16 Yo Trotter with spinal injury

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Kwho1234

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Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice and experiences with supplements that may help support a horse with neurological issues, muscle tightness, and hind-end weakness, alongside regular physio.



Horse background:

• 16-year-old trotter

• Previously a happy hacker (loved being ridden)

• Ex–sulky racer on roads when young → mild joint and tendon issues

• Rescued from a rescue centre

• Out of ridden work for over a year



Injury history:

• Suspected fall in the field involving his neck

• Vet suspects spinal injury/neurological involvement

• Since injury he shows hind-end incoordination and reluctance to be ridden- anxious behavioral issues since injury



Physio findings:

• Tight spasm in left brachiocephalic muscle (more than right)

• Neck: normal lateral flexion to left, slightly stiff to right

• No spinal pain on palpation

• Pain response in left hind hamstrings/semimembranosus (hard area improved with massage)

• Initial discomfort in right stifle, improved after tensor fascia lata release

• Tight adductor muscles both sides

• Stiff hip flexion, worse on left

• Stands with hind limbs externally rotated

• Walks with some hind limb incoordination

• Turns well on forehand but struggles to back up or flex pelvis

• Neck rotation to right slightly restricted



Current management:

• Regular physio

• In-hand exercises

• K taping

• Previously tried Devil’s Relief (no noticeable improvement) was on Bute but don’t want him on it long term

• German chamomile given when anxious

• Fed Baileys Senior Soft & Lite

• Turned out during the day, stabled at night with hay





I’d really appreciate recommendations or experiences with supplements that may help with:

• Neurological support

• Muscle recovery and relaxation

• Joint support

• Comfort/pain management (non-sedating preferred)



I know supplements aren’t a cure, but I’m hoping to support him as much as possible alongside physio and correct management.
 
I take it you're not planning on riding him again? I don't know of anything that works for neuro problems, but I have had decent results with Cortaflex on a mildly arthritic horse. We eventually started on Cartrophen injections which also resulted in a good outcome.

Did your vet take x-rays or were they just going on clinical signs?
 
Our vet and physio said in time he can be ridden again but I’m very hesitant as he has so many physical issues I don’t want to add to them :( He didn’t take any x rays just went off of what he could see and feel, I will look into cortaflex and the cartrophen thank you so much 💙💙
 
Beausmate said:
I take it you're not planning on riding him again? I don't know of anything that works for neuro problems, but I have had decent results with Cortaflex on a mildly arthritic horse. We eventually started on Cartrophen injections which also resulted in a good outcome.

Did your vet take x-rays or were they just going on clinical signs?
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ur vet and physio said in time he can be ridden again but I’m very hesitant as he has so many physical issues I don’t want to add to them :( He didn’t take any x rays just went off of what he could see and feel, I will look into cortaflex and the cartrophen thank you so much 💙
 
Midlifecrisis said:
I’m afraid you won’t like my response but neurological issues don’t go away and worsen, in all honesty I’d save my money and emotion and pts.
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Midlifecrisis said:
I’m afraid you won’t like my response but neurological issues don’t go away and worsen, in all honesty I’d save my money and emotion and pts.
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This wasn’t mentioned by the vet or physio and they both seem quite hopeful so hopefully it won’t have to come to that but thank you for your honesty I appreciate it 💙
 
Used it on a couple, the first time with my oldie no one knew I’d started it. YO stuck her head out the stable door while I was schooling and said what have you done 😂.
Def helps the current share after he really struggle during summer.
Did become insufficient for the oldie who spent his last couple of years on bute so it’s not an equivalent.
I think it might depend what is neuro and what is inflammation though
 
Neurological conditions caused by inflammation caused by active injury can and do get better with anti-inflammatories and steroids, so it would depend for me on the time since injury and the response to those therapies. If the response is limited then I would say you have a very guarded prognosis for a return to work
 
ester said:
Used it on a couple, the first time with my oldie no one knew I’d started it. YO stuck her head out the stable door while I was schooling and said what have you done 😂.
Def helps the current share after he really struggle during summer.
Did become insufficient for the oldie who spent his last couple of years on bute so it’s not an equivalent.
I think it might depend what is neuro and what is inflammation though
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That’s brilliant he/she hadn’t a clue😂Thank you I appreciate it I’ll definitely look into it and see 😌💙
 
Beausmate said:
@Midlifecrisis is correct in saying neuro issues tend to get worse. I would definitely want x-rays and I would hold of on the physio until I knew what was going on.
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I’ll get onto the vet again and ask if he could get some x rays done to get more clarification on what’s going on in the meantime I’ll get some of the cortaflex it seems to have good reviews online thank you💙
 
TheMule said:
Neurological conditions caused by inflammation caused by active injury can and do get better with anti-inflammatories and steroids, so it would depend for me on the time since injury and the response to those therapies. If the response is limited then I would say you have a very guarded prognosis for a return to work
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That’s brilliant to hear thank you so far the physio and k taping has been working great just looking for supplements that might benefit the muscles 😌
 
You don't really have a diagnosis. Neck injury and muscle tightness with uncoordinated behind could mean a mild problem or a catastrophic injury.

For me he's had a hard life and he's in pain. Why wouldn't you want to bute him. 16 isn't ancient but it's not young. His joints are likely older in their condition than his age.
If he's uncoordinated he could be dangerous for you to ride or even handle.

I would be another at least considering PTS. It sounds as if you love him but he sounds as if he owes no one anything and even if he improves a little I wouldn't want to subject him to riding again. Sorry I know I sound harsh. Sometimes you just have to accept that things aren't fixable and this horse has a lot going on.
 
misst said:
You don't really have a diagnosis. Neck injury and muscle tightness with uncoordinated behind could mean a mild problem or a catastrophic injury.

For me he's had a hard life and he's in pain. Why wouldn't you want to bute him. 16 isn't ancient but it's not young. His joints are likely older in their condition than his age.
If he's uncoordinated he could be dangerous for you to ride or even handle.

I would be another at least considering PTS. It sounds as if you love him but he sounds as if he owes no one anything and even if he improves a little I wouldn't want to subject him to riding again. Sorry I know I sound harsh. Sometimes you just have to accept that things aren't fixable and this horse has a lot going on.
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Thank you for replying and I really appreciate the honesty I want to hear different views on the situation, 100% his joints are older due to his hardship but with with vet and physio treatment he has improved a lot so I can’t consider putting him to sleep when there is genuine progress being made, he was on Bute for a while but the long term affects of NSAIDS can be tough on a horse so that’s why I am looking into supplementing muscles and joints with something less harsh, I really do and he is such a sweet happy boy when he doesn’t have flare ups, the vet and physio both said he can be ridden again but I am very hesitant as yes it is dangerous when his co ordination is off and it risks him getting hurt more, he’s brilliant to work with in hand no worries at all and loves being handled but unfortunately like you said some issues can’t be fixed although the overall goal is not to be ridden again it is just to have him pain free 😌I have gotten some suggestions on supplements so hopefully some of them may help support overall muscle and joint help along with physio rehab work 🤞🤞💙💙
 
So I would either:
- spend the money and x-ray to see if it’s an injury with inflammation or actual pinching due to spinal arthritis.
- or get a timeline from the vet of how long you would expect to see an improvement to tell the same.

If spinal arthritis I would pts. There’s no real going back from that. If a temporary injury you can then relax, give anti inflammatory meds and go from there. I would turn out individually or with one calm other thereafter.
 
katewholihane said:
That’s brilliant to hear thank you so far the physio and k taping has been working great just looking for supplements that might benefit the muscles 😌
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How long ago was the injury? A horse actively showing neurological symptoms needs more than a bit of sticky tape. You need better diagnostics to isolate where/ what the problem is if you want to fix it, and he certainly still needs to be on NSAIDs if he is displaying pain symptoms. I would not entertain the idea of riding the horse without a definitive diagnosis and full resolution of all symptoms
 
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