Initial Assessment and History
In October 2023, Zerengetti, a dressage horse based in South Africa, was facing a challenging situation. The previous year, he had injured the lateral branch of his left front suspensory ligament. Since then, he had been rested without any specific treatments, resulting in intermittent lameness.
An in-depth examination was conducted:
- Walk and Trot: Zerengetti appeared fine at a walk but showed significant dishing and lateral landing at a trot.
- Lunging: Both left and right lunging on hard surfaces did not reveal any significant issues.
- Physical Observation: There was no obvious swelling over the suspensory branch at the time.
- Ultrasound: The ultrasound revealed that the lateral sesamoidal ligament was enlarged with fibrosis, indicating chronic degradation of the fiber structure.
Initial Treatment Plan
To address these issues, a rehabilitation protocol was established, focusing on the following:
- DSS Device: Fitting the Dynamic Support System (DSS) boot in mid-November to support the healing process.
- Rehabilitation Schedules: Tailored rehab schedules were provided by the our expert team.
- Fetlock-Pastern Angle: Work on improving the fetlock-pastern angle to reduce stress on the ligament.
Progress in Early 2024
By February 2024, Zerengetti had been using the DSS boot consistently, with support levels gradually reduced as he adapted to the treatment. The DSS settings were adjusted to level 1 from February, allowing Zerengetti to transition to less intensive support while maintaining stability.
March 2024: Notable Improvement
In March 2024, Zerengetti was doing well in daily work at setting 1 of the DSS. He showed no signs of lameness, according to his owner. His routine involved wearing the boot for three hours a day at setting 2.
During this period, a remote examination included:
- Assessment of Walk and Trot: Evaluations in hand and on a lunge, both on hard and soft surfaces, confirmed Zerengetti’s soundness.
- Ultrasound Findings: The lateral suspensory ligament showed a good healing pattern with no excessive scar tissue.
The progressive and active rehabilitation with the DSS, under a strict protocol of load-limited exercise, led to significant improvements in the fiber patterns within Zerengetti’s ligament. The support levels were carefully monitored and adjusted by our expert team to challenge the affected tissue appropriately. After several months of dedicated work by Gill, Zerengetti became completely sound and comfortable, returning to full dressage training by Spring 2024.
This journey showcases the importance of a structured rehabilitation plan, the effective use of advanced support devices like the DSS, and the dedication of the owner in achieving a successful recovery.