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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Suspensory Desmitis, Strain, & Sprain »
  Discussion on Preventing suspensory injuries
Author Message
New Member:
Justjack

Posted on Saturday, Oct 22, 2005 - 3:35 pm:

Is there something to do in order to help prevent suspensory injuries?

Also..
is deep sand bad for that injury..
A friend of mine said it was good for that
I beg to differ!!!!!
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Member:
Rubysmom

Posted on Sunday, Oct 23, 2005 - 2:40 pm:

Deep sand is BAD! BAD, BAD, BAD!!!!
General "rule of thumb" rehab should take place on firm footing for soft tissue injuries, and beware forevermore of overworking or riding hard on deep or sandy footing.
New Member:
Justjack

Posted on Sunday, Oct 23, 2005 - 2:57 pm:

Its been a long time since my horse has had a suspensary injury....

Yes..we did not go into sand of any kind
when we were working on recovery

my friend was telling me it was good
to ride in it now because it helps with
streching as the legs came out of the sand
some retarded thing like that.......
I didnt quite get what she was trying
to say..DID NOT DO IT THOUGH!!!!!
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
catherine
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Sunday, Oct 23, 2005 - 4:37 pm:

Deep sand is so shifting and unpredictable. It might be alright to cushion from a hard fall but to ride a horse healing from an injury.....NO, NO and NO. Even at the best of times, the deep sand might cause more injuries than prevent them. I agree with Angela...stay away from it at all costs.

Hope this helps.

Susan B.
New Member:
Justjack

Posted on Sunday, Oct 23, 2005 - 5:49 pm:

I dont go in any sand at all with him...

I dont know were my friend got that idea
anyway.......
THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!!!!
Does anyone know how to prevent
suspensory problems??
I do endurance and some people just think im
doing to much.....
All these endurance people work thier horses
so hard ... I baby my horse and I still have problems........
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cat
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Sunday, Oct 23, 2005 - 8:04 pm:

Babying always seems to cause me more trouble than it prevents problems. I've had a suspensory injury from working a horse beyond his level of fitness in deep sand, but once he truly healed up, the sand was great for conditioning and building strength. We ride frequently at all speeds in deep sand, but I know he is in excellent condition so it will not harm him.
New Member:
Justjack

Posted on Sunday, Oct 23, 2005 - 9:47 pm:

If I was interested in working in sand
I would walk through it first for a long
time and then work up to more then that..
but I just dont want to do that right now
He is only 6 and Im going to go slow
with him....
He is doing fine right now....
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 24, 2005 - 6:56 am:

Proper trimming and shoeing, slow changes in work load, and avoiding rough irregular footing would all be at the center of trying to prevent suspensory injuries. I see them more in jumpers than any other local endeavor though lots of race horse come to us with old suspensory injuries.
DrO
New Member:
Justjack

Posted on Monday, Oct 24, 2005 - 3:23 pm:

THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DrO

Catherine
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Monday, Oct 24, 2005 - 8:59 pm:

Catherine -- what you say for conditioning is so right. Had I been smart enough to follow what you said, I would not have had an injury, which prevented me from taking my horse on an organized, week long ride I wanted to make. It is extremely fortunate for me that my horse's injury was mild, though there are still reminders of his old injury whenever he is due for a trim. Glad your horse is doing well.
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Monday, Oct 24, 2005 - 10:29 pm:

Hello Catherine,
Go back and read what Dr.O said. When you do, could you tell us if your horse is wearing shoes?

If so, why?
Member:
Justjack

Posted on Monday, Oct 24, 2005 - 11:11 pm:

Yes he is wearing shoes.....
I have a good shoe guy who knows what to
use for him with his suspensary problem..
(which hasnt been in a long time)
I live in a kind of rocky area....
most of the footing is good but some is
rocky....so i just want to protect his
feet as much as possible!!!!
also I do endurance...
Why do you ask??????

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
catherine
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2005 - 10:25 am:

The reason I asked about shoes is because maybe your horse was barefoot.

Shoes not only help protect your horses feet in the rocky footing, but they can also provide a level of support to the legs if applied correctly.

My horse needs them for supportive issues rather than foot protection.

Keep working with your farrier, he sounds like a good one, and don't be afraid to get the vet involved in the shoeing process.

Keep up the good work .

Susan B.
Member:
Justjack

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 26, 2005 - 4:36 pm:

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Member:
Angel77

Posted on Thursday, Oct 27, 2005 - 3:17 am:

What I have learned over the years about prevention of suspensory injuries would be from farriers, vets, and fabulous trainers.

#1 Shoe every 5-6 weeks depending on your horses hoof growth. If you are in a rocky area pads such as leather, eurothenye, or some kind of protective padding on the front feet will help immensely. Pick feet before and after riding. If not riding pick feet daily. Great hoof care is more important than most people realize.

#2 Do not over work the horse. I do not mean you specifically. I have seen so called trainers over work their horses and then wonder why their horse is lame or has a suspensory problem.

#3 Always ride on great footing. Deep sand is murder on and equine legs.

#4 Great dry, dust free bedding, lots of bedding to cushion and allow the horse to relax after a ride.

#5 Great feeding program. Each horse has different needs.

#6 Hope for the best!

Good luck!

WTG
Member:
Justjack

Posted on Friday, Oct 28, 2005 - 3:44 pm:

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do endurance riding....
What would you consider over working???
I have arabs and they are the best kind of
horse for that.........
They do ALOT of miles.....
Any thoughts on this..............
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!
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