Experiences w/ Suspensory Rehab

[FromTheGalaxy]

I don’t have stalls at my farm, so all of my horses are on 24/7 turnout. Have recently had two soft tissue injuries: one a minor strain/tendonitis of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons in the carpal canal (inside of knee) and the other a tear of the long digital extensor tendon in hock. In both of these instances the vets allowed/recommended full turnout since that is what my horses are used to. The extensor tendon injury was definitely the worse of the two, but the mare is now on month 6 of rest and hopefully will get the all clear to slowly return to work after her checkup next week.

I imagine that stall rest/turnout protocol is really dependent on each individual situation. If you have a horse that goes a bit nuts in turnout and has a serious injury, then stall rest would probably be better for quicker healing. However, I’m a big believer in allowing the horse to get moving as soon as possible, and find that although mine can have their yahoo moments, for the most part they walk around calmly and are much happier being out all the time.

[hoopoe]

This video from Idaho Horseshoeing school dropped yesterday. I think the information presented about shoeing considerations for his injury is interesting. It might help someone in the future.

SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT Sprain Horseshoe

[Pico_Banana]

This is basically the same design as the Denoix suspensory shoes. I believe I read about them that they also transfer some of the burden from the suspensory to the DDFT, which seems to make sense.

I have noticed when we are in the ring that her heels do sink noticeably more than her toes with these shoes.

@Feathered_Feet I’ll try to get some photos and post them.

[hoopoe]

@Amberley

This is what the recommendations were 30 years ago, so not sure if it’s new or if its a return to an older method as extended stall rest sees no additional benefit? Or if perhaps it is specific to individual horses and their circumstances.

My horse had injury back in the late 80s/early 90s. before imaging tech and all the other supporting tech. Rx was stall rest with Zinc wrap one month then three month out in paddock. with slow return. The vet said, "do it right, now, or pay in the long run. To my knowledge he never had issues again.

[Pico_Banana]

Here are the shoes.

This is the “normal” hind suspensory shoe, i.e., branches the same width.

This is the one with the wider branch on the outside, as she has an outer branch injury.

No judgment that I didn’t pick her feet for these photos.

[Feathered_Feet]

Thanks for sharing! So is it just wider on one side, or is the other side actually thicker, too? Maybe it’s just the angle of the photo but the last pic looks like the right side is thicker/would raise the heel more. And is the goal here, with the “thinner” right side, to just allow the right side to stretch more?

With my horse with NPA I don’t know that anyone will suggest letting her heels sink down more, frankly, but interesting to see how you might shoe for a suspensory injury in the absence of NPA.

[Pico_Banana]

It’s the same thickness on both sides, although I agree the photo makes it looks thinner.

[Pico_Banana]

Reporting back on this thread because I feel like I need to shout it from the rooftops - ultrasound today showed the suspensory is COMPLETELY HEALED!!!

Still a ways to go before we are back in full work mode, but I’ll take it.

[Tha_Ridge]

Congratulations! What a huge relief.

[xQHDQ]

I just joined the suspensory injury club and it sucks. We’re almost at 1 month. Left front with bone involvement and a little on the right front (vet says that’s normal). She wanted him out like normal even if he does something stupid (which he does often) because although it will delay healing, it will be better healing. I can also tack walk for 30 min.

While I tack up I use a PEMF pad that I bought for me (not Beamer but has science to back it up). It’s a little smaller than an ipad and I tie it to his leg. I feel it helps me with my back pain, and my vet said why not. Anything that can stimulate blood flow is good. After I ride I put him in ice boots while I untack. We’ll ultrasound next week, although vet thinks it’s too soon to see anything, and then MRI again in 4 months and go from there. Cha ching!

I pulled his shoes because he kept losing them anyway and there was almost nothing to nail to. His front feet look horrible - little nubs - but they only seemed to bother him for the first week. Our indoor has soft footing. I’ll take him for hacks once his feet look a little better.

Just needed to share with people who understand how hard this is.

[hut-ho78]

Awesome!

[hut-ho78]

Yes, it is hard. Good luck.