|
|
Post by colmworthdales on Jan 13, 2012 20:09:58 GMT -1
Was wondering if anyone has had pony with a strained achilles tendon? (not sure what it is called in a pony, but the big tendon above the hock at back of leg). My old Dales mare (rising 22) came in from field for a ride just before Christmas and was really lame in trot, not bad in walk. I gave her a week off work, then lunged her and no improvement. Then called in my super equine osteopath as I couldn't see when she was lame. Sprain to her achilles tendon was the verdict and although not very swollen (under all the coat so not easy to feel) there is hardly any heat.
She has been on No-Bute for a year which keeps her sound enough to ride so have not given her anything else. She is happy and living out with rest of my ponies. Assume she damaged herself playing in field which is not muddy (we are in drought-struck Bedfordshire).
Any suggestions? My books all talk about front leg ligament injuries, but none mention hind legs!
|
|
|
|
Post by valerie n scout on Jan 13, 2012 22:11:20 GMT -1
oh bless her I jave had no experience..but I hope you can settle her pain poor lass XXX
|
|
|
|
Post by heathera on Jan 14, 2012 7:56:24 GMT -1
With lameness and tendon problems I always tend to involve my vet. Most tendon injuries respond well if you can give a period of rest in a stable or small barn as they need time for the torn fibres to heal.
It's also important that you have prescription only anti inflammatories like bute or Danilon as secondary damage occurs very quickly and easily if the inflammation in and around the tendon isn't reduced quite quickly.
The only way to know whether she's torn a muscle, damaged a tendon or strained a ligament is to nerve block and do scans.
Given she's older then you're potentially juggling this injury with managing arthritic joints which wouldn't respond well to box rest.
When Rose had inflammation and irritation to a hind leg tendon 18 months ago we had it scanned to see how bad the damage was and exactly what the problem was as it could have been ligament or fetlock joint strain. Once we knew what it was they injected stuff directly into the tendon to encourage it to heal with proper tendon tissue rather than scar tissue. She had a series of three of these injections in total. She had a months box rest with grazing in hand twice a day to keep her joints moving and we then let her out into a small pen on the grass and gradually made her pen bigger over the next month before putting her out with the herd and giving her a further six months off.
She's now back in work and doing really well with no sign of the tendon injury at all. We gave her an extended fittening program and she doesn't do canter work in the arena but that's more due to my concerns than to her showing any soundness issues.
Tendon injuries do take months to heal. The cheapest option is to turn them away for six months after the first couple of months of initial, restricted movement recovery and then see what happens when you bring back into work.
|
|
|
|
Post by heathera on Jan 14, 2012 7:58:15 GMT -1
Just a quick additional comment that Rose had no heat or swelling to the tendon that you could feel from outside but you could see the damage and swelling on the ultrasounds.
|
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Jan 14, 2012 11:20:58 GMT -1
Just a matter of curiosity, but are equine osteopaths also vets? Here in the US they have to be vets first and then specialize further, like our chiropractors.
Thankfully I have no firsthand experience with ponies, but I'd agree with Heather, its better to have a full idea of what's going on if you can. In otherwords, if it were my pony, I'd be bringing in my regular vet if my osteopath wasn't already the vet for my pony, and I'd be seriously considering scans to find how extensive the damage is. Unless the vet and osteopath were convinced the recovery plan would be the same no matter what the scans said.
|
|
|
|
Post by colmworthdales on Jan 14, 2012 18:31:06 GMT -1
Thanks to Heathera and everyone else who replied. I spoke to my vet today - on another matter - and she said that a scan would be good, but that after a couple of weeks the healing has probably started. Certainly, Minnie (Swayfield Jasmin) seems a lot happier over last couple of days. I am loathe to start box rest now as she seems - touch wood - to be behaving in the field. I bring in all 4 ponies for their tea and a bit of hay - and now always lead Minnie is to prevent the normal great 'charge through the orchard and sliding round the corner' that the youngsters always do. They then all walk out sedately to find the rest of their hay about 7pm. Just keep fingers crossed that i his regime will work for her. As I said before, she is rising 22 so definitely a bit arthriticky and keeps happier in the field. Great shame she is getting older as she has been a complete star all her life (had her since a 3 yr old) and we have done so much together.
|
|
|
|
Post by heathera on Jan 15, 2012 7:14:07 GMT -1
That's good news that she's feeling happier. I know what you mean about the galloping in for tea, these older ladies just refuse to acknowledge their age  Hopefully with time and gentle movement she'll come sound again for you. |
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Jan 15, 2012 7:51:11 GMT -1
That sounds good. As an owner of several oldies I understand your thinking completely.
|
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Jan 16, 2012 10:33:15 GMT -1
 long may the healing continue! It sounds very sensible to lead them all in. Even the youngsters can do themselves an injury with all the haring about they love to do around mealtimes. Add mud, and the chances of injury go up.
|
|
|
|
Post by colmworthdales on Jan 24, 2012 18:57:57 GMT -1
My old lady is feeling much better now. Still have not had time,or inclination due to bad weather/visibility to walk her up the road, but on Saturday she gave my twin 4 year old grand-daughters another ride. They had a lovely time helping me get most of the accumulated mud and filth off her - standing like a rock as they attacked her fetlocks and tail!
She is so good with tinies and although a big lady she walks very carefully beside me around the arena. She stops dead when they pull on the reins and carefully starts again when they kick (usually the saddle flaps!) and talk to her.
She was a bit full of herself as had nothing for about 6 weeks, but still behaved herself as well as ever. Star pony!
When the weather cheers up - on a day when I am at home (why do the 2 so seldom come together) I will definitely start road walking her again and see how she goes.
|
|
|
|
Post by harveydales on Jan 24, 2012 20:15:27 GMT -1
Sounds like a plan. Lovely to hear how good she is with your tinies. These ponies are real stars. |
|
|
|
Post by Debbie on Jan 26, 2012 10:48:38 GMT -1
 such a gem! I love to watch horses and ponies that are excellent with children. Its always such a joy to see them oh so careful with their tiny charges
|
|
