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Post by numerologist on Nov 9, 2008 7:52:50 GMT -5
I bought an OTTB last year. He has been basically sound but when I had him examined and x-rayed, we found an old/cold sesamoid fracture. It is on the inside front, on the apex of the bone. My vet said to turn him out for the winter, and we will x-ray him again in the spring. I would like to get him going in dressage. I've had 2 clinicians say "sell him!", and one tell me to be patient; he may work out.
I'm willing to give him another winter. My question is whether supplements would help. The vet said not to bother, but I feel I want to give him every advantage. He is a real sweetheart, and only five years old. Any thoughts/input/experience appreciated.
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Post by CC on Nov 9, 2008 10:10:03 GMT -5
That sounds like a proximal, apical fracture; the same kind my horse has. My horse is sound in his third year of foxhunting and jumping in the field up to about 2'6". Dressage-no problem!
My gelding's fracture is 7 yrs. old. He had 2 years off after he did it but did not come sound enough to race over timber again. So he was given to me to be my next foxhunter. He is a tiny bit short on that foot and has a bit less flexion as well as scar tissue making his inside ankle a bit larger. So he is prone to interfere. I always ride him in Woof boots.
We x-rayed him 5 yrs. ago when I first got him and the joint was clean, clean, clean. But, he has hock arthritis (he is 16) so he is on both monthly Legend IV and chondroprotec which will probably help with any arthritis should it start.
From what I have read, the apical fractures have a very good prognosis of returning to or almost to the horse's previous level of work.
Since my horse is older I don't know what I would do for a young horse-probably at least do MSM which has anti-inflammatory properties. There is also a supplement called Recovery??? that I have heard people use in tendon-related injuries. And since suspensory issues can go along with sesamoid fractures, that may be a good idea.
Good luck!
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Post by jenarby on Nov 10, 2008 21:02:10 GMT -5
It has been my experience that two years is what it takes to really heal properly and tohave a chance at becoming and staying sound. That doens't mean that in a year they won't look sound....but I've found that the two years seems to be the median for the four bad fractures I've seen. ONe returned to unlimited jumping, one to flatwork, one to occasional trail rides and one only sound enough to be a broodmare.
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Post by animaldoc on Nov 11, 2008 16:28:38 GMT -5
Any idea how old it is?
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