Soft tissue damage in young event horse

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sassyequine

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Having lost my 5 year old last year to stifle and PSD injuries I bought another lovely 4yr old mare in October. Full clean vetting inc 52 x-rays and bloods. She went chronically suddenly lame on her left fore on boxing day, we suspected an absess. Unfortuately its not and she remained 3/5 lame, her heels have since collapsed and so we have had her natural balance shod to bring her toes back. Last week when we blocked the foot out the lameness swapped to the right fore.

She is now lame 2/5 right fore, worse when it is on the outside on the lunge. X rays today show no significant changes except for some vascular activity under her pedal bone caused by her dropped heels. Next steps are a build up using nerve blocks on her right fore to narrow down the lameness followed by a newmarket MRI.

What I am interested in is anyones experience of youngsters with soft tissue damage in the feet, their recovery and prognosis, particularly in competition horses. Having lost 2 horses in 2 years I cant bear to think what may happen. However I am also not prepared to put her through surgery if there is only a small chance of recovery to hacking activity.
All experience appreciated.
 
Sorry I have no knowledge of recovery from soft tissue injuries in feet but just wanted to say I feel for you and your situation. I'm currently going through the same thing with my young event horse, just turning 6, and suspect he may have to be pts eventually. It's heart breaking and you have my empathy.
 
In my experience soft tissue damage in the palmar aspect of the foot can only be improved by keep the horse perfectly trimmed and shoeless for a good period, thus stimulating the tissue to regenerate and get tough by being used.

How long has she been shod? Its very strange to have soft tissue damage in the feet at this tender age.
 
my horse was said to have soft tissue damage in both front feet ( hes 8) and heels collasped the near fore more so. had 3 mths box rest, came sound only to go lame again after we introduced jumping again after 3 mths. had an mri and he has damaged his collateral ligaments in both front feet. it is a very very long road to recovery - up to 12mths we are on mth 2 !!. i feel for you has i lost my last young horse to navicular so i am hoping history doesnt repeat itself too. good luck and hugs x
 
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