Recovery from torn DDFT, will he ever jump again?

[Horse Gifts Central]

To put a loooooong story short, basically my horse had become lame in 2015 in June, X-Rays suspected arthritis, steroid injected and sent on our way. Lameness came back within 3 weeks, sent for MRIs in November 2015 and found a 3cm tear to the DDFT just above coronet band. Sent to Rainbows in January 2016 for an operation to shave off torn fibres and stitch back up, also had navicular bursary injected. Only had a 50% chance of returning to full work. Had wedged heel, rolled toe bar shoes on. Loads of box rest and hand walking (and legs flying😬&#128513 and was started ridden in April 2016. Walking for weeks, short burst of trots for weeks, finally cantering (or lightly galloping off again legs flying&#128514 and is now back in *almost* full work (just without the jumping although have accidentally jumped puddles because he's a giant baby at heart&#128514, shoes were taken off about 8 weeks ago, had his first trim the other day and still sound. But my question is is it safe to start popping a few jumps every now and then? I know every horse is different and you can't know until you try which is what my vets have always said to me, but I'm scared of undoing all the hard work and his progress, anyone else had this issue? zany response much appreciated!

 

[Hoof_Prints]

My mare had pretty much the same injury, low DDFT just above the coronet band. It was so badly injured, they tried to operate and shave the fibres, but there was too much scar tissue to do anything. We turned out, took shoes off and gradually brought in to work. 11 months later she did her first jump, and over the next 6 months was jumping back at 1m. The following hunt season she was doing full days over big hedges and rails, charging over any terrain. We sadly lost her a couple of months ago to unrelated issues, but for years the leg only got stronger, she never had even the tiniest hint of lameness from it again. She was fed an MSM supplement but apart from that, no special treatment.
Best of luck

 

[Horse Gifts Central]

My mare had pretty much the same injury, low DDFT just above the coronet band. It was so badly injured, they tried to operate and shave the fibres, but there was too much scar tissue to do anything. We turned out, took shoes off and gradually brought in to work. 11 months later she did her first jump, and over the next 6 months was jumping back at 1m. The following hunt season she was doing full days over big hedges and rails, charging over any terrain. We sadly lost her a couple of months ago to unrelated issues, but for years the leg only got stronger, she never had even the tiniest hint of lameness from it again. She was fed an MSM supplement but apart from that, no special treatment.
Best of luck

Thankyou! that gives me hope 😅 It's been a year and 5 months now and he's had his bad days and good days but nothing a few days box rest didn't sort! so hoping the tendons come back strong and he has a chance 😬 He was bought for jumping and typical this happened but even just pottering about or low level is better than nothing, just don't wanna ruin anything he's done pretty well!

 

[scats]

Mine had severe lesion in his DDFT and was found to have navicular. Due to this I decided not to jump him again.

This was 2014 and he has remained completely sound on the DDFT foot. Unfortunately we have had to retire him due to kissing spines.

If he hadn't been diagnosed with navicular, I may well have tried to return him to jumping.

 

[annunziata]

my horse tore his DDFT in his leg above his fetlock HUGE hole 50% chance of recovering with or without surgery so we opted not to have it done. He is a year on totally sound and jumping well flying around like a mad man. is your horse shod now????