn’t thought that was causing the problem) he’s remained sound on it.

 

[Chuffy99]

Yes had two different ponies operated on and 100% success with both and both came back to do pc teams etc, was many years ago so can’t remember cost

 

[SEL]

Mine had it done but not recently. By far the worst thing was the handwalking after and that alone would put me off having it done again. You can’t be half hearted about it or it won’t heal properly. My cob was a saint on box rest but coming out for a walk was a different matter!

I've box rested this one before after wind surgery (she likes to spend my money at the vets) and she was a little superstar both in the box and walking out so I'm not too worried about that if it means she'll be able to do more. She's only 10 so that hopefully works in her favour.

Yes had two different ponies operated on and 100% success with both and both came back to do pc teams etc, was many years ago so can’t remember cost

That's good to know - decent fast work then. Can't see the point if it would just maintain her at light hack status.

Thanks everyone. I'll see what the past 48 hours have cost me and then have another chat with the vet. I suppose it depends on whether that wonky foot will affect her recovery from the surgery too.

One day I'll find a unicorn that doesn't break

 

[ester]

There’s quite a few old threads on here when I was considering it (vets didn’t really recommend it)
We didn’t operate, it was worse on his opposite leg to spavin (think 4x normal and 2x other side). We did steroid injections, he moved from the hills of wilts to the Somerset flat lands and just hacked from then on (he was 24, we’d hunted that season, 29 this year) and doesn’t appear to have bothered him particularly in the meantime

 

[SEL]

There’s quite a few old threads on here when I was considering it (vets didn’t really recommend it)
We didn’t operate, it was worse on his opposite leg to spavin (think 4x normal and 2x other side). We did steroid injections, he moved from the hills of wilts to the Somerset flat lands and just hacked from then on (he was 24, we’d hunted that season, 29 this year) and doesn’t appear to have bothered him particularly in the meantime

Its a difficult one. Until this week I wouldn't have said it was bothering her but when they did the nerve block there was a big difference apparently. She's done the check ligament in the opposite foreleg so she's heading home for rehab on that while I have a think. Steroids aren't an option due to what's going on there so its surgery or leave alone and see if its recently become a problem due to hurting herself elsewhere.

Money will have to come into the equation as well sadly. Need to buy that winning lottery ticket

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

12hh Section A did hers in April last year. Operated on in May last year. Back in full work Sept and has been hunting all winter and doing pc stuff. Cost £2,500. 100% worth it.

 

[daffy44]

Hi, I had a mare that had the annular ligament surgery, it was very straightforward, and as I remember, not too long a recovery and rehab process, I cant remember the cost, sorry, the insurance paid for it all. The horse in question healed very well, she was a good candidate as she had no other issues, and she went on to compete at GP dressage, and the hind legs never caused her any bother post surgery her entire life.

 

[tda]

I didn't have my mare operated on, I couldn't afford it at the time so she was just turned away (which was one of the options from the vet) she was field sound for years after, but never came back into work successfully

 

[gregory123]

Mine had surgery in March last year. Bill was around 2600. Had the torn manica removed as well. Straightforward rehab. Was back doing fun rides and cantering/jumping by august and he’s been hunting most of the winter. I don’t do any schooling/circle work and no lunging or horse walker to protect that leg and I am picky about the ground I hunt him on and don’t overdo it. So far so good. I’d do the surgery again even considering how much of a vet phobic nightmare he is.

 

[pistolpete]

I know of three. Two did well one didn’t so good odds I guess.

 

[SEL]

There's a lot more positive stories than I was expecting!