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Discussion on Severed Digital Extensor Tendon
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New Member:
biscay
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 9:10 am:
Hi.
I have just purchased a broodmare ( only 4 years old) that had previously severed her Digital Extensor Tendon ( from what I have been told ). When the original wound was done, she apparantley was minimal lame, and the toe came up for the first few days, but then never knuckled over. Now, the wound has totally healed, she has had a foal, and is now due to have her second foal. I have had a vet look at her in the paddock and say to me that as far as he can see, I could have the ligaments/tendons cut that are making that leg go like stringhalt. It snaps straight up and hits her in the belly with every stride. When she trots she almost sort of skips over that leg.. same with canter. She seems totally happy etc etc. Anyhow, the vet has said that no reason why she can not be ridden again etc. Could this be true?? And what kind of riding. Although, to be honest, I want what is best for the mare, and even if the operation results in her walking better and being more comfortable in the paddock but not rideable I am still willing to do it. The foal is due october, and we are looking at doing operation when foal is weaned, so I want to know as much as I can before I decide to go ahead with it.
The first picture is the original wound.
##WARNING## graphic picture for those that are squeemish.
She walk around and trots and canters... just when it is time for that leg she kind of almost skips on it, and then the whole leg comes right up and forward and hits her on the stomach. She rests on it, but does seem to take her a little time to get balanced on it, then puts weight on it. she backs up and turns no problems... Is this something that coudl be rideable again? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jun 29, 2007 - 10:05 am:
Welcome Donna,
Let's start with the article on Stringhalt and you will find it at, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Stringhalt.
The skip is worrysome, as it suggests a problem at the end of the anterior phase or during weight bearing that is not typical of stringhalt. Can the horse walk normally? Without an exam I cannot tell what is going on here: what does your vet say about the skip?
DrO
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New Member:
biscay
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 30, 2007 - 1:48 am:
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your reply.
The vet watched her walk and just said, look with stringhalt operation she will be rideable hopefully. I again said.. yes but... the tendons etc etc... to which he was not worried at all. He only watched her walk a few strides though.
When she trots she does put that foot down.. just kind of skips every now and then. She stands square on all fours. She rests the other foot ( as in the good back leg), so I guess she is weight bearing solidly on that damaged leg. She backs up and turns etc... but yes, the skipping I have seen her do sort of worries me. But obviously, once foal is weaned ( due october ) I will make the vets look her over completely before I go any further, but, as with anything I do, I do my own research first, so I know exactly what questions to ask. The vet is a good vet. He certainly wasnt too concerned about the digital extensor tendons... but I will always err on the side of caution. If I do this, its to make the mares life easier, not harder.
She canters in paddock fine. Every now and then she kind of stumbles... hard to explain, almost like she hadnt quite got her foot right before weight bearing - but then I wonder is that due to that? or purely the stringhalt action and she finds it harder to place that leg.... boy I wish horses could talk.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 30, 2007 - 6:42 am:
I think one of the keys I would use in trying to decide this issue is whether there are any normal steps, other than the stringhalt motion, or are these other abnormalities persistent. Intermittent suggests control by the horse perhaps in an attempt to modify the effects of the stringhalt, persistent suggests mechanical difficulties or lameness of other origin. Sometimes well taken videos that can be slowed and reviewed makes clearer what is happening.
DrO
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New Member:
biscay
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Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 7:19 am:
Thanks Dr O...
We are having major storms at the moment, but , as soon as the weather behaves itself ( well actually it is, we desperatley need the rain ), and it warms up enough to take her rugs off, I going to try and get a short video off my digital camera and upload for you if that is okay.....
I have been closely watching her at walk, and she walks every stride with that bad foot on ground.. but ofcourse it then snaps straight up very quickly and slaps her in her stomach ( atleast foal shouldnt be scared of banging noises hehe ). At the trot, the stringhalt gait is not as noticeable, and she does weight bear.. but has also at times not fully put foot down - again, not sure if this is from lack of control from the stringhalt, or as you said, actually secondary stuff going on. But, hopefully with a short video perhaps we can have a closer look... And thanks again for your replies.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jul 2, 2007 - 9:05 am:
We have a limit to the size of uploads but if you will email it me Donna in a popular digital format (MPEG is good), I will link it to this discussion.
DrO
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