Recurring Suspensory Ligament Injury

emsyt92

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Hi All!

I'm here to ask some opinions and advice.

Just over 3 years ago, my boy tore his front suspensory ligament quite high up but still on the body. He went through platinum standard rehab etc, came right for a while but only back in to light wotk, then re-tore it. After the second time I called it quits with working him and tried to retire him. He didn't cope one single bit in being a field ornament so I moved yards where summer is in during the day and out at night and vice versa in the winter. Please note, both times we are 99% sure he's done it in the field.

Since moving yards, we've been doing a little bit of hacking and light schooling (absolute max worked twice a week for 15-20 mins) and he's been fine and loving life. On Thursday this week I noticed he wasn't right so popped him in the field for the day thinking he was probably stiff. I put him on the lunge in the evening to see how he was and he was lame on his bad leg. I immediately stopped work and booked the vet for the next day. It was still too swollen to scan but we are both pretty convinced it's the same injury again.

So my concern is this... He doesn't mess around in the field (like, seriously. He's an angel) and we were only doing really basic stuff in regards to light hacking and 'schooling' and he's still managed to do it for a third time. I'm just at my wits end with what to do with him because if he's going to spend half his life on box rest or in pain is it really a quality of life?

Any suggestions or anyone with a similar experience would be greatly appreciated.

NB. I've had Bean for 12 years and I would never dream of passing him on to someone just because he can't do a job. He means more than the world to me. He's an absolute saint and I just want to do right by him!
 
I have nothing constructive to offer, as it is awful when you are in that grey area. I would ask the horse, ask the vet, ask your family, ask on here. Not that I am saying to do what everyone says, but I would listen and see which thoughts resonate correctly with you and which you think feel wrong.

The only other thing is to say that if you do decide that Bean does not have a quality of life and you do PTS, you will probably feel relief once it is done, much as the run up is awful.

Bean is lucky to have such a compassionate owner.
 
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Tbh chronic suspensory damage is a very common if he’s not field sound I would call it a day .
I have lost a few hunters just like this it’s heartbreaking to lose a horse Thant’s great in everyway except for one injury .
But the truth is the mayor suspensory injuries are very hard to get right and it’s my experiance they tend to go again .
It’s awful but you need to do some hard thinking with advice from your vet about what’s the best thing to do .
 
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