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Sesamoiditis

7K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  NorthernMama 
#1 ·
I purchased an 8 year old TB gelding just over a week ago. My first time riding him was a couple of days after I bought him and my instructor noticed that he seemed a bit stiff. I immediately stopped riding him and called the vet the next day. My vet was able to come and take a look at him the following Monday. After quite a bit of investigation and x-rays, it appears as if my gelding has sesamoiditis. The person that I purchased him from won't take him back even at a reduced price. Is there any cures for sesamoiditis? Is there anything that I can do? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
I found this on a website, hope it helps.

In cases of simple bruising of the sesamoids or when strain of the sesamoid ligaments is suspected, twice daily applications of mild topical anti-infammatory lotions for 7-10 days may help reduce the inflammation and provide relief of pain and lameness, allowing return to full training. Applying a cooling bandage or cold pack overwrapped with Vetrap tape after exercise, or cold hosing for 10 minutes, may help reduce inflammation of low grade ligament tears. Consult your vet for advice.

In the early stages of sesamoiditis, control of inflammation and re-establishment of normal blood flow is important to prevent internal changes to the bone. The horse should be rested as much as possible and specialised therapy commenced. Pin-firing and blistering are no longer recommended.

When demineralisation and channeling of the bone is present, clinical studies in early cases indicate that treatment with Isoxsuprine provides long term relief of the pain and inflammation. A 3-4 week course is recommended, and in many cases horses are able to resume light work in 7-10 days, and full work in 3-4 weeks. Where fractures are present your vet will advise the best course of treatment and management.

Supplementation with calcium will provide the building blocks for bone mineralisation, particularly if horses are on high grain (low calcium) diets.
 
#3 ·
The best advice would be to turn him out and give him some time off, unless your vet had a different recommendation. TBs will often make a turn around with a few months off.

Depending on what you plan to use your horse for, it may or may not be sound long term. Is there some way you can find out the horse's history? Did it have a previous injury? Some TBs off the track actually have fractured sesamoids. It sounds like person you bough him from knew he had problems (may be why he/she sold him). I hope you didn't pay a huge amount for the horse and that you have some time to spare and can rest him.

If it makes ou feel any better, I got a TB gelding 3 months ago that was "stiff". I've only ridden him a handful of times. He wound up going completely lame and we still aren't sure what is wrong with him. I'm willing to give him time off as long as he isn't suffering. It is a tough thing to do and can get expensive!

Good luck to you!
 
#4 ·
Sorry I missed this when you first posted.

I had a otstdbd with sesamoiditis and arthritis. He was really lame. I gave him glucosamine with chondroitin and he perked right up after a while. I can't remember exactly how long it took. I started seeing a change within 2 weeks, but it may have been 4 - 6 before he wasn't really sore anymore. Now, I know the gluc and chon. helped with the arthritis. I don't know for sure if it helped the sesamoiditis, but you can buy a months supply for about $15 - $20 at a health food store so it's worth a try. It's important to have the chondroitin. I think if you encourage the supporting tissue to be strong you can work with him. Depending on the severity, of course, you may have some limitations. Only time will tell. I wouldn't ride him if he's sore, but give him free turnout. Don't stall him -- fluid will build up and it will be worse.

He may come around and be fine for your purposes depending what you want to accomplish and he ability to recover. But, at the very least you may be able to have him fit enough to go to a home as just a backyard riding horse and get some of your $ back while giving him a good future.
 
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