pastern fracture

[sandsarita]

Another update. She had been making improvement, but on hard surface at vet t follow-up she was still sore trotting circle to right, sound straight and to left. Did about 3 months of ponying (with ace help). Vet had us start trotting under saddle. Was sound at slow and medium trot, but still off at larger trot (not even her full trot). Trainer was wondering if she had scar tissue from being non mobile for so long.

About 3 weeks ago she was still off, then had a major bucking fit for unknown reason. After that she has been better even at a bigger trot where she had been sore. At check yesterday, she looked great even trotting to right on hard surfaces. Now to start some turnout in a controlled situation (with ace) and then to start cantering assuming she stays sound. First time I have felt encouraged.

[JB]

@sandsarita

About 3 weeks ago she was still off, then had a major bucking fit for unknown reason. After that she has been better even at a bigger trot where she had been sore. At check yesterday, she looked great even trotting to right on hard surfaces. Now to start some turnout in a controlled situation (with ace) and then to start cantering assuming she stays sound. First time I have felt encouraged.

That’s great!

Given the change in soundness after her bucking fit, I would bet she broke loose an adhesion which was either sore, or causing a mechanical lameness.

[sandsarita]

Thanks. That’s the prevailing idea. Finally broke the scar tissue up. Have to say that first short but sweet canter in so,it’s 9 months was amazing. Will continue to take it slow esp until we are a year out from the injury but can finally see some light here

[silverdog]

My horse was off for a year after an avulsion fracture proximal right front suspensory. Did not jog sound on hard surface to right in June. He had been on pasture rest for the majority of the year. Vet not terribly hopeful in June but OK’d walking under saddle. Did so for 6 weeks and then he looked sound on lunge so veeeery carefully started adding some trot and more challenging trails at the trot. He is 2.5 mths out from starting back to work and is now probably 50/50 walk and trot on trails. I do need to start doing some ring work to get him a bit straighter. Occasionally he may look stiff on right fore but I ride with a heart rate monitor and his heart rate remains stable if not improving so he is not painful. Starting canter in a few weeks. Like the trot it will be on groomed ring surfaces first for short periods of time. So my take from the experience is that lots of walking is very beneficial. My horse has changed disciplines from H/J and eventing to endurance for a variety of reasons but the endurance training seems to be very beneficial. I am still terrified that he will come in from his pasture dead lame one of these days.

[sandsarita]

Silver dog I understand your fears completely. I am always terrified she will be lame every time I take her out

interesting how different programs are for vets and horses. Turnout was the verynlast thing my vets want her to do. Afraid she will reinjure herself.

Have to to say that her first canter this week had me crying. Vets though a month ago we had no chance of doing anything besides broodmare. At this appointme to he was like what have you done differently. This is a completely different horse. Now we are cautiously hopeful she will make it to show pen. Will see.

[sandsarita]

Since this was a very weird injury that even my referral vets were unsure how this would play out I want to update Incase someone is searching for this type of injury. We are a full year out from injury and one month shy of being a year out from surgery and knock on wood she is doing great. I showed her on the flat on her one year anniversary for the first time without issues. (With successful placings I might add). She trots sound even on hard surfaces and when flexed is sore for a few strides and then comes out of it.

Plan is is to start working on lead changes and pole work. Then if doing well to jump over the summer. She is also being started for pleasure driving on the aqha circuit and is ground driving well.

Still I’ll have to see long term but at this moment I am thrilled with how she is doing

[Texarkana]

Yay! Great update!