Much treasured member of the family
Recently I have been working closely with one of our local equine veterinarians, and a lovely young family on their horse, Jellybean.
Jellybean sustained an injury via a suspected kick from one of the family’s other horses, was quite lame and with reasonable inflammation of the hind leg and hock. Under radiographs this presented as a fracture of the hind cannon. The fracture was mild and quite high, close to the hock, but still a fracture. For most cases, prognosis is poor for the horse and euthanasia is advised.
However together with the attending veterinarian and the family a plan was discussed to give this gorgeous little fellow a chance. His leg was immobilised and he was contained to a very small stall for several weeks to allow the fracture to heal. After a few weeks I then commenced to tape the leg in a biomechanical support using kinesio-tape; with the veiw for the leg to start to be used, but in a restricted and supportive manner.
Jellybean was taped every couple of days to ensure the tape was always supporting what it needed to support and still allowing some function. Short walks were added, starting his rehabilitation and strengthening phase of his journey. Muscles over his hindquarter and back were also taped at various stages of this time to encourage use and support while alleviating wastage, and he also received red light therapy each time we taped.
Early February 2015 the leg was radiographed again and we were very pleased to see the leg in a much better state with evidence of healing. Jellybean is now out and about in a larger paddock and able to move about at his own free will, though we are still taping 2-3 times a week to provide support.
The future for this fellow is now great – he will have another 6 months of paddock rest to ensure the leg is sufficiently healed and strong enough before being ridden again.
While every horse and situation is different, it has been an interesting journey with this fellow and I am very pleased that Jellybeans owners had the courage to try to save him and the trust in me to allow the application of my kinesio taping skills to support the recovery of the fracture.
Hindquarter and joint support taping
Support with color!
Jellybean and Blake
Jellybean well on his way to full mobility
Melissa Longhurst is a certified Equine Body Worker (EEBW) and Equi-Tape Therapist working in the
Mackay & Whitsunday’s region of Queensland.
I welcome you to share the articles posted on this site but do request that original works are credited.
Equine Massage should not be used as a substitute for veterinary care. If in doubt of your horses’ health or well being, Melissa will refer you to your preferred veterinarian prior to commencing any bodywork. Horses under the care of a veterinarian should first be cleared by the attending veterinarian to ensure that massage is appropriate for the horse at this time.