Tightening a leg ...

[CSSporthorses]

Hey all … I have a 6 yr old STB off the track that needs some work done on his RF suspensory. He’s not lame, no heat, but mild swelling. All I wanna do is tighten it back up before we begin his new career as a trail horse. I know I could’ve and should’ve probably posted this in the Horse Care forum, but would rather get the hints from the race COTH’ers. Any ideas/suggestions?

I know some suggest DMSO/Cortizone, some suggest Balls or Balls w/Cortizone … I shaved his leg up today and will be wrapping him tomorrow, just wanted to try to get some ideas for topical before I did anything. My vet/boss will be out on Friday anyhows for some sedations and to check a R knee, but don’t feel he really needs the hands on since we are 100% sound. Thoughts ?

Thanks

[DickHertz]

How old is the injury? Are you going to give him time off?

[DickHertz]

Anyway, I think they all are about the same, but I really like DMSO/Furacin.

[CSSporthorses]

I don’t honestly know how old the injury is. I wish I did. I know he raced about 7-10 days ago in Harrington, did not come in in the money and his owner wished to retire him sound and happy as a 6 yr old. He’s a 7500 claimer and being that that race class is only getting horses in every couple of weeks he said it was time to move on.

From experience, I can say its not a very fresh injury. Definitely not an ounce of heat and not one lame step. The swelling is medial on the RF. And really if you just looked down at his leg you wouldn’t pick up on it. I noticed it when I ran my hand down his legs this afternoon.

Harrington can be tough on the larger guys and it was on and off wet down here the past couple of weeks, so I’m thinking he probably pulled it a bit in the race. And I think it played in his favor that he pretty much stepped into retirement after that.

[animaldoc]

Doesn’t have a cold splint does he?

[CSSporthorses]

Never thought about that, I’ll have to get a better look tomorrow. How much differently does a cold splint present as compared to a splint? I’ve seen plenty of splints pop up …

And I just went on the site, his last race was May 4th …

[Laurierace]

A cold splint looks exactly like a splint because that is what it is. The term cold refers to it being healed and no longer inflamed.

[LKF]

If your horse is at least somewhat sound, with no heat in the area, then you can do a couple things to get the swelling down.
If it is a recent injury (swelling) that has taken place, you can give 2 cc’s of bute paste. That will help in the inflammation.
Next, since there is no heat, you will want to 'sweat ’ the leg for 8 to 12 hours with DMSO and Furazine (I may have spelled that wrong).

1. make sure you clean the leg thoroughly
2. wear gloves when applying DMSO generously to the area
3. generously spread the Furazine around the leg, covering the swollen part
4. take Saran-Wrap (what you use to cover food in the refridge) and LIGHTLY place it over the Furazine area on the leg. Make sure the plastic is NOT tight on the leg - you will cause more damage than good if you’re not careful with the plastic. Just let the plastic attach itself to the cream. Again, don’t tighten the plastic.
5. wrap a quilt over the plastic
6. wrap a standing bandage over the quilt

In the morning, take everything off and cold hose the leg on a ‘gentle’ flow for about 10 to 15 minutes and then allow the horse to move around by either hand grazing or turn out in a paddock. Walking around will help shrink the swelling after it was treated the day before.

[QHJockee]

LKE gave good suggestions, however, I do recommend placing some paper towels, just one layer, between the Furacin and the plastic wrap

[Acertainsmile]

[QUOTE=QHJockee;3212834]
LKE gave good suggestions, however, I do recommend placing some paper towels, just one layer, between the Furacin and the plastic wrap[/QUOTE]

agreed…

[DickHertz]

[QUOTE=LKF;3212270]
If your horse is at least somewhat sound, with no heat in the area, then you can do a couple things to get the swelling down.
If it is a recent injury (swelling) that has taken place, you can give 2 cc’s of bute paste. That will help in the inflammation.
Next, since there is no heat, you will want to 'sweat ’ the leg for 8 to 12 hours with DMSO and Furazine (I may have spelled that wrong).

1. make sure you clean the leg thoroughly
2. wear gloves when applying DMSO generously to the area
3. generously spread the Furazine around the leg, covering the swollen part
4. take Saran-Wrap (what you use to cover food in the refridge) and LIGHTLY place it over the Furazine area on the leg. Make sure the plastic is NOT tight on the leg - you will cause more damage than good if you’re not careful with the plastic. Just let the plastic attach itself to the cream. Again, don’t tighten the plastic.
5. wrap a quilt over the plastic
6. wrap a standing bandage over the quilt

In the morning, take everything off and cold hose the leg on a ‘gentle’ flow for about 10 to 15 minutes and then allow the horse to move around by either hand grazing or turn out in a paddock. Walking around will help shrink the swelling after it was treated the day before.[/QUOTE]

I just got doing this very thing for a horse racing tomorrow at Charles Town.

I know others do the paper towel thing, but I don’t. Either way you should be ok.

[RidersUP]

Actually, depending on the severity of the swelling I also like cool green jelly and then some paper underneath the standing bandage…I have found that it cools and tightens at the same time…I also like the dmso furazone thing, just in some cases when there is swelling in the suspensory I don’t like to make it any hotter than it already is.

[CSSporthorses]

Thank you guys I really appreciate it …

[lrkrame2]

just be sure to watch your ‘cocktail’ carefully after you unwrap it… We’ve had some experiences where its burned the skin…