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Discussion on DSLD and sports medicine boots
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Member:
brandi
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 12:44 am:
Has anyone heard of or tried sports medicine boots to help support a DSLD horse?
I have a 23 yo AQHA gelding who has had all the symptoms and characteristics of hind-limb DSLD since about 2003. At that time we put him in egg-bar shoes with wedge pads (behind), which provided him with immediate improvement in the elevation of his fetlocks and reduced his lameness. Any attempts over the years to remove the shoes have made him quite sore.
He also has hock problems and has had problems holding his hind feet up for the farrier - trembling all the muscles on his weightbearing leg. Over the years I've been told by many people that the professional's choice sports medicine boots should really help him, and I purchased him a new pair about 2 years ago but found limited improvement. Recently Moon was examined (for other reasons) by a very reputable equine ortho surgeon who suggested the boots once again when he saw the trembling. I put them back on him, but he is extremely uncomfortable while I apply the hind ones, refusing to bear weight while I secure it, and he continues to goose-step for the first several minutes of wearing them (this is way more than an unusual feeling - this horse has worn many wraps on his hind legs over the years and never reacts this strongly). After 20 minutes or so of walking, he seems perfectly comfortable, though I don't notice a huge difference in his stride, as of yet. My main goal was to see if they would help him while getting shod (Banamine is providing little pain relief at this point).
I read the DSLD article and it might make sense that the pressure of the boots is painful (article said palpation usually showed pain). Is it possible that I am causing him harm? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 8:34 am:
I think if properly applied they are probably not uncomfortable and may indeed provide a small amount of support. However your evaluation of how comfortable they make your horse should take precedence over this general statement.
DrO
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