jessieblue
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone. I am so confused and worried and was hoping that someone may have some experience or advice concrning this issue. The story so far is ....
My beautiful 9 yr old hanovarian/TB event horse was diagnosed with PSD both hind limbs right worse than left in march this year. He was not lame but eventually was slightly short on hinds. Main symptom was sore back, irritability, spookiness. This seemed to show itself after a period of more intense schooling, which he was showing huge potential with.
Anyway after many people seeing him, back people, dentists, saddlers and 3 vets, two of who said he was fine my current vet diagnosed high suspensory desmitis. He blocked out sound and scans showed damage to both but worse on right. No bony involvement and no lesions or tears. I was advised neurectomy plus rehab and return to normal work including eventing was the prognosis.
So in may he was operated on. This went well and he was sent to a facility for rehab. 3 weeks box rest followed by, according to vet 6 weeks or walking and then progressive trot work after that. On first review by the vet after 6 weeks post op he trotted up sound and was negative flexion to left hind but 2/10 positive on right hind, but considering still on box rest just doing in hand walking and coming out cold this seemed good. Scan showed left ligament had improved but right hind suspensory still showed some damage but had improved a little although not as much as would have been ideal.
Anyway 6 weeks of walking became 5 months of walking as the rehab centre felt he should get up to 1 and 1/2 hours of walk in hand a day before beginning trot. 5 months post op I brought him home to my yard and started trot with him. He also had turnout in a small paddock during the day as I felt he was in desperate need of some quality of life. My vet had been urging me to move forward with his trot although the rehab owner felt he needed to continue walking.
My worry is that since being home we have had a few dramas. We are now trotting 10 mins a day and have been trotting for 3 weeks starting with 2 mins. He has had a couple of barnies around the field as he escaped from his paddock and ran around with other horses! I am petrified he has done some damage to himself as he is still just working in trot and not ready for canter.
Will this have ruined his chances of recovery? Does anyone have any experience of rehab following neurectomy for hind suspensory injury? Is 5 months too soon for him to be turned out and having a run around? My vet said i could turn him out in small paddock, but obviously didnt forsee his field buddies breaking into his compound and letting him out!! I have spent a fortune on this horse and he is such an angel, I dont even want to call my vet to review him as I am afraid of bad news! He appears sounbd though, but i guess he would after the neurectomy.
Any words of advice or reassurance very welcome!
My beautiful 9 yr old hanovarian/TB event horse was diagnosed with PSD both hind limbs right worse than left in march this year. He was not lame but eventually was slightly short on hinds. Main symptom was sore back, irritability, spookiness. This seemed to show itself after a period of more intense schooling, which he was showing huge potential with.
Anyway after many people seeing him, back people, dentists, saddlers and 3 vets, two of who said he was fine my current vet diagnosed high suspensory desmitis. He blocked out sound and scans showed damage to both but worse on right. No bony involvement and no lesions or tears. I was advised neurectomy plus rehab and return to normal work including eventing was the prognosis.
So in may he was operated on. This went well and he was sent to a facility for rehab. 3 weeks box rest followed by, according to vet 6 weeks or walking and then progressive trot work after that. On first review by the vet after 6 weeks post op he trotted up sound and was negative flexion to left hind but 2/10 positive on right hind, but considering still on box rest just doing in hand walking and coming out cold this seemed good. Scan showed left ligament had improved but right hind suspensory still showed some damage but had improved a little although not as much as would have been ideal.
Anyway 6 weeks of walking became 5 months of walking as the rehab centre felt he should get up to 1 and 1/2 hours of walk in hand a day before beginning trot. 5 months post op I brought him home to my yard and started trot with him. He also had turnout in a small paddock during the day as I felt he was in desperate need of some quality of life. My vet had been urging me to move forward with his trot although the rehab owner felt he needed to continue walking.
My worry is that since being home we have had a few dramas. We are now trotting 10 mins a day and have been trotting for 3 weeks starting with 2 mins. He has had a couple of barnies around the field as he escaped from his paddock and ran around with other horses! I am petrified he has done some damage to himself as he is still just working in trot and not ready for canter.
Will this have ruined his chances of recovery? Does anyone have any experience of rehab following neurectomy for hind suspensory injury? Is 5 months too soon for him to be turned out and having a run around? My vet said i could turn him out in small paddock, but obviously didnt forsee his field buddies breaking into his compound and letting him out!! I have spent a fortune on this horse and he is such an angel, I dont even want to call my vet to review him as I am afraid of bad news! He appears sounbd though, but i guess he would after the neurectomy.
Any words of advice or reassurance very welcome!
