Desmopathy - any experience anyone?

[Crazydancer]

Hi, I wondered if anyone had any info or tips on this please? About 2.5 years ago my 14.2 ArabxWelsh was diagnosed with Desmopathy in both hind legs. He had been coming out of the stable in the morning hopping lame, but improved once he was out and moving about. He had a swelling at the base of the tendons on each hind but no heat. He was 15 at the time. The vet told me he would have to be retired, but that with rest, he might improve enough for the occasional light hack, and that he’d be best living out.
So after some rest, I did start riding again, once a month or so, just walking, but we have made progress, and I have done some nearly 2 hour hacks, with some trot and canter, on good ground. We have both become happy hackers, which is fine as we were never really competitive, only just fun stuff. I do miss schoolwork, but have a suspicion he doesn’t!!

I wondered if anyone else has been given this diagnosis, and the outcome?

Also wanted to know if this condition is now stable, or will he deteriorate as he get older?

Thanks for reading!

 

[star]

do you mean annular ligament desmitis/desmopathy?

my old horse has this - means he has big fat firm swellings above both hind fetlocks. he was 20 and i had him operated on to cut the ligaments as he was very lame. he went lame again 6mths into his recovery and then had 2yrs off followed by a yr of very light hacking. this summer i have been competing him again in veteran classes, he hacks out with plenty of canter work, we avoid hills as he finds them hard, he scuffs his hind toes so i have him shod to help this. he also pops over some little logs in the woods. He's now 24. The vet recently said he thought things would flare up if i tried to do more with him, but he's been doing more for the last 4mths and been fine so far despite the hard ground.

 

[Crazydancer]

Thanks Star, yes it sounds like the same thing! The swellings have all but gone, but I'm worried if I do too much it will set him back. I have a circular hack I can do, which takes about an hour, depending on how fast we go, but much of it is tarmac farm tracks or stony, so we only have one canter, and I was thinking about exploring a bit further afield. We could also get to Cannock Chase for some lovely hacking, but this would mean half hour in a box/trailer as well as the hack, so I haven't considered it until now.

If the swelling has gone, would you say the condition itself has improved (ie would not need surgery?) He had a previous hind problem (unrelated, in his hock) so the insurance has excluded any hind leg problem, so even if surgery could help, I would have to pay myself. As he has a good quality of life, I wouldn't want to put him through that if not really necessary. At the time of diagnosis, the vet did not think surgery would be an option, but I don't know why. (I was going through chemo at the time, his sharer was coping with this for me – hence the lack of info)

So I guess I’ll give it a try and see how he is – I’m thrilled he’s doing what he is tbh!!! And I love your horses, glad to hear your is still enjoying life!

Thanks for your reply, it has given me confidence to try a bit more.

 

[star]

mine has massive swellings still, i guess partly due to scar tissue from surgery. i'd say if swellings have gone then that's a good clue towards healing, BUT this condition is well known for recurring without surgery, so by all means try a bit more but be prepared that it could cause a flare-up which might be difficult to settle down again. I decided at 24 it was my last chance to have some fun with him (and my youngster went lame so I needed something to ride) - if this is his last summer of riding him then it doesn't really bother me but we're both havign such fun again that it's worth it!

 

[Crazydancer]

Thanks star, its good to hear of another horse that's still enjoying life. I will see what happens if we do a bit more, I do check his legs religiously for a few days after a ride, but as I said, I was quite surprised that a month or two back I couldn't feel any swelling at all. He's certainly enjoying living out too, and has a little 'herd' of 5 Welsh A/B/C's to play with, and has wintered out with them for the last 2 years without a rug, which he seems to be happy with too.

Thanks for your replies, and happy riding!