lucy1984
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any thoughts on de-nerving with regards to suspensory ligament damage?
De-nerving
- Thread starter lucy1984
- Start date
RachelB
Well-Known Member
Yes - that if the horse can't feel if it happens to damage itself further, how are you going to know?
lucy1984
Well-Known Member
Hi. He is a 16.3hh tb. He has been on box rest for a lengthy period and since 2 months ago I let him out to grass just on small areas -equivalent to 3 big stable sizes. I had it in mind to retire him because of this, he is 16. The swelling comes and goes. The area damaged has become hard. The fetlock? drops quite low to the ground. I will give him a year off and then see how he is then and whether I should retire him or not. During the day I have been bringing him in because bott flies chasing him around doesnt help the situation. I dont really know much about de-nerving it was just one of the options i got told. I really want to ride him! -its not that im selfish, its just that its my first horse (despite numerous loans) and we have bonded together so well. I bought him without taking a vet with me to check :-( so i havent had the chance to ride him yet. His health comes before anything to me so if it means that i have to retire him then thats what i will do.
Sammy**
Member
My horse has just had this op - she had severe damage to her hinds from her SJ career in Holland...
She is now in the process of being turned away for 7 weeks, then I can start riding her again, she had the op in July at Rossdales, and so far is showing a lot of improvement (shame that there is now a problem with the front end!)
Anyway it is only a very very small aea that the denerving affects so Andy Bathe told me that it' snot like a navicular de-nerving where they dont feel the leg - this is very different. If you want to know anything else feel free to PM me.
She is now in the process of being turned away for 7 weeks, then I can start riding her again, she had the op in July at Rossdales, and so far is showing a lot of improvement (shame that there is now a problem with the front end!)
Anyway it is only a very very small aea that the denerving affects so Andy Bathe told me that it' snot like a navicular de-nerving where they dont feel the leg - this is very different. If you want to know anything else feel free to PM me.
star
Well-Known Member
i think if his fetlock is dropping then i wouldn't denerve. for the fetlock to drop there has to be significant suspensory damage and if you then denerve, damage can continue to build up without the horse feeling it and eventually lead to a catastrophic rupture. i have seen denerving work for proximal suspensory desmitis with no outward signs on the leg, but i wouldn't even consider it for cases where the fetlock is losing its support.
AmyMay
Situation normal
I know two horses that have had this procedure done.
It's not a route I would go down as neither outcome was successful.
It's not a route I would go down as neither outcome was successful.
Touchwood
Well-Known Member
I certainly wouldn't want to ride a de nerved horse, it just doesn't sit comfortably with me.
To make your horse comfortable, then yes, maybe a good route to go - but Star makes a very good point.
To make your horse comfortable, then yes, maybe a good route to go - but Star makes a very good point.
foraday
Well-Known Member
I have taken many clients horses to Andy at Rossdales and all of them have been fine after and have gone on to have successful careers in their chosen field-dressage and SJ.
Over the last 3 years I must have taken 50 odd horses!
Get referred to Andy and he will be able to advise you the best way forward.
All the bilateral denervectomy does is cut the nerves that send the pain message back to the brain on the suspensories-the suspensories still swell up but the horse does not feel any pain so continues to work normally. It does not stop the horse from feeling his legs!
Good luck with your horse
Over the last 3 years I must have taken 50 odd horses!
Get referred to Andy and he will be able to advise you the best way forward.
All the bilateral denervectomy does is cut the nerves that send the pain message back to the brain on the suspensories-the suspensories still swell up but the horse does not feel any pain so continues to work normally. It does not stop the horse from feeling his legs!
Good luck with your horse
GatefieldHorses
Well-Known Member
I would NEVER have a horse de nerved. Fair enuff for 3 years he led a normal life, but one day his whole leg gave way and his hoof flipped up so he was walking on his fetlock. And as he couldnt feel anything, he was still trying to gallop round on it.