jumping after fractured cannon bone..

[Hippona]

hello - new here, hope I've done this right...! Just after a bit of advice really, or to see if anyones been in a similar situation.. my gelding suffered a fractured cannon bone last July, most likely from a kick in the field - it healed completely with box rest, and now he's fully fit and muscled, hacking out etc...the only thing I havn't really done is to jump him, apart from the odd log out hacking, because I was scared of doing any damage - he's a nightmare when on box rest. Anyway, yesterday I bit the bullet and put a 'proper' jump up in the arena- it was only tiny, about a foot or so- he loved it !! Not a hint of lameness or anything...sound as a pound. I would like to start jumping again cos he loves it and so do I, but would only stick to Novice size jumps. What would anyone else do? I don't want to risk injury, and I would rather never jump him again, but then if he's ok we're both missing out...Help! Advice please

 

[Super_Kat]

Speak to the your vet, they will be the best one to advise you on this kind of thing

 

[Hippona]

Think I'm going to have to really...thanks anyway

 

[jumpthemoon]

Hello, welcome to the forum

I don't see why jumping would be a problem - usually bones heal far better than tendons or ligaments so if it was a straightforward fracture it should be completely healed by now. I'd definitely be more worried about jumping after a tendon injury. Ask your vet anyway, but I'd say it was promising

 

[ladyt25]

A friend of mine took on an ex racehorse (form someone we knew locally) that had fractured it's cannon bone hurdling and now has a metal plate in it's leg. It was going to be out down a year or so ago as noone wanted to buy/take on as a hac/RC horse but I mentione dit to my friends (they work within racing) they took him on and have since had him back in rcae training over hurdles with no ill effects. However, turns out he's too lazy/not intersted in racing so they're going to take him to some shows/do some jumping this year and see if they can sell him as a hack/riding club horse. He has not had any further problems with the leg so far.

Check with your vet but I would think starting him steadily would be fine. I think actually some 'stress' on bone does help it heal and get stronger (I've heard that somewhere) so providing you're not off to jump the Olympia puissance or anything i think you'll be ok! Remember Tim Stockdales grey mare (is it Corlato?) who fractured her shoulder? Well, she doesn't seem to have suffered any further problems and was back jumping internationally again.

 

[gemmahodgkinson]

hey, elsa fractured her splint bone in may last year and we are now jumping 2ft 3 ish. we started jumping at the end of jan and she had been brought back into work slowly since last sept. vet said it was fine, and that it would help her canter work and help to strengthen the leg. if you both love it and your vet says it is fine i would go for it, just dont push it in terms of frequency or size for a while. good luck!