Check Ligament injury

[CazD]

my horse was diagnosed two weeks ago with a check ligament injury. The vet came out and scanned the leg and gave me bute for her and told me to cold hose the leg twice a day. The vet recommended not keeping the horse in as she is very stressy and just stands kicking the door. Instead I was told to keep her in a small paddock with a quiet friend.

The vet has told me to make an appointment for 6-8 weeks time for a further scan. I've been given enough bute for about two weeks - how long should I be cold hosing the leg for? Should it be for the next 6-8 weeks or just for a couple of weeks? The swelling has gone down slightly but is still there.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Hi,
Plenty of experience in this injury
I cold water hosed until the heat had gone. The swelling is unlikely to completely disappear but will become firmer as it heals.

 

[Birker2020]

Ice cups are much better than cold hosing providing you keep the cup moving over the leg to prevent freeze burn. Just get some polystyrene cups, fill with water and freeze. Just put the cup on the injury holding the bottom of it with your hand and run it up and down on the leg. When the ice starts to melt just peel the polystyrene cup downwards as you go. Dead easy, dead cheap - poundsaver and wilkinsons and similiar will charge you £1 for 50 or 100 cups. All you need is a freezer on your yard, or take them out of your freezer and drive to your yard. If it is a mild day they will be pretty frozen for about 20 mins. Its the heat radiating from the injury and the body temp of the horse that melts the ice. My mate who is studying equine physio and is now in her second year has a tutor who recommended this, as it is better than ice packs AND cold hosing.

Here is a link and a photo of an ice cup in action!!!

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=c0UMv...;q=&f=false

 

[Izzwizz]

A horse I know had this injury in March after doing a cross country. 3 months box rest and bute, cant remember how long bute was given for. Think she cold hosed for a time, then walking in hand and 2 scans. Horse been back in work for 6 wks and doing well, I have been riding him for her. The area on the leg has been left with a thickened feeling but is no bother.

Good luck with yours.

 

[emmawilliams17]

Hi my horse has similar injury at the moment. Just wondered what your vet had suggested with regards to bandages and boots. I have been been bandaging in the stable and using sports boots for walking/turnout but he has developed pressure sores so I had to leave them off overnight. His leg is now more swollen than before especially around fetlock but this does go down after exercise.