Navicular/DDFT etc research results

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nicbarker

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I know a few people have posted about us before, so I thought you might be interested in this - the preliminary results for our ongoing research project into rehabilitation of horses with navicular/DDFT/collateral ligament injuries:

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.com/2010/07/project-dexter-results-so-far.html

We will carry on with the research and are also hoping to carry out an MRI based study next year, if we are successful in getting a grant to fund the MRIs.
 
Nic's great work at Rockley inspired me to do my own rehab. His diagnosis was on the basis of xray changes to the navicular bone. His treatment was adequan, tildren, hyaluronic acid injection to one navicular bursa and bar shoes. He was still lame but I don't have an x/10 vets opinion though I have video of him hopping in walk on a circle on hard ground. He is now sound in full work.

It will be a huge step forward for horses with foot lameness when the Rockley Research is peer reviewed and published and reported in the veterinary and equine press. I think that's due to be quite soon Nic, can you tell us?
 
Sounds like a good idea for a student thesis (is that how it is spelt??). I suppose vets do CPD as well, would they do a PhD? You can see I don't know much about research/university things.
 
Im very interested in this much needed research! :) A few questions-
How is full work defined?
When is the return to full work defined? e.g. at the end of rehab (is there a set rehab length), or at a set time e.g 3 months for a set length of time?
Have you measured any other parameters of success other than return to work? e.g. gait analysis, foot balance, x rays, scans, etc
Has one vet seen all the horses before and after rehab?
 
Will attempt to answer your questions, if you want a copy of the full results contact me on the link above.

>How is full work defined?

Depends on the horse but reflects what they were doing "at most" before going lame - so eventing for Dexter, hacking for Blue etc.

>When is the return to full work defined? e.g. at the end of rehab (is there a set rehab length), or at a set time e.g 3 months for a set length of time?

Again, depends. There is no set rehab time, but most horses are with us for 2-3 months and then the owners carry on with another 2-3 months at home.

>Have you measured any other parameters of success other than return to work? e.g. gait analysis, foot balance, x rays, scans, etc

Have a look at the blog for photos and video footage. The research is being done at the moment with no funding(!) so we are limited in what we can do. We may be able to get funding for follow-up MRIs next year.

>Has one vet seen all the horses before and after rehab?

No if you look at the blog you will see that the original vet assess the horse before and after. So far 10 vets have been involved.

Hope that helps,
 
I try and keep track of them all - most owners stay in touch and give regular updates on how the horses are doing. We'll lose contact with some of them but I would hope we'd be able to follow most for several years. Our oldest rehab (who predates the research project) is still going strong aged 25 after a navicular diagnosis 8 years ago ;-)
 
Ted my horse has a medial collateral ligament injury and am thinking of going barefoot...can my regular farrier trim him or do I need remedial farrier to do a special trim or what?? I seriously think that shoes are making him a lot worse. injury occured 2 yrs ago and he is now on/off lame so out of work now, but I would very much like to hack out again!
 
jessicabeau1 said:
Ted my horse has a medial collateral ligament injury and am thinking of going barefoot...can my regular farrier trim him or do I need remedial farrier to do a special trim or what?? I seriously think that shoes are making him a lot worse. injury occured 2 yrs ago and he is now on/off lame so out of work now, but I would very much like to hack out again!
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear your lad has problems. IMO shoes will be making him worse and your best bet by far is to try barefoot. It works. Again and again. There is no reason why you shouldn't be hacking out on him again, and who knows what else!

There's no special trim that equates to remedial shoes - a barefoot trim simply balances the foot and ensures all structures can begin to function as they should e.g. the frog should have a passive weight bearing role very rarely seen in shod horses. As important, if not more so, than the trim is the advice you need on diet and environment. Your farrier may or may not be familiar with the diet necessary for successful barefoot and about transitioning periods etc. Talk to him and see what he says.

If you want the opinion of a qualified and experience barefoot trimmer who has dealt with cases like your lads before then give Caroline Andreson a ring - her website is www.ukhooftrimmers.co.uk. She covers South Wales and is fab.

Good luck!
 
Hiya, my horse Bailey has a lateral collateral ligment strain, and despite all treatments going and the latest in remedial shoeing is not 'right'. He is now in rehab with Nic Barker at Rockley Farm, so fingers crossed he will be sound at some point. So you're not alone. Good luck with your boy.x
 
Lainey123 said:
Hiya, my horse Bailey has a lateral collateral ligment strain, and despite all treatments going and the latest in remedial shoeing is not 'right'. He is now in rehab with Nic Barker at Rockley Farm, so fingers crossed he will be sound at some point. So you're not alone. Good luck with your boy.x
Click to expand...

Thanks Lainey
 
Jessicabeau
I own Frankie one of the horses on the study and he was on off lame for 18 months before he went down to Rockley.
I was struggling to even keep him field sound before I sent him to rehab as he is very playful in the field and would come in lame when i turned him out.
I've got him back now and am hacking him out over a variety of surfaces 5 or 6 times a week in all paces and plan to introduce jumping and schooling as we go on.

Everybody is in a different situation of course but i don't know if I would have succeeded doing it on my own. I did not have supportive vets and farriers around me and no knowledge of barefoot and being on a typical livery yard limited in terms of facilities to support this. So whatever you decide I think it is key to have experienced people to help who have been through this and say if you are on the right lines.

Teddyt
I will keep Nic updated of course and my vet who has been following his progress and treating him for the past 2 and a bit years. His opinion is that he is sound which he hasn't been able to say in 2 years. He was also able to confirm that the shape and balance of his feet has significantly changed for the better. Where he might remain sceptical is whether it is the rehab that caused that improvement or whether it would have happened anyway which of course is where the numbers come in.

And of course for me the key thing is will I have a horse to ride in 1, 2, 3 years time.
 
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