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  Discussion on Rehab of lesion in common digital extensor area
Author Message
Member:
zbgirl

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2013 - 12:37 pm:

In July my gelding was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury in his RF forearm after the various blocks did not improve soundness. My vet ultrasounded and found a soft tissue lesion between the two extensor muscles, about a 1/2 inch in length. We have been on a walk program since July. Only recently we went to a trot program building up to 5 minutes each way straight lines only. Last week my vet came out with his lameness detector machine (electrodes on poll, croup and RF). We duplicated the tests we had done initially in July. There was significant improvement in soundness, in fact he is VISUALLY sound. But the machine is indicating greater weight bearing on the left front, on both straight line trotting, and more telling, while circling to the right in trot. The July findings were of greater weight bearing imbalances, so this recent test does show improvement. I am hoping to re-do the test again in another 3-4 months after more rehab. My question is, when rehabbing, how many days per week are appropriate for trot work (increasing the volume)? We are about to begin adding to our five minutes of trot each way. Does adding 2.5 minutes a week make sense? Should we stay at X minutes for another week before adding again? Thanks in advance!
Member:
dres

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2013 - 1:01 pm:

every rehab is different ... i rehabbed my mare for 2 years ... 7 months of complete stall rest started it out ... then the hand walking ... which i slowly built up to 60 a day , then the inhand trot work , so she had to be put on a exercise mill ... walk for 10 mins, trot for 3 , walk for 10 , off the mill .. till she was built up to trot for 30 mins .. we added 5 mins of trot a week on the mill ... THEN under saddle work ... walk for 10 trot for 3 walk for 30 ... we slowly added 3 mins a week to the trot work till we were up to 30 mins of trot .... now under saddle we added the trot work with walk rest , trot , walk rest .. THEN we added canter ... again 10 mins walk , 10 mins trot , 10 mins walk .. slowly adding the canter work in only on the long side , no corners .. ..
long story short ... she and i are sound and happy and she is schooling 2nd and 3rd level dressage!

**btw this is to the best of my remembering , we have two threads regarding this mare on here
HaPPy ReHaBBing ..

On the first day God created horse, on the second day he painted them with spots ..
Member:
zbgirl

Posted on Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 - 11:27 am:

So you rode everyday and did your rehab everyday?
Or, 3 to 4 times a week. I'm just thinking to not overdo it and trail ride in between.
Member:
dres

Posted on Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 - 11:33 am:

6 days a week NO trail riding ... firm arena sand no ups and downs at all .. . but with my mare it was extensive damage ..
https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/99611.html
and
https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/4/256847.html

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots ..
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 - 5:48 pm:

Hello ZBGirl,
Ann is right rehabs are done individually and depending on diagnosis and response to the rehabilitation. We are at a particular disadvantage since there is not a clear diagnosis. What is the nature of the lesion your vet ultrasounded? I believe your veterinarian is best able to advise you at this time.
DrO
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