Suspensory Sensitivity

[Nocturnal]

Long story short... 3 months ago my horse had a Mctimoney session. The chiro found that my horse was slightly sensitive on both front suspensories, but more so on the left. Advice was to call the vet if any sign of lameness.

No lameness occurred, so I cautiously started work again. I spoke to the farrier about it (horse has flat feet, so I felt foot conformation could be playing a part), and we decided to reduce the time between shoeings, to prevent the toe from getting too long (putting more strain on the suspensory).

Yesterday was the follow up McTimoney treatment; this time the chiro found that the sensitivity had disappeared from the right suspensory, but was more pronounced in the left. The horse is sound - the only clinical sign is a reaction to the ligament being palpated, there has been no heat or swelling either.

Would you scan the leg? It would likely result in an exclusion on the insurance, which seems a shame when there is no lameness. Also, due to a past stifle injury the horse cannot be boxrested for any length of time, so treatments are limited.

I intend to call the vet out to hear his opinion, but I would appreciate any other views on the issue.

 

[Birker2020]

My horse currently has a sprain on the lateral branch of the supsensory ligament. He is receiving walk work in line with daily ultrasound treatment by a physio and regular ice booting of the leg. He has been scanned twice already, the first time followed 2 weeks box rest. I was advised 3 weeks of walking and three of walk and trot with return to full work at the end of the six weeks. Vet came out and rescanned last Friday and there has been no improvement so he is back to four weeks walk work. My horse is only 1/10th if that lame and there is no heat to the leg. I would scan just to make sure. If the horse has the start of a tear/hole there is no telling what exercise will do to it. In these cases, frustrating as it is, when the prognosis is an excellent return to work then the long wait is well worth it. I'm an 'out every weekend competitor' but I am happy to sit it out and give him as much time as he needs.

 

[Nocturnal]

Thanks, for that.

The reason I'm reluctant to scan is that the horse isn't lame... the chiro wasn't even 100% that it needed a vet at all. It's not the wait so much - he needs saddles done again, so can't ride anyway (and I'm used to waiting with this horse ).

I'll see what the vet says, but don't want to be pushed into the scanning/ultrasound/box rest treatment unless strictly neccessary, as box rest would be disastrous for his stifle.

Ho Hum.

 

[TopTotty]

My horse has damaged both her front suspensorys and I would advise caution where work is involved until you are sure she is fine. Tilly injured hers eventing last september and then had 6 months box rest with controlled (sometimes!!) walking in hand of 1/2 hour a day. She is now turned out and I am hacking her. This month I have begun trotting and she seems to be standing up to the work but I am very cautious. It seems that damage can reaccur very easily so if there is any chance your horse may be weak in this area then please take thing carefully. I would not wish you to be where we have been!
Good luck and I hope she is ok.