RE: National 50 - she's lame!

["Steph Teeter" <step@fsr.com>]

Anna, if your mare has indeed strained her suspensory,
the standard rehabilitation is:
30 days stall rest (this is very important! One wild gallop
in the pasture can tear the fibers again)
30 days hand walking
30 days ponying - walk, trot
then slowly return to work under saddle. 

The best thing you can do is get a definitive diagnosis 
(ultra sound is good) so you know exactly what you're dealing 
with. If you can catch an injury early, and take the time to heal
it correctly, chances are the horse can resume a competitive
career. If you don't give it time to heal properly, it
will probably come back to plague you again and again - 
ok for one ride, off the next, sound in a couple weeks,
ok for another ride or two, off the next, etc, until you have
a chronic condition. 

Sorry to sound so preachy, but I've been there myself,
and seen other good horses need early retirement from
endurance - when the proper rest and rehab could have
prolonged their career. 

Good luck!

Steph

(p.s. I expected to hear NC results from Randy, ... nothing
yet).

-----Original Message-----
From: Anna Wolfe [mailto:awolfe@etsc.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 5:45 PM
To: ridecamp
Subject: RC: National 50 - she's lame!


Dear Fellow Ridecampers,

Went out to give my mare a bath before we head to Timberon tomorrow, and 
on a whim I put her in the round pen.  Much to my surprise, she was 
lame.  I couldn't feel anything, so I hauled her to the vet, and he 
thinks her front right suspensory ligament is just slightly pulled.  No 
swelling, or anything, but definitely lame.  So we can't come, and so 
I'm disappointed - not sure she is, though - she loves it in the field!

In case anyone is reading this who is in touch with the people at 
Timberon, can you please let them know I'm not coming - just so they 
know?  While I emailed Randy, I don't think he is picking them up while 
there.  I don't know how else to get in touch with them.  Also does 
anyone know anything about this type of injury?  Vet thought she would 
be fine in a week, but I want to know more about it.  Also, does anyone 
have news on the 100 yet?  I'll be thinking about everyone there and 
wishing I was there.

Anna and Well Seen


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=