Update on Rudy

[Benjamin]

This is also in NL and Comp riders......BB's suggested I put it here too apologies for the duplication, but trying to gather information.

Firstly, I just want to thank all of you who took the effort to reply to my thread on Rudy. And to all the people who PM'd me.

Basically, I got the vet to check him over.
She came out with Annabel Jenks. We spent ages discussing what had gone on, both of them went over him, flexion tests etc.. It was decided that he was to go into the parctice for a full work up and also a scope to check for ulcers.

I took him in last Wednesday evening.
The results were this.
He has a slight imbalance in his front right, which is why he failed flexion there. This will be remedied when he is next shod.
Free from any gastric ulcers
No reason to suspect KS or any spinal impingement.
Considering I didn't think he was lame, this next bit of news was a little bit shocking.
He has moderate damage to BOTH hind suspensories. He was xaryed, blocked, then scanned. He was started on a course of shockwave and is now on bute and box rest with 2 10 minute walks every day.

Vet seems to think that the damage has been there for a couple of months

But, I do not think this has much to do with the bucking. Yes, I believe it is kind of related, but he aparently bucked before I got him......did he have this injury too?

Does anyone have experiences with this type of injury? And how successful is shockwave?

Thank you once again for all your advice. It was much appreciated.

 

[Marchtime]

Damage to the hind suspensories doesn't always result in true lameness. Often horses are diagnosed with PSD (hind limb suspensory damage) following on from bad behaviour - bucking, unwillingness to go forward and the like.
My boy was diagnosed aged 5yrs. He had shockwave followed by six months rest (he was young so we decided to turn him away for six months). He came back in to work sound but we made the decision not to jump him as he showed promise as a dressage horse.
Sadly this year following injuries to his front collateral ligament his hind suspensory has gone again but this time we've made the decision to retire him. He's only 10yrs old but the front leg ligament damage but too much strain on his old injury. Had he not had this though I think he would have been fine.
Normally there is a positive outcome following shockwave. However might be worth having a physio check him every few months once back in work as sacroiliac injuries can result from the horses using themselves incorrectly.
Stay positive though, it usually has a good outcome.