Suspensory ligament advice needed...

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_jetset_

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(Also in Veterinary - but thought more people would see it here)

As many of you know, Grace had an acute injury to the root of the suspensory in November. She was on 6 weeks of box rest, after which time she could be walked out twice a day for 15 minutes.

Unfortunately, she developed colic and underwent surgery on 16th December and finally came out on 26th December and was walked out four times a day for grass. I brought her home on 9th January, and have been taking her out for some grass for 15 minutes twice a day and then walking her for 10 minutes.

Here lies the problem... I started walking her on the lane but she was getting very silly and I was worried about her damaging herself internally. My other issue was that if she got away from me, there is a road at the bottom and also several LARGE fields she could gallop around in

So I have been walking her in the arena. It is a sand and rubber arena surface which is very compacted and is not deep at all. I was just wondering whether anyone knew whether this would be ok on her ligament? I have tried speaking to the vet, but he is not available at the moment to have a chat with...
 
I guess if its really not that deep and she isn't being silly, only walking (apart from the odd jog! which you'd expect!) it won't be a problem, it's just digging in, turning and accelerating, pushing off, etc that is the problem isn't it? Or anything that is "holding" like sucky mud.

Have you run around on it and felt it? I know you'll look an idiot! Can I watch?

No, really, if she's only sinks about half inch, just the shoes or thereabouts it'll be okay. Better than getting het up.
 
She doesn't even sink that far...

My other worry is that she sinks in the field, but there is nothing I can do about this
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Hers is the root of the suspensory, so not at the branch near the fetlock. Her injury was literally right behind the hock.
 
When you say field, does this mean you are turning her out? Or do you mean when you cross over to take her to the school?

I wouldn't worry if you're going in a straight line and in one pace, pref walk, not accelerating, to get across.
 
I walked mine out of the gate and let him eat grass on the verges, village green etc he was calmer that way and stood on smooth surface, but, if she's busy stuffing herself then she'll be fine I think what you don't want is them tearing madly off across the field using that ligament to thrust good and proper, turn and pull it hard out of a sucky mud. So you seem to be doing the right thing in my HUMBLE opinion....
 
Thanks... I tried taking her just up and down the drive but she was that busy nosying at things and being silly that she wasn't actually eating any grass... which is why the yard owner offered me the use of a field but due to the weather it is pretty wet. She only walks around at the end of the line and doesn't go very far.
 
Equissage has worked well on a few suspensory ligament injuries I have seen, the horses in question were also walked in the arena, just as you're doing at the moment. Good luck with her
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Hi Becki as you know Spider has the same but on boths hinds.

Up until today I was doing all work on concrete or out hacking, but due to her getting a bit over excited and me falling off yesterday!
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And he cantering off I have decided it is safer in the school, she is on 30mins walk and 5mins trot at the mo and am going to do that in the school until at least the weekend, well until she behaves!

So im sure you will be fine, as long as it isnt too deep
 
Thanks everyone... I have an Equissage so she will start having that on soon, I just wanted to give her time to settle in
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I walked her around tonight in the arena and she was so good, I thought I had the wrong horse. She was chilled out, relaxed and stretching down
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I think she is getting into a good routine now, and hopefully we can increase the amount of time she is walked in the arena a little too depending on her colic surgery recovery
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Hi becki,
My mare's just had an op for this and I am doing her in-hand walking in the manege too. Our yard has a wide driveway leading directly on to a road so I wasn't too happy about risking her getting away from me!
She seems fine. The surface is rubber and, like yours, not deep or holding.
I'm sure it'll be fine
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Best of luck with your girl, hope it all goes well for you.
 
My vet told me it was fine to do it on the school. I had the opposite problem to you, followed me around like a dead dog up and down the lane, but as soon as she got to the school she was leaping of all four legs and trying to roll.
 
I think it very much depends on the surface
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I was told not to take her on unstable surfaces... but I am having issues because I am having to take her into a field which is quite wet at the moment for grass for her colic surgery recovery. It is a catch 22 situation for me at the moment
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