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  Discussion on Suspensory lamness
Author Message
Member:
Kitch

Posted on Monday, Aug 8, 2005 - 3:31 pm:

I am looking for opinions about a horse with front suspensory lameness. I am currently looking at adopting (with a fee) a 7 year old TB mare off the track for a brood mare, this mare has front suspensory injuries and calcification in the ankles, as stated on the advertisement (I do not know any more about the injuries). I was told by someone that it is a weakness in the horse and can be passed down to the foals, my argument was that she was probably just rode too hard too young, they argue that many others are treated the same and stay sound. I would like to hear your opinion on this before I go any further with the adoption of this mare.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 9, 2005 - 6:26 am:

Whether there is a congenital weakness predisposing to this problem should be judged by looking at the horse's conformation. However pregnancy can be hard on the legs of a mare I would be cautious purchasing a lame mare, particularly if there is a progressive problem like osteoarthritis of the ankles, as a brood mare.
DrO
Member:
Mare1

Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 2:56 pm:

Dr. O:
What movements in dressage puts extra strain on the origin of the suspensory ligament? Also, in a jumping horse, what part of jumping can cause problems with the deep flexor tendon?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 10:04 pm:

Both of these structures are loaded together suzy, watch for times when the fetlock is loaded. During these times the angle of the fetlock and to a lesser degree the coffin joint become more extended increasing the forces on these two structures.
DrO
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Friday, Jun 9, 2006 - 8:29 am:

Janine,
Is there any possibility that this mare has DSLD? If so, it may be passed on to a foal. The research is not completed yet but it looks heriditary. I only mention DSLD because of your statement about calcification.

Ann
Member:
Mare1

Posted on Friday, Jun 9, 2006 - 10:06 am:

Thanks, Dr. O. So for dressage, the fetlock would be loaded more at say, passage, movements such as that would put stress on the origin of the suspensory. Half pass and other lateral movements wouldn't stress the origin of the suspensory as much?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 - 7:26 am:

When you use phrases like "lateral movements wouldn't stress that much" suggest incomplete understanding of what I am saying. Each of these gaits and movements have phases where there is loading of these supporting structures and times of unloading. How much they are loaded will depend on many factors: for instance how animated the horse is and how well balanced the horse is will effect loading. A half hearted passage might not stress as much as a very animated aggressive half pass. A trip will unexpectedly load the structure during any movement. Certainly some movements will in general increase the load more than other but they all represent stress of these structures and the amount of stress will vary depending on many variables.
DrO
New Member:
Pegvan

Posted on Monday, Oct 23, 2006 - 1:31 pm:

7 yr old tb gelding was diagnosed with strained deep flex tendon fetlock hind leg. Was given naxpron for three days rest 10 days and light turnout for three weeks then ridden trot only no tight circles. Bar shoes for support until next shoeing. when diagnosed no obvious swelling, sound at trot, canter was the problem would be fine then would try to stop and have a shortening of hind leg stride. Little heat in that area. Question: Did anyone have this type of lameness and what was the prognosis?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 24, 2006 - 6:41 am:

Welcome marguerite,
For more on evaluating and treating flexor tendintis see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Flexor Tendinitis.
DrO
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