should i go for it or wrap him in cottonwool??

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blackhorse37

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Hi, i have a 7yo ISH 16.2hh. In aug lasyt year he went lame behind and was diagnosed with sesamoid lig damage and ringbone (high articular) The vet said he believed the lameness 1/10, was caused by the lig and said the ringbone was "old" and fused.

He has been sound since nov apart from very occasional stiffness for the first few seconds of the first trot and has been in work all the time.

My question is...should i do as the vet said and "use him as normal" or should i do as i have been doing and mollycoddle him?? (must add, he is on a joint supplement and has a cartrophen inj every 3-6 months, but no pain killer/antiinflam) By "normal" the vet understands that i used him for dressage and showing and occasional jumping (small stuff) but since he was diagnosed i have only hacked him. Would love to compete him again as we both love it but im scared to!!
 
I had a pony who damaged her sesamoid ligament, she dished quite badly and vet said the damage was caused by her dishing where the ligament was being permenantly stretched, anyhoo that's beside the point, she was ridden continually but only as a light hack, in walk and canter she was sound but in trot always nodded, she was used as a lead rein plod for a small child and then was retired, was such a shame as until she went lame she loved jumping and was proving to be quite a good little jumper, but we never jumped her again after she went lame.

Did you have to box rest him initially, we did 6 weeks box rest at the outset but it made no difference whatsoever, then vet done MRI and confirmed damage was irreversible.
 
Personally I would listen to your vet and "go for it". I know horses with ringbone that lead a full and active life. If you continue with the injections, I would hope there wouldn't be a problem, but if you are concerned about what the vet said, could you get a second opinion to put your mind at rest?

I too have mollycoddle my horse over the years, he's a 20 year old pure arab, but have learnt this last winter, his first living out 24/7 since I've had him, that horses are alot more hardy than we think. As long as they are fed well, looked after and rugged well when the weather's not as it's best, they can do great!!
 
He was on box rest for 4 weeks but got so stressed the vet said he would do less harm in restricted turnout which we did for 2 weeks, then walk work (5mins a day building up to 45mins gradually) Another ultrasound showed completely repaired lig. Also was sound on pastern flexion tests.
 
I would say go for it but take it slow and work out a programme and build him up. It will take a while to get him back ready for showing etc but if you take your time he should be fine and will probably enjoy it too!
 
blackhorse37 said:
He was on box rest for 4 weeks but got so stressed the vet said he would do less harm in restricted turnout which we did for 2 weeks, then walk work (5mins a day building up to 45mins gradually) Another ultrasound showed completely repaired lig. Also was sound on pastern flexion tests.
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In which case take your vets advice, seems yours was a lucky lad and it repaired, because of our ponys dish hers would never repair, vet likened it to repetative strain injury, good luck :)
 
Thanks all. TBH i think im more worried about the ringbone now but obviously the lig is still in my mind.

Does anyone have experience with the Cartrophen injs i am giving him?
 
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