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  Discussion on Reconditioning guidelines after muscle injury
Author Message
Member:
Dawn

Posted on Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 - 11:27 pm:

Dear Dr. O:

I am seeking general advise concerning reconditioning my horse after a severe back muscle injury. I am not asking for a diagnosis since the horse seems to be on the right track, but here is a quick synopsis of what has happened to date (did I say quick?):

In late January, my thoroughbred, an ex-racehorse named Harley, somehow injured his back on the right side alongside the spinal column, approximately two or three inches in front of the beginning of the croup (do you call this the loin?). Since he enjoys nearly constant turnout, I do not know what happened, he suddenly was acutely sore; the affected muscle is about one inch below the spine and would violently spasm upward with any touch or pressure. My vet examined the horse and since I could not afford expensive diagnostic tests for a specific diagnosis, suggested rest. The horse was able to move as normal, maybe a little stiff for the first week, and could not hold a canter for some time after that. He was given four months off from work with pasture turnout and was sore to pressure for three of those four months; he has now recovered to the point that he is no longer sore at standard palpilation unless you press very hard. I had several massage sessions done before and during the time that I started him lightly under saddle again, this did wonders. I have focused mainly on encouraging Harley to carry himself straight and balanced, no tight circles or collected work, and have kept the riding sessions short and nonstressful. I believe that he is responding well, however he is not quite as supple on his right side - never really has been, so it is difficult to judge why.

So here, at last, is my question. Are there any general principles about reconditioning a back muscle injury, specifically how do I know how far to push the horse as I try to rebuild his back's integrity? He has had little back sensitivity (I examine him after every ride) however from time to time he may be slightly sensitive to palpilation, but nothing that I would consider alarming. I have also noticed slight sensitivity farther back on the topside of the croup ( a totally different area) but I do not feel that the soreness is significant - or is it? It is generally true that I should expect some issues of mild soreness at palpilation (the "no pain no gain" theory) as the back muscles go through their cycle of strengthening (tearing and rebuilding)? If he continues to improve, are there exercises that we can work on that are safe AND effective? I have been trying to get him to stretch his neck out and down under saddle, but he is a rather upright horse so this has always been a challenge without draw reins fastened at low level - any suggestions to get him to stretch his back safely and willingly? And are there any general timelines that I can use to help me push him just hard enough to get stronger and more supple but not hard enough to reinjure him? He will hopefully eventually continue with dressage and/or jumping if our reconditioning is successful.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 10:22 am:

Hello Dawn,
Because we do not know the nature of the muscle injury (bruise, tear, or primary spasm) there are no general principles specific to the back injury that apply. It sounds to me like you are doing well with your rehab program of going slow and checking often.

Any issue of increased sensitivity should be looked at as a early warning that you may be going to quick and further riding should be discontinued until this sensitivity is gone. Even if the tearing down to build (more true of bone than muscle) is correct, rest is needed for the rebuild. Gradually increasing the grade of the hill will get the horse to stretch his back as he has to work up and down the hill. 21 days is a good time frame for evaluation and before the next step increase in work. The important thing is that the next step is small.
DrO
Member:
Dawn

Posted on Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 - 11:15 am:

Dr. O:

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any other suggestions besides using hill work? I live 10 miles off the west central coast of Florida - the only hills we have here are at the county garbage dump! The only other suggestion from my vet was bute and cavaletti work, but I feel that is too big of a step to risk quite yet. Last week I started to trot Harley lightly over four well-spaced ground poles, which has resulted in a light reaction to moderate finger pressure in a different area (the large muscle area that runs above the hip into the hindquarter)instead of the original area. The "new" sensitivity is on both sides of the hindquarters, and after the first or second time I apply pressure, he stops reacting. He was not reactive in that area before. Accordingly, I do not know if he is experiencing the typical aches and pains that we all feel when we start to perform an exercise that we are not conditioned for or if it is a red flag to back off; I guess I will have to use trial & error, leaning towards caution. Overall, though, he is "rolling" through his back at the walk so I am not seeing any significant stiffness.

If you recommend cavaletti work, I will need to build them. How many should I produce and do you have anyone on staff to recommend specifications?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 - 11:08 am:

You are going to find finger pressure a very subjective evaluation. For pointers see the topic on palpation in the article Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Spine, Back & Pelvis » Lower Back Pain in Horses. I have updated it to give more direction on how to conduct and evaluate the exam. If the ground is sandy that may be plenty of extra work on the back.
DrO
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