PSD Surgery - before and after

[CPW]

I would be really interested in hearing peoples experiences of horses before and then after PSD surgery - i.e., indication of problem, behaviour, general attitude, was there an immediate improvement or was it gradual or no improvement, how did the horse progress when back in work?

Thanks in advance for responses!

 

[lensmith7]

Hi, my mare had the surgery in April.

Before surgery, she was crippled, not just a little lame, we're talking on 3 legs. Worse on one reing than the other. Before this though, she'd been increasingly nappy, even started to buck (never heard of from my little mare). Reluctant in going forward, constantly backing off.

Had the surgery, was instantly sound.

She took to the box rest well, it was the inhand walking we found hard. But still never a lame step.

Started her at walk under saddle at 3 months post op.

Turned her out in 20x20 paddock at around 4 months post op. Lasted for 6 weeks til she jumped out.

We (vet and I) decided to then introduce trot work working up to 15 mins a day, beofre I turned her out 4 weeks later.

She's been under saddle and out in the big field for approx 10 weeks now, maybe more.

I had my first lesson on her on Tues. She's like a different horse. Forward going, comfortable, really springy. It's just amazing.

Only positives from me here.

Good luck.

 

[Alibear]

Horse 1
Only ever 2/10ths lame and then only when lunged hard on concrete, spotted a problem as he kept hopping in canter. Xrays shows PSD and a chronic case , straight in for the op.
After 8 weeks box rest started walking out in hand all OK, continued this then started walking under saddle building up to 30 mins daily (horse not quite level at this point), no circles or tight turns. Then turned out as normal all ok (older horse who loved his grub). Introduced trot slowly and started walking hacks.
Horse now sound, introduced canter all ok, horse fit and well and back doing elementary within another 3 months.
8months later developed navicular in front which did not respond to treatment, horse now happily retired, does have a strange action behind now. Vets guess is strain of front feet means suspensories aren't great but horse seems happy and is paddock sound without medication and has been for 3 years.
Horse 2
Horse had several moths off being treated for bruised front feet , as front feet came good we noticed something not quite right.
Horse again only lame as above , when lunged hard on a circle also failed flexion test on RH , has the added complication of KS, not chronic PSD this time although right hind is serious. Operation went well and 8 weeks box rest went well, now starting walking in hand which resembles kite flying. Unable to say if sound as to dedicate to test out as still have treatment for KS. Dec 15th is big review day at the vets.
Horse can now fly buck, not sure I like this new development as never did it before.