Bringing back into work after tendon injury

[Christmas Crumpet]

Further to my various posts re: tendons and backs..(!) I was just curious to know how others had brought their horses back into work after a tendon injury.

My horse had 9 months off and a complete thumbs up from the vet after a scan before I started walking again. I did 2 months of walking road work before starting trotting. We are just about ready to start doing a bit of fast work but am rather nervous about it!!

 

[FigJam]

Hope you don't mind, but I will be watching for answers with interest! My mare had a tendon sheath/annular ligament injury in March which involved a lot of box rest. We're only now coming towards the end of our 6-8weeks road work in straight lines in walk.

In one way I can't wait to get on and get doing more, but in other ways I'm terrified it all goes downhill again and just don't quite know the best way of re-introducing everything and knowing exactly how fast/slow to take it all.

You never know 'til you try though, do you?!

Good luck with the recuperation!

 

[kerilli]

i always play it very gently by ear. for instance i would try to have a nice gentle straight-line canter for 30-40 secs out on a hack, once or twice maybe, after a good warm up, and then see if the leg reacted at all that night. if not, step it up a bit more.
good luck!

 

[cyearsley]

Added to other post but thought would update this one just in case! My horse had suspected injury to DDFT in hind leg though ultrasounds were inconclusive they believe it to be soft tissue injury around the tendon sheath area. Had two weeks living at hydratherapy spa, then much improved so home for 6 weeks on box/pen rest with walking in hand increasing to 20 mins over a six week period and doing flexion exercises and weekly cartrophen injections. After 8 weeks was virtually sound (less than 1/10 lame) walked for 4 weeks, increasing from 25 mins at 5 mins per week. Now up to 40 mins walk and increasing trotting by 5 mins per week. Am currently upto 6 mins trot with my 40 mins walk. Have a check up in 2/3 weeks before progression to canter (touch wood, cross fingers etc etc).

Best tip ever - vet advised riding on sedaline if I needed to (found this out after had been riding for a week - low dose but enough to take edge off) until horse relaxed, confident and happy. Best thing I ever did, after five rides out initially, I had progressed to alcahol for dutch courage and he was getting more excited not calmer!! Used sedaline until more confident and happy and now hacking out on our own, on grass, bridleways and in traffic and he is like his old self. This was by far the safest option for my horse as he is a bit green and quite enthusiastic, and I now look forward to riding again and still smile on every ride because its good to have him back. Initially they said 9-12 months so am so chuffed but still worry about every slip or stumble or slightest bit of puffiness!

 

[kerilli]

CLY - how much sedalin do you use, out of interest? thankyou.

 

[cyearsley]

My horse is a big chap, around 16.2hh and prob about 650k (though porkier at mo due to lack of exercise!) I started on 3 ml (think the syringes are in ml) for a week and weather was windy etc as he was quite full of himself, then reduced it to 2 which was perfect. Did that for another week or so and have cut it out now. I stick him in his pen for 2-3 hrs in the morn and ride at lunch time when hes feeling full of grass and lazy from being in the sun which also helps. I would bring him in at lunch, give him his sedaline and then leave him half an hour (I know they say give on an empty stomach for max effect but I gave it to him on a stomach full of grass and as long as he relaxed and stood there quietly, it worked well). Now have cut it out but would still consider it if was windy or had had a day off etc until he gets out of confinement. Luckily insurance company covering vets bills which includes the sedaline as is about £18 a tube. Just realised have waffled on and on - sorry!

 

[kerilli]

that's great, just what i wanted to know. thanks so much, much appreciated.

 

[darksecret99]

I'm going to ride my horse for the first time today after about a month off (not total box rest - but he only goes out mornings anyway) with a minor tendon strain in a hind leg....

He trotted up sound on monday, but I have waited till today cos he is being shod with special shoes on the back for extra support...

I was expecting the vet to say hacking only for a while, but he said no hacking for the first 10 days (due to concussion) and to ride in the school - walk trot and canter is fine, just make sure to warm up well, no sudden turns, starts stops etc.... seems odd to me!!!

Am going to err on the side of caution and just walk and maybe have a little trot this eve - but he has been leaping and cantering in his paddock the past few days and generally being rather cheeky (despite being on a calmer) and doesnt seem any worse for it, so I figure that some (hopefully!!!) contolled energy release will be better than putting it off any longer and him going loopy and doing himself more damage!!!!

Will just have to play it by ear!!!

Fingers crossed!!

Good luck with yours!!