"Dropped" suspensories?

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:02 pm

We have a mare (an '89 model) that looks like her back suspensories are dropping. Is there anything that can be done from a management standpoint to slow the process? She has a foal at her side and is currently sound. Thanks.

Cathyleabo · Postby **Cathyleabo** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:43 pm

Damn Gravity! My front suspensories drop further every year!

Okay, now that the smart-ass alter ego has had her say: What are suspensories?

Roger · Postby **Roger** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:08 am

Have you tried trimming her toes back to about 2 1/2 inches and letting her heels grow out some.

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:05 pm

It's called DSLD, or Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis. Google it or go to The Horse.com and see the information there.

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:26 am

It's called getting old, keep her moving and please think before you try getting another foal out of her.

Roger · Postby **Roger** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:07 am

Trackgal, an 18 yr old mare is not an old mare, if she has been taken care of and if she comes from the right families. There is nothing better than a mare that has proven that she is a good producer. She may need a year between foals, but to stop breeding her because she has suspensory problems does not make sense to me. She needs more care, but she still can be productive. We would never have had Secretariat if we used age as a factor.

KamiBrooks · Postby **KamiBrooks** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:03 am

Here is the yahoo group for DLSD [email protected]

They have lots of information about DLSD and nutritional approaches to try to slow the process in their files/links section.

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:01 pm

not all mares age the same...