Fractured sesamoid - experiences please

[Niraf]

My friend's welsh pony has a fractured sesamoid in his near fore. He has been rested for 6 months and the vet says that the bone has not fused at all. He has recommended that the pony be rested a further 6 months in the hope that the bone pieces may become covered with cartilage and he may be able to be used as a lead rein pony in walk.

The pony only limps in the trot and the vet says that he is in no pain or discomfort and the pony's behaviour and attitude bear this out.

The vet says the pony is not a good candidate for surgery.

Does anyone have any experience with this condition and what was the eventual outcome ? Does anyone have any experience with the surgery being successful ?

 

[JoG]

I had a mare who fractured hers in a hindleg and had to have a lot of bone fragments removed with keyhole surgery which then caused some tendon/ligament problems.

She was sound enough for hacking but nothing else and sadly was a hopeless hack so was retired to stud

 

[hippo-horse]

My mare also fractured her near fore sesamoid,around 14 years ago. She was misdiagnosed as having injured her shoulder and the sesamoid injury was only picked up when we took her to get x-rays around 2 months later. I was told to keep her on box rest(impossible,she box walks when in and throws herself at the door)so put her in a tiny paddock with an elderly calm companion until she was sound enough to join the other horses in the big field,I think that was another 2 months. After that I started gentle exercise, and although I dont work her hard,there have been no further soundness issues. I hope your friends pony comes sound with time too.

 

[dieseldog]

Mine broke the wing/spur of the sesamoid off, as well as doing the suspensory on a front leg. Not sure if this is the same thing. She was terribly lame at the start, but after a week only 1/10th. The vet advised us to turn her out then. I started riding her after 6 months and she has been sound ever since - 2 years on - still jumping etc.