Page 586 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• The sacroiliac region may be iced or hosed with cold water for the first 48 hours. This
may be followed up by heat treatment for 1–2 weeks.
VetBooks.ir • After 4–6 weeks, short sessions of walking out in hand may be introduced and gradually

increased over the next 8 weeks.
• After 3–4 months of box rest, the horse may be allowed access to a small outside run and

in-hand walking is continued for a further 3 months.
• Back stretches and strengthening exercises can be started approximately 1 month after

the injury has occurred and continued throughout the 6-month period of extended rest.

• The healing of the ligament should be monitored by ultrasound examination every 8
weeks and the exercise programme adjusted accordingly. Walking over poles and low

obstacles may be included.
• Once healing of the ligament has been confirmed by ultrasound, the horse may then be

turned out into a small paddock. This often takes 4–6 months but some horses require up
to 1 year of confinement.

• Once the horse is sound and the ligament has healed, the horse may gradually be re-

introduced to ridden exercise. Regular light exercise on a horse walker or lungeing with
side reins or a chambon for several weeks helps to build up the horse’s strength before
light, ridden exercise is commenced. A lightweight rider is recommended if possible. It

often takes 6–12 months of rest and controlled exercise before the horse is ready to
attempt more athletic work.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. phenylbutazone, may be prescribed for the

first couple of weeks to reduce the associated inflammation and pain.
• Acupuncture, osteopathic or chiropractic techniques and physiotherapy are helpful for

pain relief, relieving muscle spasm and restoring normal movement.
• Local injections of corticosteroids or Sarapin are sometimes helpful in settling the
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inflammation and pain. Sarapin is a substance that alters transmission of nerve impulses
in the nerve fibres that transmit chronic pain signals. Its use is reported to alleviate the
pain in some horses.

• Injection of sclerosing agents to cause thickening of the sacroiliac ligaments may
increase the joint stability and can alleviate the lameness. However, there is potential for

nerve damage with disastrous consequences.

Following a period of rest, horses with chronic disease should be kept in regular, light work
to strengthen the supporting muscles. The exercise programme or use of the horse may have

to be modified as trotting, galloping and jumping all put stress on the sacroiliac ligaments.