Hey COTHers!
My horse was recently diagnosed with either a strain or tear of his cruciate ligament in one of his stifles. We have not done arthroscopic surgery to confirm, but did ultrasound and radiographs that are all pointing to that diagnosis…I am pretty devastated to say the least!
He’s 17 and my heart horse. I have had him for 13 years. He deserves a happy retirement and I am 100% ready to give that to him when it’s time but right now I feel in my gut that he isn’t done. I would LOVE for him to return to competition and jumping smaller fences…but of course I am trying to stay realistic and not be selfish. He appreciates a job and has a great work ethic (he’s a bit of a handful not in work right now actually…), so if he can return in some capacity that would make me (and him!) really happy. But again…staying pessimistic so I can avoid disappointment!
Anyone have experience with this type of injury? Success stories? Tips? Advice? Just support to make me feel better? 
Right now I have decided to not proceed with surgery. He’s older, has a forever home with me, has already done a lot for me, and we have nothing to prove. Mostly, I don’t have the time/ability to do the follow up care for the surgery. Right now he lives outside 24:7 and he seems comfortable at the walk and moving around, so I am leaving him out on pasture. I plan to give him 6 months of pasture rest, daily grooming, hand grazing, and cuddles and try to not even think twice about it…then re-check him in the fall. I did elect to do a series of Prostride injections + shockwave (3x, 2 weeks apart). He already had his first appointment for that. He goes in a stall for 1-2 days following the shockwave (per my vet’s instructions…because it has a slight anesthetic effect she says sometimes they will work/play too hard and re-injure or do more damage for a day or two following the shockwave treatment).
I appreciate any conversation or wisdom!
