Cannon Bone fracture

[HuT]

How long would you expect a horse to take to recover from a cannon bone fracture? What sort of rehab program would you recommend?

 

[Birker2020]

From what I've heard/read if its a hairline fracture they are normally cross tied in a stable with a full limb bandage for 6-12 weeks with access to hay and water in front of them so they don't move around to much. With a fiery type of horse it would probably have to be sedated, as not all horses would tolerate being crossed tied for so long. Problems occur when they shift weight to the opposite limb as this can lead to laminitis and other problems with feet/legs and muscles. I think its normally a few months before they can go out in the field, but it depends what sort of fracture and how complicated it is. There was a famous racehorse called Barbaro who fractured his leg. He was a stallion and they wanted to keep him for future breeding as he had good blood lines. He was cross tied and also slung. He developed laminitis and eventually it was so bad he had to be destroyed.

Also to consider is how much time you could commit to such a treatment. If for example you had your own set up and were at work all day it wouldn't be advisable to leave a horse cross tied without anyone being about.

I guess if its a young horse all the box rest/cross tying would be worth doing. But if its an old horse and it had arthritis for example it wouldn't be a suitable candidate for this type of treatment as its arthritis would be compromised by its lack of movement and it possibly wouldn't be fair to put it through all that. (That's only my opinion - I am not professional and have never been through this thank goodness).

The vet would advise on a rehab programme nearer the time but this would also be determined on progress which would be evaluated with x-rays. Sorry I don't mean to be all doom and gloom. Its a hard decision to make I think. Good luck.

 

[Rollin]

How long would you expect a horse to take to recover from a cannon bone fracture? What sort of rehab program would you recommend?

My Shagya mare was kicked in the field 8 weeks before she should have jumped at National Championships at Fontainebleau.

My normal vet was on holiday, another vet came, said she needed surgery. I sent the x-rays to Rossdales, with whom we have an account. They said don't operate before having a second opinion, she will be off work for a very long time and anaethesia carries a risk. We got second opinion, it was a hair line fracture, she was not even lame. Anti-inflammatory, turnout with bandages and 6 weeks off work.

She jumped another two clear rounds that season.

Jumped brilliantly last summer and jumped her first 1.15M at Haras du Pins three weeks ago.

If it is just a hair line fracture, she should be fine. How bad is the fracture?

 

[Dru]

My horse has a spiral fracture of her cannon bone. We're nearly 5 weeks since it first showing on x-rays and she's been in horsepital all that time. Vet said a normal fracture heals in 6 weeks but mine will take longer as not normal. She's due home in a few weeks to finish her recovery with the expectation that it'll be another few months on box rest. If it heals she'll be better than new apparently.

She hasn't been cross tied at all. She has a huge Robert Jones bandage on and can move around and lie down. Her other leg has a support boot on to protect against laminitis.

 

[HuT]

Hairline facture. She is now back in work after 8 weeks off. Totally sound and seems to show no ill effect at all

 

[HuT]

My horse was just on box rest for 2 weeks and then started hand walking 3 times per day for the next 6 weeks. Iced every day for the first 4 weeks. It seems like the prescribed treatment is very different from every vet. We xrayed again at 8 weeks and you cant even see the fracture