Has anyone any experience of suspensory ligament (hind) damage

My boy had a left hind suspensory injury a few years ago which he fully recovered from. Unfortunately he has gone on to other injuries since which prevent him jumping but the left hind suspensory is fine. He was brought back into work very very slowly and carefully with lots of hacking and walking in straight lines. Good luck.
 
We have a mare that had this with her previous owner she had all shockwave and heatwave treament, you name it she had it, but the lady then sold her as a broodmare as she thought she would never be sound again, and she wanted her for good level dressage, we bought her had her leg scanned all clear,never been lame,fully rideable but we do only have her as broodmare
 
Friend had a horse that had a bad hind suspensory injury and the vet recommended egg bar shoes behind which she wore for the rest of her life. She was only ever a happy hacker back came back into full work for another 10 years before finally breaking down in front.
 
One of mine did his hind suspensory in some years back. He was an advanced medium schoolmaster and had been an eventer before that and he didn't do his leg in till he was about 21 and had been in full work till then. The only treatment he had was box rest and bandaged and then limited turnout. Took about a year, but then we left him over the second winter till Spring. He is now about 24 and you can hack him happily and school him for half an hour or so at a time, though I don't do too much and he would still be able to do a simple dressage test, though you couldn't compete regularly. He can still do passage and flying changes but I only do that now and again as a sort of little treat. It's possible he could do more, but I err on the side of caution.

He did his leg right at the end of the ligament where it divides into two and he only did one branch of that. He has natural balance shoes, but that's not because of the ligament. I think eggbars give more support.

However, someone else I know was not so lucky. She had a youngster and brought it on for dressage, it did both (I think) legs in below the hock, had surgery and seemed fine, but eventually went again and ended up a brood mare. She wasn't very old, either.
 
My mare did her hind suspensory ligament about this time last year - the strain was such that it fractured her leg. She spent about 2 months on box rest with shockwave therapy which healed the fracture, but she was still lame. She went into hospital last October for a neurectomy operation, followed by another 3 months box rest. She would have had spa treatment too but she is terrified of water!

She started coming back into work in Jan, 5 minute walks, in straight lines, no turnout. We started lessons again last week, and she seems to be absolutely fine. Its so tempting to rush the rehab, but so worth wait by taking it slowly.
 
Mine had PSD, she had the operation and was fixed. The day before our first show back she came in from the field lame, now done her front suspensory.
 
About three yrs ago mine did 3 suspensory's one back 2 front. The back one healed well but one of the front never healed properly and though we gave him 2 yrs off. Got him fit again slowly and carefully he broke again, and now needs to have another rest be4 becoming a happy hacker and maybe a bit of dressage.
I would say make sure your friend gets her horse fit again slowly and carefully really take the time. It can make all the difference.
Goodluck to her
 
She had him out on loan when first back in work and they did the walking work, but now she has got him back home she thinks he feels a bit funny behind and said its like his legs gives way. However she is going to take him down to the vet next week to see if they think he is ok, so fingers crossed.
Thanks for all your comment, that is certainly what I has advised her to do, but I had no personal experience of it.
 
MY pony sprained her hind suspensory cavorting in the field when she was 15. She had 5 months off (no one could ride anyway as it was foot and mouth time so she had longer than the vet said) scanned monthly and dMSO / box rest cold hosing etc. Walked out in hand afetr 5 months off box rest and 1 month in tiny field then got too strong so got the ok to ride. We walked for 6 weeks til she ran off with me in trot. Gradually built up trotting etc. The next year after lots of fittening she was back doing pC ODE's and a few days hunting. Shes not had a ny probs since (touch wood) and is still going strong doing dressage, showing and fun rides aged 22. She does however find it difficult to truly step under herself when the said hind is the inside leg esp in canter - this is only noticeable in dressage where she occasionally is quarters in on that rein down the longside. I am always "aware" of the ground though and am extra paranoid about legs - booting up ALWAYS and hosing off for 10 mins if she has worked hard or for long periods. I think if you take lots of time to rest and treat the horse correctly, following vets advice it sound come right.
 
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