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Discussion on Damage to Lateral Cartilage of Hoof
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New Member:
muagc76
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 3:02 pm:
I am a Mounted Patrol Deputy in Georgia.
Approximately 6 weeks ago our 4 yo Belgian/TBred was diagnosed with a tear of his right front lateral cartilage of the hoof.
The horse has been on stall rest with limited turn out for the past six weeks, gradually increasing his turn out time.
My question is how to proceed with rehabilitation?
As far as previous work the horse is still very new to mounted patrol work and is currently in training or was at the time of his injury. He seems to be sound now when seen trotting out in the pasture.
It is my understanding that the lateral cartilage will ossify into a side bone.
My plan is to get him back under saddle and start working him slow, since I can't lunge him or work him in circles due to the injury.
Any thoughts and guidance will be greatly appreciated so I can get this guy back to work safeley.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 7:47 pm:
Welcome AGC,
Can you tell us more about the nature of this tear? The cartilage itself is thick and rather difficult to tear. I have seen the cartilage cut but not torn. Is this a deep laceration by something sharp or perhaps a tear of a attaching ligament?
We have information on collateral ligament anatomy and sidebone at HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Sidebone and the Collateral Cartilages.
DrO
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New Member:
muagc76
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2010 - 8:48 am:
DrO,
As for the injury, there was never any external damage to the hoof that was noticeable. The tear was diagnosed by x-ray which showed some inconsistencies in the lateral cartilage.
The horse was lame at the trot (1/5), given several days of stall rest with no improvement, but did show improvement with bute. When the lameness became worse (2/5) he was taken to the vet for diagnosis.
He is normally in a pasture with two other mounted patrol geldings, both Belgian/TBred Crosses, 6 and 5 yo.
The ferrier rolled the toe of the shoe to allow him to break over where ever he needed to be comfortable. The ferrier also applied side clips at the quarters to help immobilize the hoof during this recovery period.
I still need to speak to our vet about having he x-rayed again to make sure the cartilage has been repaired.
Is it possible to damage the cartilage? As I saw the inconsistencies on the x-ray.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2010 - 2:37 pm:
AGC almost anything is possible, but tearing a lateral cartilage would be an unusual injury. I have not seen the radiographs so I can only guess. I would wonder if this inconsistencies might not be areas of differential calcification and the beginning of sidebone or possibly some artifact of the radiograph.
DrO
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