Helping make a horse with a damaged DDFT comfortable

[i.Leader]

hi my horse has been diagnosed with wearing of the DDFT where it meets the navicular bone. He is being shod with wedge shoes to lift his navicular bone and his weight off the tendon and he has been injected with steroids and HA (dont know the names only know they are to prevent further damage and irritation of the tendon and last roughly 6 months a time). I love my boy to bits and although he loves being ridden his comfort and good standard of life is far more important to me! Has anyone got any experience with this condition or something similar? what helped you and your horse? Also hes currently on devils relief and glucosamine supplements these look like their helping but is anything else recommended? any advice is really appreciated x

 

[nic83]

Hi

Was this diagnosed by MRI? My horse has just been MRI'd and he has DDFT damage near the navicular bone as well as navicular - I posted last week ( sorry i have no idea how to link it here) and got lots of advice and positive stories which have given me a little hope when the vets have almost written him off (5-10% chance of coming sound).

I am currently still on the box rest/remedial showing with wedges route, but am seriously considering barefoot as box rest is stressing my boy out. Some people also seem to have good results just turning away and giving time to heal.

Not sure what your vet has advised you but keep talking to them - mine has been very open to trying the barefoot route and willing to look into it as well and give her advice.

Wish you and your horse all the best.

 

[Izzwizz]

My mare had a tear to her DDFT 2 yrs ago and had the same sort of treatment/shoeing you are describing. I gave her Naf MSM which is for tendons/ligaments and joints, she is still on it now and will be indefinitely. I think it helps her and she has stayed sound from that injury since shes been on it. Shes doing really well and hers was a bad tear, the prognosis was not that good at the time but we stuck to the rehab and shes surprised everyone. After the wedge shoes she had egg bars on and is now in normal shoes. Just dont expect the injury to heal quickly, they take time and rest. I also used magnetic boots and swear they helped the healing too.