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Discussion on Leg bandaging advice for foal with lax tendons
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Member:
carocbr
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 1:43 pm:
I'd really appreciate some advice on bandaging techniques for my 5 week old draft foal.
He was born 3 weeks early, and still has very lax tendons in both hind legs. His fetlocks are just off the ground, but luckily his feet are flat and x-rays have shown there's nothing sinister going on inside.
The lax tendons are supposed to tighten without help over 2-3 weeks. However, he's such a big guy and getting heavy at 5 weeks so it seems the extra size and weight are working against him now. We've had advice from ISU and some foal shoeing experts on the Web.
He's just had glue-on plastic cuffs with aluminium heel extensions fitted. On the upper side of the heel extension, a plate is rivetted which allows a bungee cord to be threaded through and the bungee runs up the back of his fetlock and up the cannon bone.
The idea is that we have to bandage his fetlock to below the hock and have to incorporate the ends of the tightened bungee cords in the bandage.
The bungees then provide support assistance for the tendons, lifting his fetlocks to a better angle and in theory within 5 - 10 days the tendons should shrink and work better by themselves.
Because the bungees have to be tight, they pull on the bandage and it slips down a few inches so reducing the effect. I'm using polo wraps and lots of Vetrap over the top - from below the hock to round the fetlock. Within hours it starts to slip. Its a difficult call how tight to wrap to stop the slipping but not to restrict circulation.
Any ideas on better materials, or whether there are any boots out there that might help, or be able to stand up to the pull of the bungees?
Thanks!
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 2:08 pm:
Elizabeth, can't help ya.. but please post pictures of this 'splint' ..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
carocbr
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 10:30 pm:
Here's the with support...
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Member:
carocbr
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 10:36 pm:
Here he is without...
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 - 11:22 pm:
Thanks .. he is a cute one for sure.. I would think you would need something stronger, more like a splint or cast to support him.. I have no experiance in something like this, all tho, just saw a foal at the vet clinic with two hind splints on.. they were not letting him get up, I think the foal had surgery done , so they were pan feeding him down and rolling him over often.. But this was only one visit that I saw and have no idea where they went with his treatment afterwards..
wishing you luck
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 - 8:08 am:
The problem with a cast or hard splints Ann is that they will not allow the stress that is needed for the muscle-tendon units to tighten up.
Elizabeth, the bungee idea is really creative and it sounds like what you need is a bit firmer bandage material that will help maintain shape and actually adhere to the bungee to keep it incorporated into the bandage without slipping. Elastikon, though expensive, will help maintain the bandage shape and you may even find that the Elastikon alone will provide adequate support without the bungee.
DrO
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Member:
carocbr
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Posted on Friday, Jun 22, 2007 - 1:57 pm:
Thanks, I've now tried Elastikon and it certainly helps. The whole deal must be uncomfortable for the little guy as he really doesn't want to walk about too much. However, that might also be a blessing for a while as the more he rests those tendons, the sooner they should tighten up - I hope.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jun 22, 2007 - 10:12 pm:
Poor little guy, I know it looks like a tough go at this point but most of these do come along with time and patience. It is not rest that will strengthen those tendons it is exercise. Unfortunately exercise on the stressed joints may be problematic. It is a careful balancing act that usually plays out best when you provide just enough support to protect the back of the pastern but allow them to self exercise in the pasture. Occasionally you see a mare that wants to move around so much they seem tired, in which case a bit more confinement might be good. Let me know how it all works out.
DrO
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Member:
stevens
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 - 3:06 pm:
Elizabeth,
Here's the best place I've found to purchase elastikon. Pricey stuff isn't it?
https://www.qualitymedicalsupplies.com/
Good luck to you and your little guy.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 3, 2007 - 9:57 pm:
Elizabeth , how is your foal doing..? I found this site to be very interesting..
www.dynasplint.com
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
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