Collateral Ligament Damage

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Ranyhyn

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Just found out on some digging into Ed's past that he has this and has been advised to do no circles - so no schooling :( (really helpful with our recent troubles)...
 
Normally diagnosed using MRI. When was he diagnosed?
A good few years ago prognosis was extremely guarded with very few returning to any sort of work. This was because diagnosis tended to take a long time, by which point the damage had been exacerbated. Treatments were also few and far between and ineffective.
Prognosis for this injury now varies depending on the extent of injury, the treatment given, how quickly the diagnosis is made and other factors. Treatment can include box rest, field rest, irap, shock wave, joint injections, arthroscopy and neurectomy.
If you post this in vets you'll be told barefoot is the only way, it's certainly worth considering but I don't think it's for every horse. Certainly foot balance is very key though.
Again depending on your vet some are advised to avoid circle work (I was) as this reduces the chances of re-injury. However, other vets seem to take the approach that once healed you can carry on as before and I have heard stories of horses returning to jumping...
If you want anymore info feel free to PM.

Edited to add - if this is an old injury prior to when you got him I'd try not worry yourself.
 
Its an old injury, he failed a vet on it and was advised if ridden to do light roadwork and maybe some jumping.

The issue that I have now, is with my current dramas, I was looking to schooling as a way to get my confidence up - and with that written off, I just don't know what I am going to do re: getting my confidence back.
 
Is he currently sound? If he is sound I would imagine you could do work in the school just no circling. You could still practice transitions and basic obedience, you just have to be mindful of avoiding tight turns.
If he wasn't and it is definitely in the problem foot I'd be inclined to talk to the vet about trying joint injections as these can have a very positive outcome, especially if the lameness is mild. You could also consider different shoeing or barefoot, or possibly low doseage of bute/danilon. All of this is of course providing your vet is fairly certain the issue is his ligament.
 
He came to me unshod behind, excuse my ignorance, but can CLdamage happen on any leg? He has had periods of unsoundness, which now can be chalked up to this as its been when he's been ridden by his sharer and she's been schooling him (not hard as she's like me, a novice) He's 15 years old now and has always been stiff, but definitely more so lately.
I've been noticing things haven't been quite right, given him time to work the stiffness off, changed his bridle, changed his bit, had a pysio look at his back (no problems) but now I wonder if THATS down to the CL too?
He's had a very hard life, hunted from broken to 7, then shipped over here and competed.
 
I'm sure it can occur in all four legs but is rare in hind limbs from my knowledge. If I wear you I'd probably have a chat with my vet and see what he thought. Good luck though and try not to worry, it sounds like it should be ok with a bit of management.
 
My lad has it in both front coffin joints, his prognosis was rubbish, coupled with the fact that he had athroscopy to both stifles for OCD. Yes he really had his issues lol.

I had him on 9 months box rest - no taking out of stable at all, he had IRAP and shockwave at the beginning and then carried on with his box rest. After this he started going out in the field and horrifically galloping round and spinning and jumping, he was a nightmare then to bring back into work - not sure if it was just too early or his stifles hurting. We then did the stifle ops and he had another 6 weeks in (should have been 4 months but he wasn't having it!). Within 3 months and him going back out in the field I started riding him again. He was to do straight lines only - so hacking or in the school. He is now sound in trot in the school but I don't do circles.

I'm nervous too and he is still only 5 so a baby and the school has given me much more confidence than if I had to hack. Depending on the injury I would say you will never be able to jump, that is the worst thing you can do with this type of damage. I was told that once my lad had strengthened the muscles under saddle I would hopefully be able to do some dressage and showing - well this is what the hoped but I had no guarantee.

My friend's horse had this in only one foot and he can't do anything but hack, but then she didn't treat the problem, he just had a bit of box rest.

It's not the end of the world but I wouldn't expect him to be much more than a happy hacker. We are now using the sportsmax superfix and so far things are going really well. www.superfix.net
 
Its one of those injuries loads of horses have and have had, but not many know about it because it can only be diagnosed by MRI. If it is an old injury I really would just treat him as I would any horse with general foot problems. For me, this would mean not jumping (schooling should be OK if he's sound), avoiding hard ground and always keeping on top of his shoeing. If he does go lame and it doesn't come completely right in two - three weeks, the best thing to do with foot problems IME is to take the shoes off and turn away for six to twelve months, then start bringing him back again.
 
personally I would see if i could get hold of the vet that diagnosed and seek their professional opinion or have a review from your own trusted vet rather than seek advice here as each situation people will have had will be different to your own and your horse, Good luck!!
 
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