Sesamoiditis / General Lameness / Slightly Despairing!

[Becks01]

Hi Folks...anyone got any experience of sesamoiditis? My boy has been diagnosed.... thankfully no fractures on x-rays on sesamoid which is a huge relief, but he has diagnosis of sesamoiditis and vet has recommended 6 months off. General prognosis seemed ok...need to be aware of osteoporosis due to the damage, and be mindful of suspensory ligaments... The thing is he hasn't been the soundest horse in the world before this and I have this niggling feeling in the back of my mind that won't go away that he might not ever be sound enough to do what I want with him... I think I am probably being overly negative and I should shake myself out of it, but it's been one thing after another since I got him last spring and I am beginning to despair a little!

He had a tough paper round before I got him and his legs have been through it bless him. I think he's been 'off' or lame for more of the past year than he's been good... I don't want to do anything overly ambitious, but I'd love to do a little novice dressage, jumping for fun (which he loves!), pleasure rides etc... Just have some fun together and catch up on the years I haven't been able to do much at all due to elderly retired pony, then slightly nutty horse that ended up scaring me, having a baby etc... Oops...This is getting a bit woest me isn't it?!

I'm almost thinking about sticking him in a field for a year to see if he comes right with time and healing, and if not consider a very early retirement (he's only 12 ) as the stopping and starting, thinking he's ok and then something else crops up is almost harder than just stepping back entirely for a while...

 

[FfionWinnie]

I've no advice really but you used to hear about horses with sesamoiditis all the time and I haven't done forever until I read your post. I wonder why that is. Also my iPhone really didn't want to accept sesamoiditis is a word!!

I hope he comes sound for you. I would definitely try turning him out for a long time and see what happens. I would also look at his management and see if there is anything there which could be improved ie does he work on a surface a lot, is he stabled a lot, could you keep the shoes off etc. Good luck.

 

[Red-1]

I bought a mare who had previously done both tendons prior to me buying her (when I was young, poor and optimistic). I got her fit carefully and she did really well, and the tendons never gave her a moments bother.

She did get sesamoiditis after a few years, which I think was due to the abnormal shape of her legs (she had real flares on her legs!).

She had a year off, and they did settle, but I retired her from proper work.

It is many (30) years ago, and I don't remember more details, but can't remember giving any specific treatment. It was that long ago that her original tendon injury had been pin fired and blistered (prior to me buying her).

I dare say modern vet medicine has progressed to have treatments, especially if you are insured!

 

[Becks01]

Thank you! That's interesting it seems less common...must admit I'd never heard of it before!

He has been working on a surface more than I think he ever has... What issues do you think that might be causing?

He has been barefoot about 6 months which was done to address the toe landing and stumbling, which worked but his sensitivity and intermittent shortness hasn't improved a whole lot... Sigh!

 

[FfionWinnie]

I don't think working on a surface is really ideal for long term soundness. Personally I feel lots of turnout (pref 24/7!), lots of hacking with it built up carefully from 6 weeks walking after any time off, and minimal work on a surface is really the ideal way to keep their legs strong. I also feel barefoot has got to be better than shod in terms of concussion and long term soundness particularly if well managed and the owner has educated themselves on what is the correct angle for the foot etc so can identify issues if they occur.

Are his feet the best they can be? Just been having a little Google and now wondering if it was possibly due to the farrier at the yard at the time shoeing them in a way that made the conditions for it occurring "optimum"!

 

[sjp1]

Have nothing to offer - mine is lame AGAIN so am guessing within the next 10 days am going to have vet out for MRI/Xrays.

Just to say, feel for you, but I am not sure working on surfaces is ideal really - roadwork is very good - having said that, mine has done nothing but roadwork for over 8 weeks whilst recovering from a suspensory tendon injury so I am really in no position to comment!!!