Medial Collateral Ligament Injury, and now this … Really worried !

[Spangles]

Horse is now 8 months on from initial injury. Vet described as akin to an ankle sprain so it’s taken time & patience.

We’ve done 6 months box rest, with in hand walking introduced, sometimes allowed in a small outside pen next to stable.

Then turnout in stable sized field pen for 2.5mths for a couple of hours each day, stabled at night.
road walking was introduced & now up to trot programme whilst out hacking.

An issue with a hock has now been identified, not hopping lame, just a bit ‘off’, vet described as ‘weak’ behind. Hocks we’re medicated couple of months ago, and now on course of anti inflammatory meds but horse still feels tight behind.

There’s sadly no grass turnout at the moment due to ground
but Horsey is turned out in indoor arena each day and hacked each day.

Vet very guarded as to future ie doesn’t think horse will cope with jumping but nice hacking & maybe low level dressage horse.
What would your course of action be next ? Loan to hacking home, retire to a retirement home to live in a roving herd, find a rehab yard with turnout & see what happens ie if tightness & hocks improve ?
I’m not in a position to rehab myself

 

[Goldenstar]

I think you need a rehab yard .
The horse needs turn out pole work in hand and lots of hacking .
A water treadmill would be good as well .
I wish vets would tell people to do passive flexing of the hocks when horses are on box rest six months box rest is almost bound to cause bone spavin .
If they put steroid in the hocks I would be looking to put a gel product in both shortly I would be expecting it to take a year to get a horse over six months box rest .

 

[ycbm]

I would turn away to grass for the winter and review in late spring, then retire if he isn't right at that point.
.

 

[Birker2020]

I agree with Goldenstar. If you are not in a position to rehab yourself then send to someone who can work on that for you. When hocks have been medicated the horse needs to follow a 3 day box rest and 3 day light work before resuming normal work load. Obviously that would be different for your horse but he needs to be kept in some form of exercise. You say you hack him every day so that it is good but a water treadmill would be hugely beneficial.

Supported by water (even partially) reduces the weight on limbs and joints and any resistance with walking through water increase muscle strength without causing additional strain. Being in the water causes pressure on the limbs which will increase circulation and reduce any oedema.

 

[Goldenstar]

The great thing with a water treadmill is it makes the horses straight .

 

[misst]

MCL injury is never easy - shoes off and barefoot as well as the above if you can. Lost one of mine to this years ago after 6 months box rest and small paddock turn out and to be honest I have since spoken to vets who feel that long box rest often throws up other issues and turning away followed by careful rehab is a better option. I just didn't know that at the time.