Shock Wave, rest or both- WWYD?

[dixie]

So I now have an answer as to why my horse uncharacteristically bucked me off the other day. He has damaged his suspensory for the second time and he’s only 7

Last time we just hacked him gently for a few months and then after scanning re-started upping his work

This time Vet has suggested Shock Wave which is starting next week in order to get the treatment in before the years insurance is up.

However I’m thinking of not riding him for a year and give him a proper time span to heal, if at all possible.

I’m in a bit of a dilemma as to what to do and I’m not sure of the Shock Wave, as I’ve heard it’s not very nice.

What is Shock Wave actually like and how long does it take for each treatment?

He is a very nice horse and I want to do the best for him even if it takes a very long time.

Picture of said gorgeous horse.

 

[Red-1]

Jay Man had shockwave for a suspensory, and PRP. The vet said he would need sedating but I wanted to try without. He stood beautifully, unrestrained, with the vet on a little mobile stool doing the treatment. It was a bit noisy and rattly but I can't think it hurt much as Jay would have let us know.

However, I do think it was the long rest I gave him that did the real healing. I think he had pretty much a year. I did walk him out in hand. We had little mini-adventures.

 

[July dreamer]

My old cob (now 21) damaged a front suspensory last July. It wasn't diagnosed straight away, he has other problems like arthritis and is a prime candidate for laminitis but once we had the diagnosis my vet recommended 3 shock wave treatments 10 days apart. It takes probably about 10 minutes for each session and it is incredibly noisy, a loud rapping sound. I think most horses are sedated, mine wasn't, by the 3rd treatment he didn't even stop eating his hay. It does hurt, or so the vet told me when he tried it on his hand, but obviously not enough to worry some horses! My boy continued to live out during treatment and then I start riding out in walk for 15 mins increasing to 40 mins over 6 weeks, as instructed by my vet. We can ride out in walk for an hour or more and I have to make him trot for 5 mins once a week. I definitely would go for the shockwave again if needed. I was warned it would be 9 months to a year for recovery. My vet is coming out again next week for a checkup.

Hope that helps

 

[dixie]

Jay Man had shockwave for a suspensory, and PRP. The vet said he would need sedating but I wanted to try without. He stood beautifully, unrestrained, with the vet on a little mobile stool doing the treatment. It was a bit noisy and rattly but I can't think it hurt much as Jay would have let us know.

However, I do think it was the long rest I gave him that did the real healing. I think he had pretty much a year. I did walk him out in hand. We had little mini-adventures.

Thanks, that’s good to know. I’m leaning towards giving him a year off too.

 

[dixie]

My old cob (now 21) damaged a front suspensory last July. It wasn't diagnosed straight away, he has other problems like arthritis and is a prime candidate for laminitis but once we had the diagnosis my vet recommended 3 shock wave treatments 10 days apart. It takes probably about 10 minutes for each session and it is incredibly noisy, a loud rapping sound. I think most horses are sedated, mine wasn't, by the 3rd treatment he didn't even stop eating his hay. It does hurt, or so the vet told me when he tried it on his hand, but obviously not enough to worry some horses! My boy continued to live out during treatment and then I start riding out in walk for 15 mins increasing to 40 mins over 6 weeks, as instructed by my vet. We can ride out in walk for an hour or more and I have to make him trot for 5 mins once a week. I definitely would go for the shockwave again if needed. I was warned it would be 9 months to a year for recovery. My vet is coming out again next week for a checkup.

Hope that helps

Yes, it does help. Thanks
The appointment for the first Shock Wave is a bit of a rush as it’s Tuesday and he was only scanned yesterday, so it’s been difficult for me to process and find out info on this procedure.
His insurance runs out on the 12th June, so they’re planning to do it every week to get all three covered.

 

[Red-1]

Yes, it does help. Thanks
The appointment for the first Shock Wave is a bit of a rush as it’s Tuesday and he was only scanned yesterday, so it’s been difficult for me to process and find out info on this procedure.
His insurance runs out on the 12th June, so they’re planning to do it every week to get all three covered.

As with July Dreamer, mine didn't get any worse over the three treatments, so it can't have been that bad for the horse.

I did a lot of ice, and bought an Arc Equine. The vet didn't rubbish either intervention.

 

[dixie]

I bought an Arc Equine last year, which I put down to him improving quickly then.

Was your horse visibly lame?
My definitely isn't - it was the explosive buck that gave it away ! and I've since lunged him to see if there was a problem and realised he was disuniting and looking uncomfortable in canter. If I just hacked and didnt school, it might have taken some time to notice anything was amiss.

 

[Parrotperson]

I often think you can’t beat proper time off for this sort of thing. It’s a lovely horse and you’re doing to right to be cautious and think of the future.

 

[bluehorse]

I decided against shockwave for mine, but I did try Indiba therapy which I felt made a difference, it was more of a tweak than major damage though. He had Indiba, 3 months off (not box rest as advised by the vet!) then a gradual return to exercise, in hand walking initially. I walked that horse for miles round the lanes!!

 

[Red-1]

I decided against shockwave for mine, but I did try Indiba therapy which I felt made a difference, it was more of a tweak than major damage though. He had Indiba, 3 months off (not box rest as advised by the vet!) then a gradual return to exercise, in hand walking initially. I walked that horse for miles round the lanes!!

What is that? I have not heard of Indiba therapy.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Time out in the field is the best healer

Ive also heard indiba is more successful than shockwave but i dont know details/havent used it myself

 

[Dexter]

Yes, it does help. Thanks
The appointment for the first Shock Wave is a bit of a rush as it’s Tuesday and he was only scanned yesterday, so it’s been difficult for me to process and find out info on this procedure.
His insurance runs out on the 12th June, so they’re planning to do it every week to get all three covered.

Will insurance cover it if hes previously damaged it?

 

[dixie]

Yes they should - it’s the same injury really and the first claim was last year, which is why we’re trying to get the treatment in before the year is up.

 

[bluehorse]

@Red-1 I’m not sure exactly how it works, it’s a few years ago that I used it and I did educate myself at the time but I can’t remember . Search in here and you will find some posts, it’s usually offered by physios etc rather than vets.

I would use it in preference to shockwave if I had another injury to deal with, my horse accepted it very well and was very relaxed during treatment. At his 3 month scan my vat was impressed with his recovery but of course it’s impossible to know how well he would have recovered without it.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Mine had an 80% tear in a hind suspensory. It healed beautifully with shockwave. He was sedated for it as it's quite loud so I doubt he knew anything about it.
The reason why ligaments to re-injure is because they heal with scar tissue, which is weak. Shockwave breaks down and prevents the scar tissue from forming so the ligament heals strong. The machine puts some kind of radio waves through the tissue.
I'd definitely have it done again if needed.