“He’s on Adequan and Legend, and Platinum Performance. I throw the kitchen sink at him maintenance-wise, so no stone is unturned.” Her feel originally recognized the misstep, and Anne
Marie’s horsemanship also helps protect Buddy. At a show, her warm up is careful. “We don’t over-jump him ever. We’ve been together as a pair for so long that we don’t have to jump all the time. And I only show him in the hunters now, the Amateur Owner Division.” Buddy has returned to the show ring and in 2014 had
his best year at the HITS Desert Circuit, Thermal, California. Showing Amateur Owner Hunter, 36 and over, 3 ft. 3 in., Bud- dy was named Mid-Circuit Champion (weeks I—III). He also took the champion title for weeks VI and VII. “We ended up Grand Circuit Champion!” says Anne Marie. “Go Buddy!”
With Buddy, Dr. Travers uses the shock wave as needed.
“We go through Buddy every month and look at everything on him. If I see some little thing, I go after it. I palpate his liga- ments, and if I feel anything, then I use the shock wave. It’s all about finding things that are not a big deal, when it is just starting.” Following his treatment and rehab, such diligent mainte- nance keeps Buddy ready for competition. Anne Marie says,
Preventing Suspensory Injury
Suspensory injuries are considered the most common injury to a horse who works hard in sport. At a presentation about suspensory in- juries in 2013, Dr. Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD and noted equine biomechanics research- er, outlined the many factors that affect ten- don and ligament strength:
conformation,
exercise in the first two years of a horse’s life, age, shoeing, footing and the type of work. The older the horse, for example, the lower the elasticity of the fibers in the horse’s ten- dons and ligaments. The work causes these fibers to stretch, but after work, they need to return back to their normal size to main- tain strength and integrity. If they stretch too much and begin to tear, she explains, the horse will have a problem. “Cold therapy after work is a good idea!”
Dr. Clayton advised at the presentation. Whether cold hosing or using cold wraps, any type of cold therapy on their legs will help prevent injury. “Management of your horse plays an important role. For dressage riders, avoid doing too many extensions. Also avoid deep footing, hard footing and ‘grippy’ footing.”
22 July/August 2014
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