Bradshaw Piggies
Forum Donator 2023/24
The vet returned today for Woody’s rescan
He’s not as lame as he was, that has improved. He’s only 1/10 lame now and there has been some improvement in the swelling of the flexor tendon/annular ligament on the ultrasound scan, but not as much as the vet would have liked.
The vet is pushing for surgery (annular ligament desmotomy). The vet wants to cut the annular ligament as to relieve pressure on the flexor tendon swelling to aid recovery.
My other option is to strictly rehab him over the next couple of months (box rest and controlled walking) and see if more improvement is made.
So much to think about. I do want him to return to work, he’s the type that thrives in work. And ultimately the goal would be to get him competing again.
Either way there’s a long rehab process. Even if surgery is the option, he would need box rest for weeks and controlled walking as he recovers.
Some people have had huge success with this surgery, and others have not. As with everything really, no guarantee. We are looking at a few £1000 too.
I’m really not keen on the idea of surgery (general anaesthetic) for him. It’s a lot to put him through. If it was guaranteed I would do it, but there’s a lot to weigh up. Then increased chance of infection etc
I don’t know if maybe the best thing to do is to try the rest for another couple of months and if he doesn’t improve again, try the surgery then?
Keeping him rested this long isn’t ideal. He hasn’t had turnout since September and obviously box rest comes with it’s issues (muscle wastage, colic risk, psychological impact etc). However he does seem to have coped very well with it!
Obviously the walking might get a bit dangerous for us both too. As he's locked up most of the time, so controlled walking won’t be his idea of an energy release. But we’ve managed this far.
I know there’s very limited evidence at present, but I do put his magnetic boots on when he’s stabled. I swear his legs fill up less with them on. No harm in trying! I also have him on the best recommended joint supplement and he gets his regular physiotherapy. Plus the corrective shoeing is now up to £160 every 5 weeks, but the vet is super impressed with his feet, so that’s reassuring that my farrier is doing an amazing job.
I do worry about his soundness and ability to cope with his job down the line. Perhaps surgery would stand him a better chance? But there’s always the risk another problem could happen?
Ahhh so much to think about
We have a saying in this game….. that must be said with an eye roll… “HORSES…….”.
)
Love my boy so much. I want the best for him, and for both of us!
He was still sedated at this point
all because the vet and I tried to wrestle him for 20 mins just to clip the hair off the back of one leg for his scan. But no, our wrestling attempt failed and he ended up sedated again!
Waking up and wanting feeding here (had his hay removed until he was back with us again… to avoid choking)
So this evening I’m drowning my sorrows and watching the London International Freestyle tests on iplayer. Enjoying it, but at the same time it’s making me miss my sport even more!
Though these two enjoyed a full day at the yard today!
He’s not as lame as he was, that has improved. He’s only 1/10 lame now and there has been some improvement in the swelling of the flexor tendon/annular ligament on the ultrasound scan, but not as much as the vet would have liked.
The vet is pushing for surgery (annular ligament desmotomy). The vet wants to cut the annular ligament as to relieve pressure on the flexor tendon swelling to aid recovery.
My other option is to strictly rehab him over the next couple of months (box rest and controlled walking) and see if more improvement is made.
So much to think about. I do want him to return to work, he’s the type that thrives in work. And ultimately the goal would be to get him competing again.
Either way there’s a long rehab process. Even if surgery is the option, he would need box rest for weeks and controlled walking as he recovers.
Some people have had huge success with this surgery, and others have not. As with everything really, no guarantee. We are looking at a few £1000 too.
I’m really not keen on the idea of surgery (general anaesthetic) for him. It’s a lot to put him through. If it was guaranteed I would do it, but there’s a lot to weigh up. Then increased chance of infection etc
I don’t know if maybe the best thing to do is to try the rest for another couple of months and if he doesn’t improve again, try the surgery then?
Keeping him rested this long isn’t ideal. He hasn’t had turnout since September and obviously box rest comes with it’s issues (muscle wastage, colic risk, psychological impact etc). However he does seem to have coped very well with it!
Obviously the walking might get a bit dangerous for us both too. As he's locked up most of the time, so controlled walking won’t be his idea of an energy release. But we’ve managed this far.
I know there’s very limited evidence at present, but I do put his magnetic boots on when he’s stabled. I swear his legs fill up less with them on. No harm in trying! I also have him on the best recommended joint supplement and he gets his regular physiotherapy. Plus the corrective shoeing is now up to £160 every 5 weeks, but the vet is super impressed with his feet, so that’s reassuring that my farrier is doing an amazing job.
I do worry about his soundness and ability to cope with his job down the line. Perhaps surgery would stand him a better chance? But there’s always the risk another problem could happen?
Ahhh so much to think about
We have a saying in this game….. that must be said with an eye roll… “HORSES…….”.
) Love my boy so much. I want the best for him, and for both of us!
He was still sedated at this point
all because the vet and I tried to wrestle him for 20 mins just to clip the hair off the back of one leg for his scan. But no, our wrestling attempt failed and he ended up sedated again! Waking up and wanting feeding here (had his hay removed until he was back with us again… to avoid choking)
So this evening I’m drowning my sorrows and watching the London International Freestyle tests on iplayer. Enjoying it, but at the same time it’s making me miss my sport even more!
Though these two enjoyed a full day at the yard today!
your love for him is amazing. You have a lot to think about which is hard knowing what to do but whatever decision you make for him will be the right one x