A West Sussex equine rehabilitation charityhas successfully rehabilitated a five-year-old mare who was suffering from suspensory ligament pain, a commonly overlooked cause of lameness in young horses and one that is often mistaken for laziness.Goldie arrived at Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre in Slinfoldin June with lameness, weakness and behavioural issues. Despite her owner Sallys best efforts, no diagnosis had been found.Following a diagnostic ultrasound scan, Goldie was found to have damage in both her left and right suspensory ligaments and was started on a tailored rehabilitation plan.Treatment planThe rehabilitation plan combined Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment for both hind suspensory ligaments to help reduce the inflammation and discomfort with strengthening Goldies back on the long-reins.The sacroiliac region, often affected secondarily, also benefited from this approach.Within weeks, Goldiesposture improved, her movement became fluid, and she was once again able to carry a rider.Young horses often lack the strength and coordination found in more mature horses, which makes them more prone to this type of injury, said Mary Frances, CEO of Moorcroft.Goldie before her diagnosis and subsequent treatmentAn undetected issueIn my experience, suspensory ligament pain frequently goes undetected, particularly in younger horses, because it is often bilateral. So, if the horse is lame in both hind-legs it is difficult to detect and often put down to laziness, added Mary.The danger is that without the correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment, it can lead to repeated injury, increasing lameness and, in worse case scenarios, euthanasia.Only once the pain and discomfort has been reduced with PRP, long-reining work can begin. Short qualitylong-reiningsessions allowed usto strengthen the back and hindquarterswithout causing damage to the suspensory ligament area, continued Mary.It is essential that thesurface the horse works on for this is firm,even andhelpful. Deep,uneven or irregular surfaces can do even more damage. In order to get the very best results, consistency is key, with the work being monitoring at all times. Importantly, for this type of injury, straight line work is more beneficial than circles.Main symptomsKey signs of suspensory ligament injury include:Reluctance to go forwardDifficulty maintaining straightnessPoor engagement from behindStruggles on deep or wet surfacesLife-changing resultsThe care and expertise at Moorcroft have been life-changing, said Sally. Goldie arrived in pain, with significant damage to both hind suspensory ligaments, and I felt completely lost.Thanks to the teams guidance, PRP treatment, and a carefully managed exercise plan, shes now a different horse. Ive also gained the knowledge and confidence to support her long-term recovery.Main image of Goldie after her treatment. All imagesMoorcroft Equine Rehabilitation CentreRelated contentHow to tell if a horse is lameAge-appropriate training: this is when horses physically matureRehabilitation centre reports record demand as horse owners prioritise preventative careEquine charity champions newplatelet-rich plasma treatmentCommon causes of swollen legs and tips to manage itThe post Young mare with commonly missed condition is successfully rehabilitated appeared first on Your Horse.