Patient: Ollie, 12-year-old dressage horse.

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Primary injury: Left fore accessory ligament of the DDFT (check ligament) injury, first identified in July 2025 following mild swelling. The horse subsequently reinjured the ligament during turnout, with ultrasonographic deterioration. Treatment included stem cell therapy, after which clinical improvement was reported.

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EqueStride rehabilitation: started 18 December 2025, approximately 5 months after the initial injury. At commencement, there was minimal swelling, no pain on palpation and the horse was sound at walk and trot.

 

Ultrasonography: Follow-up ultrasound on 9 January 2026 demonstrated good transverse and longitudinal fibre pattern, consistent with progressive ligament healing.

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Rehabilitation: EqueStride-supported exercise was progressively increased from controlled turnout and walking to ridden walk, followed by gradual introduction of short trot intervals. By May, Ollie was tolerating approximately 8.5 hours of turnout daily and remained sound.

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Setback/new injury: In May 2026, Ollie developed acute right forelimb swelling with very mild lameness and a positive response to flexion. Ultrasound identified a hypoechoic region with irregular fibre pattern involving the ALDDFT/check ligament region, consistent with a new right fore check ligament injury.

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Management of RF injury: Exercise was reduced, with rest, NSAIDs, icing and EqueStride support, followed by stem cell therapy and Indiba treatment. Controlled hand grazing, small-paddock turnout and walking were subsequently reintroduced.

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Outcome to date: The left fore check ligament injury showed good clinical and ultrasonographic recovery, with return to ridden exercise. Rehabilitation was subsequently redirected towards the new right fore injury, with Ollie remaining sound at walk and trot at the latest documented review while controlled exercise and turnout were progressively increased.