Do you have a horse with Suspensory Ligament Desmitis?

[Smudgyfox]

Hello, I am currently studying for a HND in Equine Management at Merrist Wood College in Surrey. For my final year dissertation project I am researching Desmitis of the suspensory ligaments. If you have a horse that has at any time been diagnosed with suspensory ligament Desmitis, please could you take the time to answer a few questions. It will really help with my project. Either reply to this thread with the answers, or if you would prefer to keep them private, please email me at: desmitisresearch@gmail.com.

I will treat all information as confidential.

Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation!

Amanda Smith.



1. Age of horse:

2. Sex of horse:

3. Breed of horse:

4. Main discipline of horse:

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes / No

6. If so, at what level?

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work
b) Jumping
c) Hacking
d) Lunging
e) Horse Walker
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis?

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden?

10. Which limb(s) are affected?

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion) / Body / Branches?

Thank you very much!!

 

[scotsmare]

I did have a horse with this problem so answers as follows:

1. Age of horse: 12

2. Sex of horse: Mare

3. Breed of horse: Hann x

4. Main discipline of horse: Eventing

5. Do you compete? Not any more - horse not sound enough

6. If so, at what level? Affiliated novice

7. Approximately what percentage of training time do you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work
b) Jumping
c) Hacking
d) Lunging
e) Horse Walker
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? approx 10 hrs per week

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? 50% hacking (roadwork), 50% indoor arena

10. Which limb(s) are affected? near fore

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion) / Body / Branches? Proximal

Horse unfortunately did not come sound enough after injury to withstand the previous level of work. Is now a broodmare.

 

[Smudgyfox]

Thank you very much for your quick reply!

I am really sorry your mare did not come sound enough to return to work. I am sure she is enjoying her retirement as a brood mare.

Amanda

 

[foolsgold]

Hello there,
1. 12
2.Gelding
3. TB
4. Hunting
5. Yes
6. Local level SJ
7. a) 10 %
b) 10 %
c) 80 %
others 0
8. 9 hours
9. grass
10. both hindlegs
11. proximal
Good luck with your dissertation!

 

[fingers_crossed]

1.13
2. gelding
3. x- bred - TB X welsh cob type coloured job
4. Eventing
5. Yes
6. BE novice
7. On average each week;lunge x1,hack x 2,jump x 1, Flat x 2/3, 1 day off. Until age 10 when we moved yard - horse walker 30 mins each day
8. 8/9 hours a week
9.Varied, at least 50 % sch0ol surface including waxed or rubber/sand mix,20% road work, 20% fields/grass
10. Both hind legs -right was worst
11. Proximal

Treated by neurectemy and fasciotemy. Then made a full recovery, but 16 months later developed arthritis in his stifles so now hacks/shows/does UA dressage very happily, but did not stay sound to event.

 

[angiebaby]

1. 12
2. gelding
3. welsh sec d
4. hacking/pleasure rides
5. no
6. na
7. hacking 100%

8. approx 12 hours a week
9. approx 30% road 70% bridleways/farm tracks
10. left hind
11. proximal
Also treated by neurectomy and fasciotomy October 2007; has been sound since and back to being a happy hacker

 

[Smudgyfox]

Thank you all!! That's really very helpful!

 

[angela_l_b]

1. Age of horse: 11

2. Sex of horse: G

3. Breed of horse: ISH

4. Main discipline of horse: Eventing

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes

6. If so, at what level? PN eventing

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 25%
b) Jumping 25%
c) Hacking 40%
d) Lunging 10%
e) Horse Walker
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? 7

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? Sand school / roads / bridlepaths

10. Which limb(s) are affected? Right hind

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion)

 

[AandK]

1. Age of horse: 11

2. Sex of horse: Gelding

3. Breed of horse: Irish TB

4. Main discipline of horse: Eventing

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes

6. If so, at what level? Pre-Novice

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 60%
b) Jumping 15%
c) Hacking 20%
d) Lunging 5%
e) Horse Walker 0%
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy 0%

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? Approx 6/7hrs a week over 5/6 days

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? Sand/rubber arena

10. Which limb(s) are affected? Off hind

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Branch onto inside of fetlock

Injury was diagnosed June 2008. Horse had course of shockwave, adequan, box rest and controlled exercise. Horse is now sound and jumping again. Planning to Event albiet not as much as prior to injury due to risk of re-injury. Event entered for end of July.

 

[Halfpass]

[ QUOTE ]
Horse is question isn't alive now but was an interesting case so here goes. Hope it helps



1. Age of horse: 4

2. Sex of horse: Mare

3. Breed of horse: Warmblood

4. Main discipline of horse: Just backed

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? No

6. If so, at what level?

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 20 - 30 mins twice a week
b) Jumping 0
c) Hacking 20 - 30 mins twice a weeks
d) Lunging once a week for 10 - 15 mins
e) Horse Walker 0
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy 0

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? 1-2

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? good rubber / sand mix

10. Which limb(s) are affected? hind

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal


The horse in question had shock wave and 4 months box rest which did not improve her at all. Vets prognosis was very very poor she was 6/10th's lame bilateraly before shockwave which had only improved to 5/10th's after.
She was due to be an embryo transfer mare and have a year or two off and be reasessed but sadly had to be PTS after an acident.

Hope my info helps with your dissertation.

 

[deecee]

1. 15

2. Gelding

3. Shire x tb

4. WH SJ

5. Yes

6. County

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work = 40mins x 2 a week
b) Jumping = varies
c) Hacking = 4 times a week up to 2 hours a day
d) Lunging = 20 mins once or twice a week
e) Horse Walker = 0
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy = 0

8. about 7 - 9 hours a week

9. sand tarmac and tracks

10. Both hindlegs

11. Proximal

Is now at reabilitation clinic after 2 months box rest

I have some scans and xrays if you like

 

[Smudgyfox]

I'm really pleased with the amount of responses! Thank you all so much.

Good luck AandK with your event, I really hope your horse stays sound.

Halfpass, I'm very sorry to hear the outcome for your horse wasn't good. Thank you for sharing your information.

lisadee, I hope your horse recovers well at the rehab clinic. Any copies of scans etc would be amazing, do you have them electronically?

Amanda

 

[AandK]

thanks, i hope so too!
btw horse was 11 when he was injured, he is 12 now! (couldn't edit post as left it too long

)

 

[deecee]

yep pm me with your email address and i will let you have them

 

[deecee]

durr just spotted it lol there are on there way!!!

 

[Smudgyfox]

haha!! Thank you very much!

 

[deecee]

have you got it?

 

[Smudgyfox]

Yes that's absolutely brilliant, thank you!!

 

[deecee]

Welcome good luck!!!

 

[star]

1. Age of horse: 16

2. Sex of horse: gelding

3. Breed of horse: Welsh Section D

4. Main discipline of horse: Dressage

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes

6. If so, at what level? Elementary/2ft6 show-jumping

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 50%
b) Jumping 10%
c) Hacking 40%
d) Lunging 0%
e) Horse Walker 0%
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy 0%

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? 4

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? sand

10. Which limb(s) are affected? right hind

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion)

 

[ihatework]

1. Age of horse: 6 at off hind injury, 11 at near hind injury. currently 13

2. Sex of horse: gelding

3. Breed of horse: BWB x TB

4. Main discipline of horse: Eventing/Dressage

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes

6. If so, at what level? Prior to first injury as 6yo BE Novice. Post 6yo injury and prior 11yo BE OPN and Nov/Elem dressage

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on: Cannot answer pre-6yo, between 7-11yo answered below

a) Flat work 35%
b) Jumping 10%
c) Hacking 50%
d) Lunging 5%
e) Horse Walker 0%
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy 0%

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? 6h

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? mixture

10. Which limb(s) are affected? off hind as 6yo, near hind as 11yo

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion) / Body / Branches? Proximal for both

 

[Nels]

1. Age of horse: 7

2. Sex of horse: Gelding

3. Breed of horse: Trakehner

4. Main discipline of horse: Riding Club dressage/jumping

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes

6. If so, at what level? Riding Club (very low level)

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 40%
b) Jumping 10%
c) Hacking 40%
d) Lunging 10%
e) Horse Walker 0%
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy 0%

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? 8 hours max

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? Hacking and rubber/sand mix

10. Which limb(s) are affected? Near fore

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion) / Body / Branches? Proximal

Horse suffered same injury twice in same leg and same area of ligament - aged 5 and 6. First time had 3 months box rest, shockwave therapy, cartrophen injections and in-hand walking twice a day. Remained sound for 6 months then after second injury we repeated same treatment but with added PRP injection into ligament. Horse has now been sound for 9 months and back in full work. Both times this injury was not sustained through ridden work, but by galloping around the field with the herd and fallling over (very clumsy animal!). Since being brought back slowly into work he is now penned off separately from other horses to minimise chance of injury reoccuring via turnout.

Hope that helps! x

 

[sare_bear]

Hi, I have a horse with this problem, answers as follows.



1. Age of horse: 5 yo when occured now 7

2. Sex of horse: Gelding

3. Breed of horse: ISH

4. Main discipline of horse: Was purchased to event and hunt, but only cubbed twice and no eventing. Hence mostly hacking prior to injury.

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? Yes

6. If so, at what level? Just starting out, prelim dressage.

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 25%
b) Jumping 5%
c) Hacking 60%
d) Lunging 5%
e) Horse Walker 5%
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy 0%

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? Approx 6 hours

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden?
Roads and grass hacking, sand school for the rest.

10. Which limb(s) are affected? Right and left forelimbs


11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion) / Body / Branches? Both are proximal.

We feel that this is an hereditary problem, and has had 2 years off (although not needed) and is just doing the walking work and holding sound.

 

[lensmith7]

[ QUOTE ]
1. Age of horse:9

2. Sex of horse:m

3. Breed of horse:angloarab

4. Main discipline of horse:general riding

5. Prior to the injury, did you compete? No

6. If so, at what level?

7. Prior to the injury, approximately what percentage of training time did you and your horse spend on:

a) Flat work 50%
b) Jumping
c) Hacking 50%
d) Lunging
e) Horse Walker
f) Swimming / Hydrotherapy

8. How many hours a week was the horse ridden prior to diagnosis? about 7

9. On what surface(s) was the horse mainly ridden? sand/road

10. Which limb(s) are affected? right hind

11. What area(s) of the suspensory ligament is affected: Proximal (upper portion) & Body



[/ QUOTE ]

She's into week 10 of treatment, Had neurectomy and platelet rich plasma injected into main boby leision. 1st scan looked good, 2nd in 3 weeks. Is sound in both walk and trot, up to 20 mins walking twice a day.

I'll only ever hack her now though, just hope she stays sound to do that. Vet was VERY surprised at severity of injury, and said he'd never seen one like this in a general riding horse, only in race horses. Trust Josie!!!

 

[Smudgyfox]

Thank you all, that's really useful information.