Birker2020
Well-Known Member
I basically have a 17.1hh horse who turned 15 yesterday. He was diagnosed with a slight sprain of his suspensory ligament branch in June last year. Since then he's received all sorts of treatment including shock wave and PRP and is schooling, and hacking 6 times a week. He is completely sound as the vet came out last month to flexion test him and scan him and said he wouldn't need to scan him as he could see he was sound (has had 4 already). He is pleased with him and said I was okay to push on with him.
He had his hocks fused about 6 weeks ago which has helped with his over compensation on his front limbs and the physio is pleased with his progress. I've done a couple of dressage shows with him and he got placed on the last one and we've qualified for the second round.
I really want to start jumping him again, so as my physio suggested doing I have done pole work sessions with him (four to date) the last one being yesterday when we did a grid of canter poles with a small cross pole, he highest we've done since his injury - all of 2ft. The vet said I would need to 'see what happens' when I jump him and is happy with the fact that his leg that comes up after work so long as it dissapears again with the application of ice (swelling due to blood vessels expanding presumably) or with being walked around (as with wingalls). His leg is down when I take of his bandages after exercise but then comes up within five minutes, but then goes down if I put him on the walker, or walked him in hand or put an ice boot on him. I'd like to either take him jumping (small 2ft/2ft 3) on a surface or to a fun ride on the weekend of the 21st/22nd April and just do a couple of small logs (under 2ft 3) but I am unsure of whether this is pushing him too soon and I am worried about the undulating terrain putting a strain on his ligament.
On Saturday my friend rode him in the school and he was completely sound on both reins in walk, trot and canter so I am delighted with his progress.
What would you do? Would you wait some more weeks before jumping him or would you try and see what happens as the vet suggested but only on a surface? Or would you continue to do pole work at home and concentrate of dressage for the time being. I am so confused and worried about hurting his leg as the vet said he had 40% chance of reoccurence of the injury.
Your thoughts would be most welcome.
He had his hocks fused about 6 weeks ago which has helped with his over compensation on his front limbs and the physio is pleased with his progress. I've done a couple of dressage shows with him and he got placed on the last one and we've qualified for the second round.
I really want to start jumping him again, so as my physio suggested doing I have done pole work sessions with him (four to date) the last one being yesterday when we did a grid of canter poles with a small cross pole, he highest we've done since his injury - all of 2ft. The vet said I would need to 'see what happens' when I jump him and is happy with the fact that his leg that comes up after work so long as it dissapears again with the application of ice (swelling due to blood vessels expanding presumably) or with being walked around (as with wingalls). His leg is down when I take of his bandages after exercise but then comes up within five minutes, but then goes down if I put him on the walker, or walked him in hand or put an ice boot on him. I'd like to either take him jumping (small 2ft/2ft 3) on a surface or to a fun ride on the weekend of the 21st/22nd April and just do a couple of small logs (under 2ft 3) but I am unsure of whether this is pushing him too soon and I am worried about the undulating terrain putting a strain on his ligament.
On Saturday my friend rode him in the school and he was completely sound on both reins in walk, trot and canter so I am delighted with his progress.
What would you do? Would you wait some more weeks before jumping him or would you try and see what happens as the vet suggested but only on a surface? Or would you continue to do pole work at home and concentrate of dressage for the time being. I am so confused and worried about hurting his leg as the vet said he had 40% chance of reoccurence of the injury.
Your thoughts would be most welcome.
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