16th Annual
involved and the severity of the problem. Based on the results of the ultrasound exam, the veterinarian will give the owner new exercise guidelines. Tendons and ligaments are very difficult and tricky to manage because there is a fine line between too little and too much exercise. There is a need for a certain amount of gradual increase in workload for the fibers to develop adequate strength and alignment. Even in the best possible case, tendon and ligament injuries never quite heal back to the same degree of strength and flexibility as before the injury. After two to three months of hand-walking, these patients are often given the OK to add daily walks under saddle. The under-saddle work is kept to straight lines and very broad turns rather than sharp corners and small circles. It is done on level, smooth footing. Some horses may require mild sedation, such as intra-muscular acepromazine, in order to remain calm for this under-saddle work. Once the under-saddle walking is up to 20-25 minutes a day, trotting under saddle might begin if the re-check ultrasound shows that the lesion is filling in adequately. Once the horse reaches 20-25 minutes of trotting, he is usually able to return gradually to more
regular work. Turnout for these horses is best decided upon with your veterinarian, especially if sedation is required. These horses should be started outside in a small paddock with an adjacent, calm equine companion. Monitor them closely. The best general advice if your horse is facing a period of lay-up and rehabilitation is to work out a program with your veterinarian for your horse’s specific problem and situation. All injuries are not the same and no two patients heal the same. For that reason, each patient should be monitored closely by both the owner and the veterinarian. Always be ready to adjust the rehabilitation regimen depending upon the progress of your particular patient. This will minimize the risk of re-injury and ensure the best possible healing. The most common failure of rehabilitation is pushing the horse too quickly or turning him out in the pasture too soon. Remember—slow and steady wins the race, and one big buck could blow it all apart. Sue Perry is a Certified Veterinary Technician and equine massage therapist. She lives in Upton, Mass., with three event horses and runs “Muscle Magic,” an equine massage service.
Equine Expo Paraphernalia Sale Hosted by Essex County Trail Association
Saturday May 7, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
HELD IN INDOOR ARENA AT
Topsfield Fairgrounds Topsfield, Mass. Large indoor marketplace full of new & used horse & rider items–services Admission $5
Demonstrations All Day Vendor Space Available
For more info call:
978-768-6275 or kljoreo@aol.com 978-468-7715
Peak Performance is Just a Touch Away Massage Therapy for Performance Horses Susan C. Perry, BA, CVT, ESMT
Why Massage
■ Relieve Muscle Tension and Spasms ■ Improve Suppleness and Freedom of Movement ■ Reduce Risk of Injury ■ Provide Physical and Mental Relaxation ■ All of this improves the performance of horses in any discipline.
Why Muscle Magic ■ Honors Graduate of the EquiTouch™ equine massage therapy training program ■ Certified Veterinary Technician with 18 years of experience in large animal radiology ■ My patients have included Icelandic trail horses, Thoroughbred event horses, and everything in between. MUSCLE MAGIC
3 Bradish Farm Rd., Upton, MA 01568
508-529-7739 home email: sue.perry@charter.net
MARCH 2011
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