Time to step down? WWYD

[onlyTBmares]

Bear with me, this is long and rambling and I’m kind of just thinking “aloud” but also asking WWYD.

I have a truly beloved 18year old jumper. I bought him when he was 15 to help me jump bigger. He’s been so amazing, very sound, getting me around the 1.0m like a true schoolmaster star (huge jumps for me!).

Well this year he gets a minor tendon injury in turnout end of January (superficial digital flexor). I ultrasounded him, did the rehab, he came back feeling amazing, very energetic (a little too much), we finally started jumping, probably 4 or 5 times…….and then he comes back in from turnout with a GIANT swollen tendon. I haven’t had the vet image it yet, it was so swollen in th beginning, it’s been getting better but looks to be a similar situation on the other leg….
So…. Is he telling me he needs a new situation? We have small individual turnouts and they get pretty limited time out there. It’s my least favorite thing about my current spot. In the summer they get about 4-6 hours a day max, in the winter it’s more like 2.

There’s not money for another horse and I promised this wonderful animal I would provide him a good retirement. I do not think by any means he’s ready to retire, but perhaps it’s time for a lower level job and some (more important) big turnout. I’m also paying full board and training for a horse I’ve barely ridden since January and that really stings.

I love my barn and my barn family. I even decided to stay when I realized I wasn’t in a program that could get me to the 1.10m with this horse because I’m so happy here otherwise. But I can’t keep justifying the cost if he’s going to keep going lame, and maybe it’s time to find a place we can trail ride and then bop over a couple jumps, maybe haul in some for lessons. Then I could slowly save up for another horse…
I’m very capable of maintaining this animal without a trainer if my goals are to do some dressage and jump a little 2’6”. No so much if I want to pretend like we’re going to show at the 1.0m but it kind of feels like that ship has sailed.

Am I just being dramatic?? I mean, duh but too much? Do I just need to give it a couple months to see how this new rehab goes? I’m spiraling a little bit because I’ve had to cancel my summer plans and struggling living in the unknown but I also want to make sure I’m doing right by him.

[Foxglove]

Suggest you have a good diagnosis with maybe two vets before you decide to do anything. Our upper level event horse Hail Caesar was purchased at age 10 with a healed bow in his back right. After a few years and 1000s of jumps and 10 HT a year, he bowed in the pasture during the winter lay off. Front leg this time. Hail Caesar continued into CIC and CCI++ eventually bowed all four legs. Rest and slow rehab brought him back each time. Finally at age 23, he came home to my farm to retire. When he was almost 30, he no longer willingly walked to the barn --while we did feed him in the pasture for a few weeks, the gate to the the Rainbow Bridge was opened for him on Nov. 20 of the year he turned 29.

This is a video of Hail Caesar from 2009 --blasting the Maui Jim HT in Chicago. Dressage is first, but move to 3:49 to see the brilliant cross country course. . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcxzZlMvGRc

[Janet]

Obviously you need to have your vet look at it, but my gut reaction is that was an AWFULLY SHORT (less than 3 months) rehab.
The rule of thumb I learned was 6 months minimum for a tendon injury.

[Bluey]

18 year old?
The new injury on a different leg?
I expect your vet has checked for Cushings?
That can contribute to those problems if not well regulated.

[Madison]

@onlyTBmares

I do not think by any means he’s ready to retire, but perhaps it’s time for a lower level job and some (more important) big turnout. I’m also paying full board and training for a horse I’ve barely ridden since January and that really stings.

This was a really short time for a horse with a diagnosed tendon injury to be back to jumping. It may feel like an eternity to you, and I get that because I’ve been there, but it wasn’t long at all in terms of a soft tissue injury. There is no way for you to make any decisions about what your horse does or does not need to do until you have your vet out to ultrasound and see the extent of what you are dealing with. Once you know that, your path will likely be a lot more clear, but the amount of time you describe for turnout does not set off alarm bells, unless your vet tells you that your horse needs more movement based on the specific physical issue.

[Tha_Ridge]

I had a kind of similar horse (although not an acute injury like this) and I ultimately decided to move him into a long-term lease situation at a much lower level. We certainly could’ve injected and maintained to keep him going for me, but he loved showing and working enough that it was worth stepping him down to the .80/.90 to give him as long of a career as possible.

[onlyTBmares]

First injury was very minor. The vet had to ultrasound the other leg to see there was anything at all . I was conservative bringing him back to work according to my vet. Not disagreeing with anyone suggesting otherwise but just presenting that data.

[RedHorses]

I would step down and move barns.

Separate question entirely unrelated to what I would do as noted above. Is there any possibility of part boarding/leasing a horse (maybe one of your barn family who is short on time would appreciate help keeping their horse exercised/working without having to pay for pro rides?) at the current barn in order to continue taking lessons there and keep your skills up? (Using the money you save by moving)

[paw]

Minor tendon in January and you’re jumping him 4 months later? Wow. I would never.

Tendons are soft tissue (“the gift that keeps on giving”). They need to be rehabbed carefully and patiently, which jumping is not. And yes, if he’s favoring one leg, the other is likely to go.

I’d find another barn, at this point - you’re going to be doing flat work for at least a year. There’s a lot you can do on the flat that will translate into better fences, and it’s worth taking the time. In any event, you’re going to need to get this horse happily sound before you think about anything else.

[Chestnut24]

@onlyTBmares

There’s not money for another horse and I promised this wonderful animal I would provide him a good retirement. I do not think by any means he’s ready to retire, but perhaps it’s time for a lower level job and some (more important) big turnout. I’m also paying full board and training for a horse I’ve barely ridden since January and that really stings.

Reading your post, this part sticks out to me. It might reflect your gut feeling. Obviously it is good not to jump to conclusions and see what your vet thinks about the possibility to keep him going at 1.m for another while. But like others said, injuries can take an unpredictably long time to really clear up. Could be good to evaluate what your longer term goals are as a rider and start thinking what possibilities lie in that direction while doing good by your horse, which might mean to shift barns for now.

[MorganSercu]

Speaking from firsthand personal experience on my own body - it takes longer to recover from tendon injuries than from breaking a bone.

Jumping needs to end (ETA: for clarity’s sake - for an extended period of time,not necessarily forever). Would your current barn provide a stepped-down boarding rate if he’s pasture boarded (if appropriate for him)? Completely understandable if they don’t, but if ypu do move to a different situation that is also less costly after discussing it with them, then you haven’t burned any bridges if you want to return later.

But recuperation takes time. Do more flatwork, trail riding, etc.

Best wishes that he makes a full recovery!

[ParadoxFarm]

You’ve already received a lot of advice and thoughts on the injury. I would like to add, though, that for the mere reason of limited turnout, I would move. Turnout is essential to a horse’s health and well-being. Even if the barn is perfect for you, you love the people, etc., it’s NOT perfect for your horse. As you horse ages, constant movement is so important. That would be my number one priority at this point. I hope you can find a place you enjoy, and has a lot of turnout. 2 hours is not enough. 4 hours is not enough. Good luck! And speedy healing.

[mmeqcenter]

@onlyTBmares

Well this year he gets a minor tendon injury in turnout end of January (superficial digital flexor). I ultrasounded him, did the rehab, he came back feeling amazing, very energetic (a little too much), we finally started jumping, probably 4 or 5 times…….and then he comes back in from turnout with a GIANT swollen tendon. I haven’t had the vet image it yet, it was so swollen in th beginning, it’s been getting better but looks to be a similar situation on the other leg

@onlyTBmares

First injury was very minor. The vet had to ultrasound the other leg to see there was anything at all .

Three months to go from tendon injury to back to jumping is incredibly quick, IMO. The fact that it was “minor” is rather irrelevant for this kind of a time frame. Minor vs severe might make the difference of 6-12 months rehab vs 18-24 months, but three months is still too short. I’m surprised your vet considered it conservative. I assume he was presenting with lameness, otherwise why did you ultrasound the legs in the first place?
His rehab was not long enough, and he likely blew another tendon compensating for the first one. But, to be honest, a longer rehab would have probably only prolonged the amount of time until your next injury because it’s not just about the rehab, it’s also about the conditioning done after the rehab.

@onlyTBmares

In the summer they get about 4-6 hours a day max, in the winter it’s more like 2.

This is not nearly enough turnout.

No offense, and it’s not your fault, you’re just following the advice of the experts you’ve paid, but I’ve seen your story play out about a thousand times at hunter/jumper show barns up and down the eastern USA.
Horse gets minimal hours of turnout a couple times a week.
Horse injures tendon or ligament, usually DDFT or suspensory, third place is check. Horse is usually in mid-to-late-teens, but also happens often enough as early as 12.
Horse goes through stall rest and “rehab.”
Horse does not get adequate conditioning before rider or trainer wants to start jumping again.
Horse reinjures same or another tendon.
Horse gets sold or retired.
Usually all within about a 12-month time span.

It seems to be a cycle that is just expected and accepted in our world. But it doesn’t have to be.
BOs think that turnout is what is causing the injuries, because they tend to happen in turnout. It is not. Sure, horses that get minimal turnout often act like complete idiots when they do get turned out, so the BO or HO think they need to be bubble wrapped and locked up. They’re wrong. It’s not a problem with turning out, it’s a problem with NOT turning out.

There’s about a billion threads about turning out vs not turning out, so I’m gonna step off my soap box right here.

Could your guy still take you to the 1.0ms in a couple years? Maybe. But not with two hours of turnout, and not with injury-to-jumping in three months flat.

What would I do? Once the horse is past the stall-rest period (assuming your vet suggested that) I’d move the horse somewhere that they can get the most possible turnout, if not 24/7, and plan on flatting for 6+ months after the tendon has healed. With a LOT of walking. I wouldn’t worry about what the future may hold for at least a year, see where he’s at then.

[trubandloki]

@onlyTBmares

Bear with me, this is long and rambling and I’m kind of just thinking “aloud” but also asking WWYD.

I have a truly beloved 18year old jumper. I bought him when he was 15 to help me jump bigger. He’s been so amazing, very sound, getting me around the 1.0m like a true schoolmaster star (huge jumps for me!).

Well this year he gets a minor tendon injury in turnout end of January (superficial digital flexor). I ultrasounded him, did the rehab, he came back feeling amazing, very energetic (a little too much), we finally started jumping, probably 4 or 5 times…….and then he comes back in from turnout with a GIANT swollen tendon. I haven’t had the vet image it yet, it was so swollen in th beginning, it’s been getting better but looks to be a similar situation on the other leg….
So…. Is he telling me he needs a new situation? We have small individual turnouts and they get pretty limited time out there. It’s my least favorite thing about my current spot. In the summer they get about 4-6 hours a day max, in the winter it’s more like 2.

There’s not money for another horse and I promised this wonderful animal I would provide him a good retirement. I do not think by any means he’s ready to retire, but perhaps it’s time for a lower level job and some (more important) big turnout. I’m also paying full board and training for a horse I’ve barely ridden since January and that really stings.

I love my barn and my barn family. I even decided to stay when I realized I wasn’t in a program that could get me to the 1.10m with this horse because I’m so happy here otherwise. But I can’t keep justifying the cost if he’s going to keep going lame, and maybe it’s time to find a place we can trail ride and then bop over a couple jumps, maybe haul in some for lessons. Then I could slowly save up for another horse…
I’m very capable of maintaining this animal without a trainer if my goals are to do some dressage and jump a little 2’6”. No so much if I want to pretend like we’re going to show at the 1.0m but it kind of feels like that ship has sailed.

Am I just being dramatic?? I mean, duh but too much? Do I just need to give it a couple months to see how this new rehab goes? I’m spiraling a little bit because I’ve had to cancel my summer plans and struggling living in the unknown but I also want to make sure I’m doing right by him.

Curious, are you using an Equine vet or a vet that also does horses?

Is there a referral hospital near you that you could go for diagnostics and a rehab plan?

[onlyTBmares]

To answer some questions:
Yes I am using an equine vet who is well respected in our area amongst the sport horse community. He is on stall rest and waiting on getting another round of ultrasounds. I have not talked with another vet for a second opinion but am open to it. We have not tested for cushings but I’m also open to that.

We have a waitlist so we’re a full training only barn for boarders. I could not afford a half lease but we do have lesson horses. I could move him to a larger turnout and more casual place and come ride once a week and try to stay connected.

I would also ask that people responding try to choose kindness. I am doing my best and in a very emotionally charged state right now. I appreciate the advice and opinions

[RAyers]

What was the exact injury? Was there a lesion? Simple thickening? What was the actual rehab?

All of things play when judging time back to work.

I am an advocate of lots of walks over a variety of terrain (lots of long hills, up and down) and lots of different surfaces (arena, dirt road, pavement, grass). The key in rehabbing is shock loading and movement. One can condition and prepare a horse for the 1.0m fences at the walk if they have access to the aforementioned types of riding surfaces. I prepared a horse for Advanced eventing at the walk and trot (had lots of serious mountain terrain).

My current guy had a SFT in the hind from kicking. We spent the off season hacking out and just enjoying life. Came back like a champion.

[onlyTBmares]

Injury was very minor thickening and no lesion. And to answer someone else’s question, yes he presented lame, 2 or 3/5 for one day. Then more like 1/5 for a week. There was some localized inflammation on the tendon for probably a week.

[onlyTBmares]

And we do lots of walking up and down our gravel driveway which is probably 100ft of elevation but I don’t have access to longer conditioning types of trails.

[RAyers]

So, 4 months is not out of the question. But at the same time, as you rehab, it is time to INCREASE the strength of the tendon, which doesn’t happen in an arena, especially deep footing. The best place to do tendon rehab is a paved parking lot, packed dirt and paved roads (seriously). Think about 30 minute hard surface hacks. As time goes add the trot on hard pavement. Similar to old school legging up done for long format eventers. I would trot my advanced horse on a dirt road for 45 minutes.

The key is creating micro tears that the body has to heal while healing the primary injury. This trains the biology to create new tissue. That is where shock loading comes in. No different than shock wave. The key is judicious use. Once a week trot while a daily walk is OK.

[blondewithchrome]

Similar experience for me with a wonderful older guy who pulled up lame and had a tendon tear. With correct treatment and rehab, we believe he can step down to a flat only job for the final stop in his career so I am all for the “take it easy, take it slow” route if this is a horse you want to be able to ride and enjoy. Rehabbing these injuries can be long and heartbreaking, but if you set lower goals and expectations, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised with how much horse you have a year from now! Good luck!