Suspensory ligament damage

[Nuttymanxmare]

C came in from the field yesterday lame with swelling and heat in her front leg with a huge swelling on her fetlock.

The vet has been today and basically said she has damanged her suspensory ligament and check ligament in the past and it has flared up again (if this is the right terminology!!

)

Luckily she isnt lame at all today which he is very suprised about and she is now on box rest for a few days with a couple of hours turnout and cold hosing as there is still some heat there.

Anyway its a bit of a numpty question but how would he know that she's damaged the tendons in the past??

Ive never had a horse with this problem before so its all greek to me

 

[emmiec12]

i'm really not sure how he would know if it is an old injury or a new one....

i'll be interested to know other peoples thought!

could he have treated her before you had her?

my boy injured himself pratting about with his mates in the field.... it is sooooo frustating!!

 

[annaverrall]

My mare two years ago did her check ligament, after she bolted with me in some woods( one and only time she every done it)

My vet said they can reoccur in older horses and if not given enough time to heal and a rigid fittening programme isnt adhered to. Luckly she has been fine, had to give up cross country though.
My mare has been left with slight thickening around the area, which you can feel if you push near the ligament.
It is hard and boney piece that is formed after the ligament has been damaged . This can be inflamed and agrevated if put under strain.
The advice and warning i was given by my vet was that, it does weaken the area and if traumatised again it can risk damage to the superflexior tendon. Also likely hood of the same occuring to the other leg. Which gave a get out clause for my insurance company.
The injury hasnt stopped me having fun with my horse, just being careful what surface i work her on. No hard summer ground or deep mud.
Hope it helps