Horse feeling a little off in rehab - normal?

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_hrriddell

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Hi all,

Would love some thoughts on people who have been through rehab and know how excruciating and stressful it can be!

Currently rehabbing my horse with who was diagnosed (via MRI) with bilateral bone oedema and moderate navicular bursitis in RF in May this year. In June he had tildren and a bursa injection. We then hacked out in walk for 6 weeks (where he improved dramatically) then building up trot only for about 8 weeks. I had a reassessment at the beginning of this month and my vets exact words were “it’s time to get on with it”. He cleared my horse to start gradually increasing canter work and schooling.

He has came back to schooling like a different horse, so much easier to get working however I’ve noticed every so often a bit of a shortened stride/hop feeling. Before I go running crying to my vet, have others who have rehabbed before found it typical for the horse not to feel 100% as you move through each stage?
I know when I had a knee injury it took me some time to be able to do things again without a bit of discomfort.

Also any general words of wisdom and support would be appreciated - it has been a stressful process already and I just want my boy to be back doing what he loves most!
 
Pinkvboots said:
I would want the vet to look at the trot and canter before carrying on.
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The vet was here just a couple of weeks ago, but to be honest with the weather I haven’t managed to ride much. Wasn’t sure if the cold hasn’t been helping either. I feel it a little when I’m on board, and then I lunge him and can’t see anything at all! I struggle to get vet appointments because of where I am, but perhaps sending some videos is a good start.
 
Do you have a physio involved with rehab? I would speak to them and build a rehab plan together, I know when my mare had KS surgery that the vet plan was very different to the plan the physio and I came up with, I highly recommend water treadmill for a low impact activity, I also found it really useful for being able to view the horse moving from multiple angles and I would video it and show to the physio for her to assess.
 
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Videos are really useful - when issues are subtle you can guarantee the horse won't show the vet when they actually visit.

What are his hooves like right now? My navicular one is tetchy and her frogs have definitely looked better - weather I think.
 
It isnt clear from your post if it is a few strides each ride, or ongoing?

A few iffy strides whilst warmed up and maybe first trot and first canter, with a horse rehabbing would be one thing. Consistently taking short strides throughout the ride would be another thing entirely.

I do think the odd misstride when warming up, with intermittent work, and it being cold and horse getting tight, not unusual for rehab.

Getting someone to film out riding, and particularly film the bits you can feel off strides should help. Most phones can do really good video clips.

Then share with your vet, and ask to pay for his time to get his views on the horse under saddle.

Physio support, if you can get one to come out, sounds good idea too.
 
HopOnTrot said:
Do you have a physio involved with rehab? I would speak to them and build a rehab plan together, I know when my mare had KS surgery that the vet plan was very different to the plan the physio and I came up with, I highly recommend water treadmill for a low impact activity, I also found it really useful for being able to view the horse moving from multiple angles and I would video it and show to the physio for her to assess.
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He actually has a physio appointment this evening! He was very tight in the shoulders when he went lame, so hoping she can assess if he’s feeling sore. I unfortunately don’t have a water treadmill nearby (2hrs towing!)
 
SEL said:
Videos are really useful - when issues are subtle you can guarantee the horse won't show the vet when they actually visit.

What are his hooves like right now? My navicular one is tetchy and her frogs have definitely looked better - weather I think.
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They seem okay, although he is due shod next week so wondered if that might contribute. He is in 3D pads in front now. It is frustrating as I have been checking him on the lunge and he looks absolutely fine then.
 
Fieldlife said:
It isnt clear from your post if it is a few strides each ride, or ongoing?

A few iffy strides whilst warmed up and maybe first trot and first canter, with a horse rehabbing would be one thing. Consistently taking short strides throughout the ride would be another thing entirely.

I do think the odd misstride when warming up, with intermittent work, and it being cold and horse getting tight, not unusual for rehab.

Getting someone to film out riding, and particularly film the bits you can feel off strides should help. Most phones can do really good video clips.

Then share with your vet, and ask to pay for his time to get his views on the horse under saddle.

Physio support, if you can get one to come out, sounds good idea too.
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Thank you that’s a helpful way to think about it. I wouldn’t say it’s consistent or always ongoing as such, schooling last week he felt good to begin with then I noticed a couple short strides towards the end but then out hacking yesterday he felt good towards the end and a bit stiffer to start. I have the physio tonight so hopefully she can shed some light!
 
My coblet was diagnosed in spring this year with bilateral annular ligament damage in his hinds and he had surgery in early May, after 3 weeks box rest we then commenced inhand walking twice daily from 5 mins up to 35 mins and then I was able to hop on and we started straight line hacking at walk and then introduced 2-5 mins trot once we were up to an hour walking. I have to say I found the whole process thoroughly tough, walking at 6am and 6pm either side of my working day and on occasion coblet was actually dangerous round the lanes although he did settle to the job in hand eventually. Although the vet also came out and saw coblet at regular 3-4 week intervals when we started trot work he felt really off and the vet told me to push through and he would become sound, however introducing canter has proved too much for coblet and although the vet also advised me "to crack on now" I'm not happy with that and am looking to turn coblet away for the forseeable and quite possibly retire him as he's nearly 17 years old. Sorry I cant be more optimistic and I think the operation and rehab has been successful as measured by lameness and flexion tests etc but he's defo not up to (and happy with) the level of work even I would like as a happy hacker/low level RC pony :(
 
_hrriddell said:
Thank you that’s a helpful way to think about it. I wouldn’t say it’s consistent or always ongoing as such, schooling last week he felt good to begin with then I noticed a couple short strides towards the end but then out hacking yesterday he felt good towards the end and a bit stiffer to start. I have the physio tonight so hopefully she can shed some light!
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physio tonight sounds good, and hopefully she will have some thoughts. It might be he has tight soft tissue from compensating for the original injury, and he is taking a while to ease back into moving correctly. But not be actual pain from the navicular and bone odema?
 
Kirstd33 said:
My coblet was diagnosed in spring this year with bilateral annular ligament damage in his hinds and he had surgery in early May, after 3 weeks box rest we then commenced inhand walking twice daily from 5 mins up to 35 mins and then I was able to hop on and we started straight line hacking at walk and then introduced 2-5 mins trot once we were up to an hour walking. I have to say I found the whole process thoroughly tough, walking at 6am and 6pm either side of my working day and on occasion coblet was actually dangerous round the lanes although he did settle to the job in hand eventually. Although the vet also came out and saw coblet at regular 3-4 week intervals when we started trot work he felt really off and the vet told me to push through and he would become sound, however introducing canter has proved too much for coblet and although the vet also advised me "to crack on now" I'm not happy with that and am looking to turn coblet away for the forseeable and quite possibly retire him as he's nearly 17 years old. Sorry I cant be more optimistic and I think the operation and rehab has been successful as measured by lameness and flexion tests etc but he's defo not up to (and happy with) the level of work even I would like as a happy hacker/low level RC pony :(
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I am so so sorry to hear this! It is truly a really stressful time and having to time in the extra rehab around other responsibilities is such a challenge, which I think I definitely underestimated coming into it. I hope that some more time gets your horse feeling better, I know ligaments can be pesky to heal. I do relate, my horse is also rising 17 so older but I guess still should have more years ahead in the grand scheme of things, which makes it harder. It’s difficult when you can’t tell them they need to take it easy. Best of luck 🤞
 
It's a tough one to judge. I go by how the horse is when we're preparing for work. If they're relaxed and happy about that and seem relaxed and happy to work, then I'll keep gently going. If they start to show signs of discomfort, not wanting to be tacked up or go to the arena, then I go back to the vet. Or if I can recreate the odd step as it happens every time we do X, then I'll get the vet out to look.
 
Fieldlife said:
physio tonight sounds good, and hopefully she will have some thoughts. It might be he has tight soft tissue from compensating for the original injury, and he is taking a while to ease back into moving correctly. But not be actual pain from the navicular and bone odema?
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It was a really useful session actually, we don’t think it’s the original lameness as he has no tightness in his front end at all. However he was noticeably more reactive on the left side of his back than the right (which matches what I’ve been feeling!). Also likely needing a saddle adjustment as he has lost some muscle not being in full work.
 
HopOnTrot said:
Do you have a physio involved with rehab? I would speak to them and build a rehab plan together, I know when my mare had KS surgery that the vet plan was very different to the plan the physio and I came up with, I highly recommend water treadmill for a low impact activity, I also found it really useful for being able to view the horse moving from multiple angles and I would video it and show to the physio for her to assess.
Click to expand...
Interestingly my physio has given me a slightly different and a bit slower plan than what the vet gave me tonight. Good news is we think it’s related to his back being a bit tight rather than his front legs at this point!
 
Always have your fitter cast their eye over the saddle before you get back on, and personally I'd say that it's NEVER a waste of time doing groundwork aimed at posture for the first few weeks (even if only two) - the hardest thing we do is ask them to carry us, yet our vets and physios encourage us to jump back on straight away, or pretty quickly. So often HOW the horse has been moving has contributed to the "injury" yet this isn't even considered, and as they've not been moving quite right other parts of the body are affected, in fact it's probably true to say the whole body is affected to some degree due to fascial chains/tensegrity. I really feel we have to consider changing the way they move before we get on.

The water treadmill is not universally regarded favourably, especially early on in rehab. If they're not moving well, without brace and on two tracks (ie straight) then adding load (ie the water treadmill making the work harder) simply strengthens the dysfunction. I have seen argued that in itself the treadmill changes the way they move and places unnatural forces on them, and I think so often in this the results of research depend, in part, on the idea of what correct work is. So something can look great until you see the measure of "success" is a horse still showing postural, straightness and balance issues in their work, but they look really muscled!

Once on board have regular saddle checks, in person if possible, remote in between if your fitter offers them. And be sure you know what to look for and what to check, so you know when to get them out.

Slower plan sounds good, have a look at the resources on equitopiacenter.com (cheap to join and I think you can do just one month) - there's good stuff on assessing your own horse and on posture, topline and groundwork.
 
sbloom said:
Always have your fitter cast their eye over the saddle before you get back on, and personally I'd say that it's NEVER a waste of time doing groundwork aimed at posture for the first few weeks (even if only two) - the hardest thing we do is ask them to carry us, yet our vets and physios encourage us to jump back on straight away, or pretty quickly. So often HOW the horse has been moving has contributed to the "injury" yet this isn't even considered, and as they've not been moving quite right other parts of the body are affected, in fact it's probably true to say the whole body is affected to some degree due to fascial chains/tensegrity. I really feel we have to consider changing the way they move before we get on.

The water treadmill is not universally regarded favourably, especially early on in rehab. If they're not moving well, without brace and on two tracks (ie straight) then adding load (ie the water treadmill making the work harder) simply strengthens the dysfunction. I have seen argued that in itself the treadmill changes the way they move and places unnatural forces on them, and I think so often in this the results of research depend, in part, on the idea of what correct work is. So something can look great until you see the measure of "success" is a horse still showing postural, straightness and balance issues in their work, but they look really muscled!

Once on board have regular saddle checks, in person if possible, remote in between if your fitter offers them. And be sure you know what to look for and what to check, so you know when to get them out.

Slower plan sounds good, have a look at the resources on equitopiacenter.com (cheap to join and I think you can do just one month) - there's good stuff on assessing your own horse and on posture, topline and groundwork.
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Thanks for your thoughts - completely agree with you! I was a bit surprised how quickly the vet said to get on with it and that I could get him out dressage. I’ve rehabbed my own injuries and understand it from a human point of view but didn’t want to dispute what a vet was saying! My horse has been hacking out in walk and trot since July so not totally unfit, but it’s of course much harder for him to be chucked straight back into schooling. The physio has given me some exercises so will focus on those and groundwork for a bit longer (and delay the dressage plans!). Sounds like shortening my saddle check intervals would be a good idea also while he is changing shape so much. Thanks for the link, I’ll have a look 😊
 
_hrriddell said:
The vet was here just a couple of weeks ago, but to be honest with the weather I haven’t managed to ride much. Wasn’t sure if the cold hasn’t been helping either. I feel it a little when I’m on board, and then I lunge him and can’t see anything at all! I struggle to get vet appointments because of where I am, but perhaps sending some videos is a good start.
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Mine had ulcers after box rest
 
_hrriddell said:
Thanks for your thoughts - completely agree with you! I was a bit surprised how quickly the vet said to get on with it and that I could get him out dressage. I’ve rehabbed my own injuries and understand it from a human point of view but didn’t want to dispute what a vet was saying! My horse has been hacking out in walk and trot since July so not totally unfit, but it’s of course much harder for him to be chucked straight back into schooling. The physio has given me some exercises so will focus on those and groundwork for a bit longer (and delay the dressage plans!). Sounds like shortening my saddle check intervals would be a good idea also while he is changing shape so much. Thanks for the link, I’ll have a look 😊
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Some vets are more knowledgeable about rehab and building horses back up than others. Most vets understand acute injuries. Those that are not riders nor have taken a special interest, dont necessarily understand postural correctness and fitness for horses.
 
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Unfortunately it sounds like he is still having pain. It can be easy to try and rationalise it away but your post sounds to me like in your heart of hearts you know he is having lame steps.
 
SusieT said:
Unfortunately it sounds like he is still having pain. It can be easy to try and rationalise it away but your post sounds to me like in your heart of hearts you know he is having lame steps.
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think that is a bit inaccurate, and emotive. Especially after the OP has updated that the physio this it’s related to his back being a bit tight rather than his front legs at this point.

Did you read OP's update before posting?


OP is trying to follow advice of physio and vet. And physio yesterday, thinks he's sound with some back tightness. And OP has mentioned saddle doesnt fit as well as used to as horse has lost muscle.

I dont think saying horse still in pain, and telling OP she shouldnt try and rationalise is helpful, as the understanding has moved on.
 
lauragreen85 said:
Mine had ulcers after box rest
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He was never on box rest thankfully. Started with small paddock rest then gradually increased the size over 4 months - until he started jumping out of his paddock and I had to let him back with the herd 🙄 thankfully he was sound by that point. Definitely something to keep in mind though.
 
SusieT said:
Unfortunately it sounds like he is still having pain. It can be easy to try and rationalise it away but your post sounds to me like in your heart of hearts you know he is having lame steps.
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Another poster has already replied (thank you!) but I feel more confident after my physio visit. He was very sore in the shoulders when he first went lame but there was zero signs of pain there last night, only on the left side of his lower back. This matches what I felt (more noticeable on the left rein and didn’t feel like he was head nodding). Saddle fitter is coming and I’ve got a good plan with the physio to build his muscle and posture back up before anything else. Rest assured he will get the vet if he needs it 😊
 
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