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Dr. Lowder:

Two months ago my barrel horse was turned loose (with sports medicine run down boots on) in the arena. Next day I noticed swelling along the back of the right leg, ice packs and dmso/dexamethazone sp? sweat relieved the swelling. Loaded up went to vet, ultrasound: 10 centameter tear just above the branch of the suspence ligament. We have been doing brace bandage, complete stall rest, grass hay, on and off bute.

Next untra sound showed some healing. My question to you is: will this horse ever be sound? With the little info I have given you I hope you can answer my question, my vet seams wishie washie. I do not want to put 9-12 month rest on this horse only to find out he cannot be raced on again. Any advice?



Thank you for your time
Joan Davis

Joan,

Sorry but you are going to have to put in a year of rest to determine his future. Remember after the year you will have to bring him back into training very, very slowly or you will have the same problem again.

Thanks, Dr. Lowder