Riding after suspensory ligament damage

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peanut

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My horse was 'signed off' as sound by the vet in the spring following suspensory ligament damage and treatment with shockwave therapy and rest. Since then I've gradually been bringing her back into work but I haven't yet dared take the cotton wool off her - I haven't jumped or even allowed her to canter up a hill yet, let alone gallop.

She is sound and full of beans but I'm so worried about further injury. When, if ever, did you allow your horse to return to normal work?
 
The first time I started to exercise my horse after her rehab from suspensory ligament damage and treatment...when I long reined her and she bu**ered off at a sprightly canter with the reins flowing behind her, without a care in the world.....whilst I stood with my hands on my head shouting 'Mind your legs'...and others saying she looks fine now!!!
Not much help I admit...but she obviously felt fine and she tends to tell me when she doesnt!
You have just got to go with the feel I think...not do anything stupid like take them over rubbish, boggy or rutty ground and see how it all seems afterwards. Does your horse not have a mad fling in the field?
 
This is something I am v worried about! Horse is currently on box rest and restricted turnout, and 15mins ridden walking per day. He tries to have a mini hooley in his paddock, (no more than 8 x 10 m) but doesn't get v far - hoping that doesn't damage him unduly :eek:

Are you still in contact with the vet about it - are they any help? :)
 
PitPony said:
whilst I stood with my hands on my head shouting 'Mind your legs'...and others saying she looks fine now!!!

Does your horse not have a mad fling in the field?
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I say that all the time! Yes and she goes bananas on the lunge when particularly fresh

Stencilface said:
Are you still in contact with the vet about it - are they any help? :)
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Yes, but he just says that if she's going to break, she's going to break - which I know is true but I'm hoping to avoid it!
 
I don't think that there are any certainties following this injury. The advice to go with the flow is probably right. My big boy came back into full work the first time he did his suspensories but I took it very slowly as you have done. I think that the most important thing is to ensure that you build up strength and fitness slowly. And I agree with the comment about the ground - you need to be very very fussy about the surfaces you ride on whether that is out hacking (avoiding deep mud or sand) or an arena surface. And the comment that they will break down again if they are going to is, I'm afraid, too true.

But - good luck - you are being cautious which can only be to the benefit of your horse.
 
I let mine have a roll today in the field on his headcollar after I had taken him out of his day pen. Something I have done a few times over the last few weeks, anyway today he managed to rub his head on the floor in such a way that he unclipped the headcollare which then came off after the next head rub :eek: I tried to grab him round his neck when he stood up, but as I did, the headcollar and rope (still in my hands) hit him and he jumped and ran across the field. I'm just glad that atm the others are only turned out on a couple of acres, and not our full 12 - otherwise he would have been able to get some real speed up :eek:

So didn't ride today, he just had an hour grazing in hand with magnet boots and rug. Headcollar clip now reinforced with the some baler twine :rolleyes:
 
My vet said that if you can get to 18 months post injury withut further mishap then you've got it cracked, as because of the rubbish blood supply to ligaments that's how long they take to heal properly.

My chap actually ended up fitter and stronger after he did his ligament, because of all the long slow distance work we did. In fact that's what got us into endurance, as I thought I should put all the long slow distance work to good use. A few years later we ended up doing 50 miles in under 5 hours - if you'd have told me that in the dark days of ligament rehab I'd have never believed you. He's 25 now and I've never had a peep out of that ligament since.

Keep the faith......but during the first 18 months, only take the cotton wool off bit at a time. Any signs of further heat or swelling, don't be afraid to go back a few steps.
 
EstherYoung said:
My vet said that if you can get to 18 months post injury withut further mishap then you've got it cracked, as because of the rubbish blood supply to ligaments that's how long they take to heal properly.
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That's the most valuable piece of information anyone has ever given me on the subject. A huge thank you.
 
EstherYoung said:
My vet said that if you can get to 18 months post injury withut further mishap then you've got it cracked, as because of the rubbish blood supply to ligaments that's how long they take to heal properly.

My chap actually ended up fitter and stronger after he did his ligament, because of all the long slow distance work we did. In fact that's what got us into endurance, as I thought I should put all the long slow distance work to good use. A few years later we ended up doing 50 miles in under 5 hours - if you'd have told me that in the dark days of ligament rehab I'd have never believed you. He's 25 now and I've never had a peep out of that ligament since.

Keep the faith......but during the first 18 months, only take the cotton wool off bit at a time. Any signs of further heat or swelling, don't be afraid to go back a few steps.
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See, I was thinking of doing endurance as a way to be busy doing something without feeling desperate that I have to be jumping again, but worried that if I asked the question people would tell me how hard endurance would be on the ligament etc.

I am putting magnetic boots on every day and I am really hoping that these help the blood supply issue - legs seems really hot afterwards :eek:
 
Mine is just 8 days post op and is causing me no end of grief. Yesterday she broke down her door in fright as the farmers cows had gotten out and she went prancing round the garden. She still has her flippin staples in!!! Then, in the evening after I'd taken the others in, I could hear my yearling calling. Looked out the window to find box rest horse happily grazing in the garden! I'd forgotten to put the clip on her door and yearling had let her out. My nerves are frayed now and she's only been home since friday. I dread to think what I'll be like by the time it comes to getting on her :(
 
My girl is just back in work after time off due to aggravating both hind suspensories. We treated them by injecting steroids in followed by boxrest then slow build up again. We had our first canter this week and the difference is incredible from before treatment to now. We are taking it day by day....usually if I go up a level on work one day then the next will be good strong forwards walking hack so every second day is a walk day. The good news is legs are seeming better after a heavier work day than the walk day. Best advice I got from my vet was you know your horse....let her tell you what she's ready for! Now admittedly my mare's injury was not as severe as what you are talking. One thing i am going to do when the mare is a bit fitter is swim her so that we can further fitten the muscles without pressure on the legs but I feel the horse needs good fitness before starting swiming to maximise the benefits!
 
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