What You Need to Know About Suspensory Ligament Injuries in Horses
Suspensory ligament injuries in horses are more common than ever. We’ve got the information you need about suspensory ligament injuries in horses right here.
Understanding the Risk of Injury
The suspensory ligament is a band of strong connective tissue that runs from the back of a horse’s fetlock joint to its cannon bone. It supports the tendons and other structures that help the horse move. Unfortunately, this ligament can become injured due to excessive strain or wear and tear, resulting in pain and lameness. Knowing how to recognise when an injury has occurred, as well as preventing them from happening, is important to keep horses healthy and active.
Signs & Symptoms of Injury
When a suspensory ligament injury occurs, there will be some visible signs and symptoms such as:
- Swelling in the area of the leg where the suspensory ligament attaches
- Lameness in one or both legs
- Heat at the site of injury
- Difficulty walking or putting weight on the affected limb
- Pain when flexing or extending the affected limb
- Abnormal stance (e.g., standing with toes turned inward) or gait changes.
Diagnosis & Treatment Options
If you suspect your horse has suffered from a suspensory ligament injury, you should have it examined by a veterinarian immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment options. The vet will typically conduct physical exams and imaging tests such as x-rays and ultrasounds to diagnose an injury more accurately. Common treatments for suspensory injuries may include rest, anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections, cold therapy (i.e., icing), massage therapy, stem cell therapy, shockwave therapy, acupuncture or surgery, depending on the severity of an injury. Surgery may be required if there is significant damage to surrounding tissue or if conservative treatments are not providing relief.
Preventative Measures to Reduce Risk of Injury
There are ways to reduce your horse’s risk of suffering from a suspensory ligament injury:
- Gradually increase workloads – avoid sudden increases in activity levels that place excessive stress on tendons and ligaments
- Pay close attention during exercise – look for any signs that your horse may be overworked or fatigued before pushing it too hard
- Conditioning – maintain a consistent conditioning program with stretching exercises designed specifically for horses
- Proper hoof care – ensure your horse’s feet are balanced properly with regular trimmings; poor hoof balance can place excessive strain on muscles and tendons throughout its body
- Quality feed – provide high-quality nutrition rich with vitamins and minerals; adequate nutrition helps muscles recover faster after exercise
- Adequate turnout time – allow your horse plenty of turnout time so it can move freely without restrictions; this will enable muscles to loosen up naturally before strenuous activities
Wrap Up
Suspensory ligaments are essential components in helping horses move around without pain or lameness, but they can become injured due to overuse, stress or wear and tear. Recognising these injuries early on is key for proper treatment, so if you suspect one has occurred, contact your veterinarian immediately for further evaluation. By following proper preventative measures like gradually increasing workloads while also paying special attention during exercise times, you can help protect your equine friend from unnecessary harm.
If you want to keep your horse safe and healthy, remember to insure your horses with furrr.co.uk! Furrr offers a variety of plans that provide peace of mind knowing that any suspensory ligament injuries will be taken care of if they occur. With Round Clock support and access to our Vet Helpline, you can rest assured that your horse is in great hands.