Proximal Suspensory Ligament Injury in Horses

By Dr Duncan Houston

Proximal suspensory ligament injury is one of the most frustrating causes of poor performance and hindlimb lameness in horses.

The horse may not look dramatically lame. There may be no obvious swelling. The leg may feel fairly normal. But under saddle, the horse may lose impulsion, struggle to collect, resist canter, feel weak behind, or simply seem “not quite right.”

That is why proximal suspensory injury gets missed.

It is also why it gets overdiagnosed. Not every horse that feels weak behind has proximal suspensory desmitis. Hock pain, stifle pain, sacroiliac pain, hind foot pain, back pain, saddle fit, rider imbalance, and neurological disease can all look similar.

The aim is not to guess. The aim is to localise the pain, image the right structures, treat the true source, and build a careful rehabilitation plan.

Quick Answer

Proximal suspensory ligament injury, often called proximal suspensory desmitis or proximal suspensory desmopathy, affects the upper part of the suspensory ligament near its origin below the knee or hock. It can cause subtle forelimb or hindlimb lameness, poor impulsion, reduced engagement, canter problems, shortened stride, and poor performance. Diagnosis usually requires a lameness exam, diagnostic analgesia, ultrasound, radiographs, and sometimes MRI or CT because ultrasound alone can miss or underestimate deeper hindlimb lesions. Forelimb cases often respond better to rest and controlled exercise than hindlimb cases, while chronic hindlimb cases may need shockwave, orthobiologics, surgery, and a long rehabilitation plan. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

What Is the Proximal Suspensory Ligament?

The suspensory ligament is a major support structure in the horse’s lower limb. It helps prevent excessive fetlock drop during weight-bearing and plays a major role in storing and releasing force during movement.

The proximal suspensory ligament is the upper portion of that ligament, near where it originates:

• In the forelimb, near the upper back of the cannon bone below the knee

• In the hindlimb, near the upper back of the cannon bone below the hock

In the hindlimb, the proximal suspensory region is deep, tightly packed, and close to bone, fascia, nerves, and the deep digital flexor tendon. This anatomy helps explain why hindlimb proximal suspensory problems can be difficult to diagnose and slow to resolve.

You may see several terms used:

Term	Meaning
Proximal suspensory desmitis	Inflammation or injury of the upper suspensory ligament
Proximal suspensory desmopathy	Broader term for disease or pathology of the proximal suspensory ligament
HPSD	Hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy
PSL injury	General owner-friendly term

For this article, I will use “proximal suspensory injury” unless a more specific term matters.

Why Hindlimb Proximal Suspensory Injuries Are Often Missed

Hindlimb proximal suspensory injuries are sneaky little gremlins.

A horse may look only mildly lame in hand, or the lameness may appear only under saddle. Some horses look worse on soft ground. Some look worse on a circle. Some improve after a few days of rest, then relapse as soon as work increases.

MSD Veterinary Manual notes that proximal suspensory desmitis can occur in one or both limbs, is common in athletic horses, and can cause mild to moderate lameness. Bilateral cases may show less obvious lameness but more loss of action. Lameness is often more noticeable on soft ground and when the affected limb is on the outside of a circle. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

In real life, owners often report:

• “He feels weak behind.”

• “She will not push in canter.”

• “He struggles in medium trot.”

• “The canter feels flat.”

• “She feels worse on one rein.”

• “He is sound enough in hand, but not right ridden.”

• “We treated the hocks, but something still feels wrong.”

That pattern should make a vet think broadly, not jump straight to one diagnosis.

Signs of Proximal Suspensory Injury

Signs can be subtle, especially in hindlimb cases.

Possible signs include:

• Mild to moderate lameness

• Poor hindlimb impulsion

• Shortened stride

• Reduced push from behind

• Stiffness in trot

• Difficulty in collected work

• Resistance to canter transitions

• Disunited or weak canter

• Reluctance to jump

• Loss of performance

• Horse feels worse under saddle than in hand

• Lameness worse on soft ground

• Lameness worse on a circle

• Hindlimb dragging or reduced arc of foot flight

• Behaviour change under saddle

• Back, sacroiliac, or gluteal soreness secondary to altered movement

Older hindlimb proximal suspensory literature describes affected horses as often showing a shortened cranial phase of hindlimb foot flight, with lameness commonly more obvious when ridden and often worsened by limb flexion.

The important point: absence of obvious swelling does not rule it out.

The proximal suspensory ligament sits deep. You may not see much from the outside.

Why Hindlimb Cases Are Different From Forelimb Cases

Forelimb proximal suspensory desmitis often has a better prognosis than hindlimb proximal suspensory desmitis.

MSD Veterinary Manual states that most horses with acute forelimb proximal suspensory desmitis respond well to rest and controlled exercise over 3 to 6 months, with approximately 90% returning to function. The prognosis for hindlimb proximal suspensory desmitis is more guarded to fair for return to performance. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Why the difference?

In the hindlimb, the proximal suspensory ligament is more confined by surrounding fascia, bone, and adjacent structures. Nerve compression and compartment-like pressure have been proposed as reasons chronic hindlimb cases may respond poorly to rest alone.

That does not mean hindlimb cases are hopeless. It means they deserve proper diagnosis and realistic expectations from day one.

How Worried Should You Be?

Low Concern

This is more likely when:

• The horse is sound in hand

• There is only mild, occasional poor performance

• No clear lameness is visible

• No swelling, heat, or pain is present

• The issue appeared after a hard session and resolves quickly

• The horse returns to normal within a few days

Action: reduce workload, monitor carefully, check footing and farriery, and record video. If the pattern repeats, book a vet assessment.

Moderate Concern

This is more likely when:

• The horse repeatedly feels weak behind

• Canter transitions are poor

• The horse is uneven on circles

• Lameness appears under saddle but is subtle in hand

• The horse loses impulsion or engagement

• Rest improves signs, but work brings them back

• Hocks, stifles, back, or SI region have already been suspected

Action: stop hard work and arrange a veterinary lameness exam. Proximal suspensory injury should be on the differential list, but not assumed.

High Concern

This is more likely when:

• Lameness is visible at trot

• The horse is worse on soft ground or on a circle

• The horse is lame under saddle

• Hindlimb propulsion is clearly reduced

• The horse is bucking, kicking out, or becoming unsafe

• There is known or suspected suspensory damage

• Ultrasound or MRI has shown proximal suspensory pathology

• The horse has failed to improve with rest or hock treatment

Action: a structured lameness workup, diagnostic analgesia, imaging, and a rehabilitation plan are needed.

Critical

Treat this as urgent if:

• The horse is severely lame

• The horse is non-weight-bearing

• There is a wound near the suspensory region

• There is rapid swelling up the limb

• A fracture, tendon sheath infection, joint infection, or severe soft tissue injury is possible

• The horse is weak, ataxic, or unsafe to move

• Signs started after a fall, kick, slip, or collision

Action: call your vet immediately. Do not continue exercising or lunging the horse.

When Is This an Emergency?

Proximal suspensory injury is usually a performance-limiting lameness problem rather than a same-hour emergency.

But some situations need urgent veterinary care.

Call your vet urgently if your horse has:

• Sudden severe lameness

• Non-weight-bearing lameness

• Rapid limb swelling

• A wound near a tendon, ligament, joint, or tendon sheath

• Severe pain after trauma

• Fever or depression

• Marked swelling around the hock, cannon, fetlock, or tendon sheath

• Suspected fracture

• Suspected suspensory ligament rupture

• A dropped fetlock or unstable limb

• Neurological signs such as ataxia, stumbling, or weakness

Do not label a severely lame horse as “probably suspensory” and wait. Severe acute lameness needs proper veterinary assessment.

What Else Can Look Like Proximal Suspensory Injury?

This is where good diagnosis matters.

Proximal suspensory injury can look like many other problems, and many horses have more than one issue at the same time.

Hock Pain

Lower hock arthritis or inflammation can cause poor impulsion, stiffness behind, difficulty in collection, and poor canter. Hock pain and hindlimb proximal suspensory pain can be difficult to separate without diagnostic blocks.

Stifle Pain

Stifle problems can cause poor canter transitions, weakness behind, reluctance to go forward, and difficulty stepping under.

Sacroiliac Region Pain

Sacroiliac pain can cause poor hindlimb propulsion, canter problems, bucking, crookedness, and back tension. It can coexist with proximal suspensory pain.

Back Pain

Kissing spines, muscle pain, thoracolumbar facet pain, or supraspinous ligament pain can all create poor performance and reluctance to use the back.

Hind Hoof Pain

Long toes, negative plantar angles, thin soles, hoof abscesses, bruising, or shoeing imbalance can cause subtle hindlimb lameness and compensatory back or SI region pain.

Suspensory Branch Injury

Branch injuries may cause fetlock region swelling or pain, and can be missed if attention stays only on the proximal ligament.

Tendon or Check Ligament Injury

Flexor tendon or check ligament problems can cause limb pain and altered loading.

Neurological Disease

Weakness, ataxia, toe dragging, stumbling, or abnormal limb placement should trigger a neurological assessment rather than a simple suspensory treatment plan.

Saddle Fit or Rider Influence

If the horse looks much worse ridden than in hand, saddle fit and rider balance must be considered. This does not mean the problem is “just the rider.” It means the ridden context is part of the case.

The clinical rule is simple: proximal suspensory injury is a diagnosis to prove, not a label to attach to every horse that feels weak behind.

How Do Vets Diagnose Proximal Suspensory Injury?

Diagnosis usually requires several steps.

1. History

Your vet will ask:

• When did the problem start?

• Was it sudden or gradual?

• Is it worse under saddle?

• Is it worse on one rein?

• Is canter worse than trot?

• Does rest help?

• Has the horse had hock, stifle, SI, back, or hoof problems?

• Has the workload changed?

• Has footing changed?

• Has shoeing changed?

• Has medication been given?

Patterns matter. A horse that only struggles in collected canter is different from a horse that is lame at walk after a kick.

2. Clinical Examination

The vet will assess:

• Limb conformation

• Hoof balance

• Tendon and ligament regions

• Pain on palpation

• Back and pelvic soreness

• Muscle symmetry

• Joint swelling

• Range of motion

• Lameness in hand and on circles

MSD notes that pressure over the proximal suspensory region can elicit pain, but this should be compared with the opposite limb because palpation alone is not enough. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

3. Gait Assessment

The horse may be assessed:

• At walk

• At trot

• On a straight line

• On firm ground

• On soft ground

• On the lunge

• Under saddle if safe

• During transitions and canter if relevant

Many hindlimb proximal suspensory cases are more obvious ridden than in hand. If the horse is safe to ride, ridden assessment can be extremely useful.

4. Flexion Tests

Flexion tests may worsen lameness in some cases, but they are not specific.

A positive hindlimb flexion could point toward hock, stifle, suspensory, fetlock, tendon, or multiple structures. It is a clue, not a diagnosis.

5. Diagnostic Analgesia

Diagnostic nerve blocks are often needed.

MSD states that diagnosis of proximal suspensory desmitis usually requires localisation with diagnostic analgesia, and that local anaesthetic effects can overlap with other regions, so interpretation must be careful. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

In hindlimb cases, vets may use blocks around the proximal metatarsal region, deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve, tibial nerve, or other structures depending on the case. The aim is to determine whether pain from the proximal suspensory region is driving the lameness.

6. Ultrasound

Ultrasound is commonly used to assess the proximal suspensory ligament.

It may show:

• Enlargement of the ligament

• Reduced echogenicity

• Fibre disruption

• Loss of normal margins

• Core lesions

• Periligamentous fibrosis

• Asymmetry compared with the opposite limb

• Changes at the bone-ligament interface

But ultrasound has limitations, especially in the hindlimb. A 2021 Frontiers study notes that ultrasound is commonly used for diagnosis and follow-up, but ultrasound alone can be unreliable for exact lesion severity, and high-field MRI is considered the gold standard for hindlimb proximal suspensory ligament assessment in some contexts. (Frontiers)

7. Radiographs

Radiographs help assess the bone where the suspensory ligament originates.

This matters because proximal suspensory pain can involve the ligament, the attachment site, and the proximal third metatarsal or metacarpal bone. MSD recommends radiographic and ultrasonographic examination after pain has been localised. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Radiographs may identify:

• Bony remodelling

• Sclerosis

• Enthesopathy

• Periosteal change

• Avulsion-type injury

• Other bone disease

8. MRI or CT

MRI can be extremely valuable when ultrasound is inconclusive or when deeper bone, ligament, and soft tissue structures need to be assessed together. MSD notes that MRI is useful for detecting subtle proximal suspensory changes that may not be visible or conclusive on ultrasound, and for concurrent evaluation of bony structures. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

CT may also be useful when high-field MRI is not available, especially for evaluating suspected bone changes around the proximal suspensory attachment. (PubMed)

Is MRI Really the Gold Standard?

For many hindlimb proximal suspensory cases, MRI gives the most complete picture.

That does not mean every horse needs MRI. Cost, access, anaesthesia or standing MRI availability, and the clinical question all matter.

A practical approach is:

• Start with a proper lameness exam

• Localise pain with diagnostic analgesia

• Use ultrasound and radiographs first in many cases

• Use MRI or CT when signs, blocks, and standard imaging do not fully explain the problem

The mistake is not failing to MRI every horse. The mistake is assuming a normal or vague ultrasound rules out proximal suspensory disease when the clinical pattern still fits.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on whether the injury is acute or chronic, forelimb or hindlimb, mild or severe, unilateral or bilateral, and whether bone, nerve compression, fascia restriction, or other pain sources are involved.

Conservative Management

Conservative treatment may include:

• Rest from ridden work

• Controlled exercise

• NSAIDs for pain and inflammation

• Cold therapy in acute cases

• Shockwave in selected cases

• Corrective farriery

• Gradual rehabilitation

• Repeat imaging

• Treatment of concurrent hock, stifle, back, SI, or hoof pain

Forelimb acute cases often respond better to conservative treatment than hindlimb cases. MSD reports that most acute forelimb cases return to function with 3 to 6 months of rest and controlled exercise, while hindlimb prognosis is more guarded. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave or radial pressure wave therapy may be used in selected proximal suspensory cases, especially chronic cases where pain and healing response need support.

Older data on chronic hindlimb proximal suspensory desmitis reported that 18 of 44 horses treated with radial pressure wave therapy plus exercise restriction returned to previous activity for at least 6 months without recurrent lameness.

Shockwave is not magic. It is one tool. It should be paired with controlled exercise and a clear diagnosis.

PRP and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate

Orthobiologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate are increasingly used in chronic hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy.

A 2021 retrospective Frontiers study of 93 sport horses with chronic hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy compared controlled exercise alone with leukocyte-rich PRP and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. At 18 months, 43% of PRP-treated horses and 72% of BMAC-treated horses were sound, compared with 4.6% of controls, and more treated horses returned to the same or higher performance level. The authors also noted limitations, including retrospective design, non-blinded assessment, and lack of MRI in the study. (Frontiers)

The fair interpretation is:

PRP and BMAC may help selected chronic hindlimb proximal suspensory cases, but they still require imaging, case selection, rehab, and realistic expectations.

Stem Cells and Other Regenerative Therapies

Stem cells and related regenerative treatments may be considered in selected ligament injuries, but evidence varies by product, injury type, and protocol.

These treatments should not replace:

• Accurate diagnosis

• Pain localisation

• Imaging

• Controlled rehabilitation

• Farriery

• Treatment of concurrent pain sources

A biologic injection into the wrong diagnosis is just expensive optimism.

Surgery

Chronic hindlimb proximal suspensory cases that fail conservative treatment may be candidates for surgery.

Surgical approaches include:

• Plantar fasciotomy

• Neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve

• Desmoplasty and fasciotomy

• Other decompressive techniques depending on the case

The logic is that some hindlimb proximal suspensory injuries involve compartment-like pressure, nerve compression, or fascia restriction around the ligament. Older veterinary literature describes conservative treatment for hindlimb PSD as often unrewarding and surgical interruption of innervation, with or without fascia transection, as potentially giving the best prognosis for return to full athletic function in selected cases.

A 2025 comparison of two surgical techniques found that both deep metatarsal fasciotomy and neurectomy with fasciotomy could result in resolution of lameness and return to athletic use. Horses treated with deep metatarsal fasciotomy took longer to return to work than those treated with neurectomy and fasciotomy, but complications were minimal with either technique. (VTechWorks)

Surgery is not the first step for every horse. It is usually reserved for selected chronic cases with a clear diagnosis and poor response to conservative management.

Do Not Treat Only the Suspensory Ligament

This is one of the most important practical points.

Horses with proximal suspensory pain often have other problems too.

Common concurrent issues include:

• Hock arthritis

• Stifle pain

• Sacroiliac region pain

• Back pain

• Hind hoof imbalance

• Negative plantar angles

• Suspensory branch disease

• Poor saddle fit

• Rider imbalance

• Loss of gluteal and core strength

If you treat only the proximal suspensory ligament and ignore the rest, the horse may never return properly.

In practice, I would rather see a full plan that includes:

• Lameness localisation

• Hoof and farrier review

• Hock and stifle assessment

• Back and SI assessment

• Saddle fit review

• Controlled rehab

• Repeat imaging

• Progressive return to work

Suspensory rehab is not just “rest it and inject it.” It is rebuilding the system that overloaded it.

Rehabilitation Timeline

Every case is different, but many proximal suspensory cases need months, not weeks.

A general framework looks like this:

Stage	Focus	Typical plan
First 2 to 4 weeks	Calm inflammation and confirm diagnosis	Rest, controlled movement, imaging, farrier review
Weeks 4 to 12	Controlled loading	Hand walking or walking under saddle if approved
Months 3 to 4	Recheck and early progression	Repeat ultrasound, straight-line walk, possible short trot sets
Months 4 to 6	Strength and controlled trot	Longer straight-line trot, no tight circles or deep footing
Months 6 to 9	Canter and ridden progression	Larger circles, gentle transitions, progressive conditioning
Months 9 to 12 plus	Discipline-specific work	Collection, jumping, speed or lateral work only when appropriate

Some mild forelimb cases may progress faster.

Chronic hindlimb cases, bilateral cases, cases with bone involvement, and surgical cases usually need a longer, more cautious plan.

What Should You Monitor During Rehab?

Track:

• Lameness

• Heat

• Swelling

• Pain on palpation

• Response after exercise increases

• Quality of trot

• Canter strength

• Hindlimb impulsion

• Back or SI soreness

• Hoof balance

• Ultrasound changes

• Rider feel under saddle

Do not progress just because the calendar says it is time.

Progress because the horse is sound, the ligament is stable on imaging, and the vet agrees the next load is reasonable.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you suspect proximal suspensory injury:

1. Stop Hard Work

Avoid collection, jumping, galloping, circles, deep footing, and intense canter work.

2. Record Video

Capture:

• Walk from behind

• Trot from behind

• Trot from the side

• Circles both directions if safe

• Ridden trot and canter if safe

• Transitions if that is where signs appear

3. Check for Red Flags

Look for:

• Obvious lameness

• Dragging toes

• Poor impulsion

• Swelling

• Heat

• Pain near the proximal cannon region

• Back or pelvic soreness

• Behaviour changes under saddle

4. Book a Veterinary Lameness Exam

Ask for a full hindlimb and back workup, not just a quick look at the leg.

5. Discuss Diagnostic Blocks

A vet should localise pain before concluding the suspensory ligament is the source.

6. Use Imaging Properly

Ultrasound and radiographs are common first-line tools. MRI or CT may be needed when the diagnosis remains unclear.

7. Review Farriery

Long toes, low heels, negative plantar angles, and poor breakover can keep loading the hindlimb structures incorrectly.

8. Do Not Rush Rehab

A horse that feels better after rest may still relapse if the ligament has not healed enough.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

Assuming It Is Hocks

Hock pain is common, but not every weak-behind horse needs hock injections. Proximal suspensory pain is one of the big rule-outs.

Assuming It Is Sacroiliac Pain

Sacroiliac signs can overlap strongly with proximal suspensory pain. Treating the SI region without a limb workup can miss the true source.

Relying on Ultrasound Alone

Ultrasound is useful, but hindlimb proximal suspensory lesions can be difficult to see or grade accurately. MRI may be needed when signs and ultrasound do not match.

Returning to Work Too Soon

Rest can make signs quiet. It does not always mean the ligament is ready for full load.

Ignoring Bilateral Disease

If both hindlimbs are affected, the horse may not show a classic head nod or obvious one-sided lameness. The complaint may be poor impulsion or loss of performance.

Treating the Ligament but Ignoring Feet

Poor hind hoof balance can sabotage rehab.

Thinking Surgery Fixes the Whole Horse

Surgery may help selected chronic hindlimb cases, but strength, farriery, saddle fit, and concurrent pain still matter.

Prevention

Not every proximal suspensory injury can be prevented, but risk can be reduced.

Practical prevention includes:

• Build workload gradually

• Avoid sudden increases in collection, jumping, speed, or deep footing

• Maintain good hind hoof balance

• Avoid long toes and poor breakover

• Watch for negative plantar angles

• Treat hock, stifle, back, and hoof pain early

• Use appropriate footing

• Avoid excessive work in deep arenas

• Cross-train instead of drilling the same movement

• Include rest days

• Build core and gluteal strength

• Monitor subtle changes in canter and impulsion

• Investigate performance decline early

• Recheck old suspensory injuries before increasing workload

The biggest prevention tool is early attention. A horse that starts losing push behind is telling you something before the injury becomes obvious.

Myth vs Reality

Myth	Reality
“Proximal suspensory injury always causes obvious swelling.”	Hindlimb lesions can be deep and subtle with little external swelling.
“If the horse improves with rest, it is fixed.”	Rest may reduce signs, but recurrence is common if rehab is rushed.
“Ultrasound always gives the answer.”	Ultrasound is useful, but MRI may detect changes that ultrasound misses.
“Weak behind means sacroiliac pain.”	It could be SI pain, hock pain, stifle pain, hoof pain, proximal suspensory pain, or several at once.
“Surgery is always needed.”	Surgery is reserved for selected chronic or nonresponsive hindlimb cases.
“Biologics replace rehab.”	PRP, BMAC, or stem cells may support healing, but controlled rehabilitation remains essential.

FAQs About Proximal Suspensory Injury in Horses

Can a horse recover from proximal suspensory injury?

Yes, many horses recover, but prognosis depends on the limb affected, lesion severity, chronicity, imaging findings, discipline, hoof balance, and rehabilitation quality. Forelimb cases often have a better prognosis than hindlimb cases. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Is MRI better than ultrasound for proximal suspensory injury?

MRI can be better for detecting subtle hindlimb proximal suspensory changes, bone involvement, and deeper pathology when ultrasound is inconclusive. Ultrasound is still a common first-line tool and is useful for monitoring many cases. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

How long does rehab take?

Mild cases may need several months. More significant or chronic hindlimb cases often need 6 to 12 months or longer, especially if surgery, bone involvement, or concurrent lameness is present.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is usually considered for chronic hindlimb proximal suspensory cases that have a clear diagnosis and poor response to conservative treatment. Options include fasciotomy and neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve in selected cases. (VTechWorks)

Should I keep riding if I suspect proximal suspensory pain?

Do not continue hard work if the horse is lame, weak behind, losing impulsion, bucking, or worsening under saddle. Light work may be acceptable only after veterinary assessment and with a clear plan.

The Bottom Line

Proximal suspensory ligament injury is one of the classic hidden causes of poor performance and hindlimb lameness in sport horses.

It can look like hock pain. It can look like sacroiliac pain. It can look like back pain. It can look like a training issue. That is why diagnosis needs structure, not guessing.

The safest approach is:

• Stop hard work early.

• Localise the pain with a proper lameness exam.

• Use diagnostic blocks carefully.

• Image the ligament and the bone attachment.

• Do not rely on ultrasound alone if the clinical picture does not fit.

• Treat concurrent hock, stifle, back, SI, hoof, saddle, or rider factors.

• Choose treatment based on severity and chronicity.

• Rehab slowly.

• Recheck before major workload increases.

Forelimb cases often do well with rest and controlled exercise. Hindlimb cases are more guarded and often need a more aggressive, multi-layered plan.

The horse that is “not quite right behind” is worth listening to. Subtle suspensory injuries are easier to manage before they become chronic, compensatory, and career-limiting.

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If your horse has subtle hindlimb lameness, poor impulsion, canter problems, or possible proximal suspensory pain, ASK A VET™ can help you organise videos, imaging findings, lameness history, and the right questions to discuss with your treating veterinarian.