septic joint and coming back into work

C

Cyberchick

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 November 2008
Messages
992
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
Hi, my horse suffered a septic joint (pastern) nearly 3 months ago. He has had 2 months box rest and small paddock turnout and has healed and is sound and is due to come back into work now.
The joint still fills a little, actually I would say more thickens than anything, overnight but not much and I have stopped bandaging his legs now, goes away when turned out. Still a bit lumpy bumpy on the joint where the vet and Rossdales had to do the flushing and tests etc under a general but is there anything I need to be aware of when bringing him back to work? Do I need to be paranoid about anything? Anything I should use? Fetlock/Pastern supporting boots?
He starts going on the walker today.
 
Hi - dont suppose you want advise from me
grin.gif


Nope I wouldnt use supporting boots. So long as you have the all clear to start work then I think you will find that the 'adhesions' in the joint will gradually break down as he starts to do a bit more work. You may find that you get a bit of extra heat whilst this process happens. So long as there is no lameness this is nothing to worry about. The adhesions are there from the disturbance caused by the flushing etc. It can sometimes take a very long time for the leg to return to normal but will carry on changing for up to a couple of years. This doesnt mean you cant work him.

This will often happen to a horse returning to work after a tendon injury & normally gives the owner a heart attack.

I hope he is fine & look forward to seeing you next week.
 
Joss - I always want advice from you - you are my guru
smile.gif


I like the way you can translate my 'lumpy bumpy' through to 'adhesions'.lol

They didnt really explain to me about the adhesions to be honest so even though they are not bothering him, I am very aware of them so you have put my mind at rest about that, thankyou. So you dont think he will need any support there in ridden work? As long as he is sound do I just carry on as normal and he will be fine for his SJ in the future?

I refuse to kill myself before Badminton so he will have a week or so on the walker until I get back. Look forward to catching up. x
 
Take your time to bring him back to full work. Initially walking only, to strengthen ligaments and tendons, about 4 - 6 weeks. Then introduce trotting in short sessions.
 
Thats just me really, I am not a great fan of support type boots. I dont think, any type of boot will fully support a horses leg nor should it. The leg needs to strengthen up itself & not rely on being 'held together' in anyway. I find that support boots are just rather hot & bulky. This is only my opinion & plenty of people use support boots. I just prefer to use brushing boots & allow nature to do its bit.

The 'good' thing about Will's injury is you know exactly what caused it & where the problem lies. There is no guessing games like a lot of problems. It might affect his showing career
grin.gif
blush.gif
but now you have got this far you should be fine.
 
I've just returned my mare into work after bone chips and a septic joint (hock joint in her case). I'm afraid that the walking bit is the most important, and I did the full 6 weeks, although did build it up to nearly 2 hours steady walking on roads and tracks.

Then when I started trotting I only did about 2 weeks as she was feeling super-fit and moving well, another 2 weeks of trotting with a little bit of cantering, and she is now pretty much back in full work - she has regained aerobic fitness extremely quickly (she is TB and has previously been racing fit) But it is the walking that has strengthened her legs and prepared her for the faster work. I have also done all my work out hacking and not introduced any arena work until the last couple of weeks, since work in a small space is much more strenuous on the joints.
 
Can I add my horse is not good out hacking. An event rider once called it, and I quote "horrendous".
I am fully prepared to put this work in but it is not going to be fun or easy.
 
oh dear
crazy.gif


walking around the school for 6 weeks could be very boring!

I also wouldn't be averse to using acp or sedalin for the first few weeks if that allows you to get some calm sensible walking done without danger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top