ridecamp@endurance.net: Check Ligaments

Check Ligaments

DreamWeaver (karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us)
Mon, 24 Mar 1997 20:14:33 -0800

I thought I would ask the group, since I have had so many people give me
completely different advice.

A week ago after a training ride, I noticed my horse has some slight
swelling in the upper part of his lower leg, (left fore) on the inside near
the cannon bone just below the knee. It was not tender, the horse was not
off, he did not mind at all being poked and squeezed and there was no heat
whatsoever. However, the swelling was unusual in that his legs are always
tight the day after a ride. So I figured I better have my vet check, since
a ride was coming up the following week. He seemed to know immediately that
it was some minor swelling of the check ligament. He said I probably
wouldn't hurt him by riding him, but that I should give him three weeks off.
The next morning the swelling was gone and again, the horse was sound thru
the entire thing. The swelling was minor and most people probably would not
have noticed it. (I still went to the ride <g>, just took my other horse -
thankgoodness for spare horses!)

Anyway, what I am interested in knowing is if anybody else out there has had
a similar type injury with their horse. What did you do?

I have been icing/watering the leg down twice a day. The horse is turned out
but I have not ridden him for two weeks now. I just don't want to do
something too soon and turn something minor into a problem. By the way,
when I did ride him, his HRM readings were perfectly normal, and all other
vitals in the normal range. I couldn't even make him sore or tender with
all the poking and squeezing I did, ;^) the swelling or whatever caused it
was obviously not bothering him in any way. Am I just being paranoid?

Also, the week prior to this happening, this horse was kicked on a training
ride in the left hind leg, upper part. It cut open about a 4" long vertical
wound in the leg. It was a hard kick. He was sound afterwards, but you can
still feel a good knot in that area. I don't know if that could have
anything to do with it, but thought I'd throw it in just in case. If it's
not one thing it's another <sigh>.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Happy Trails,

Karen
in Gardnerville
& Dream Weaver who is on vacation...but not really enjoying it
& Rocky who did the 25 at Honey Lake Saturday :)

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