A two-parter....feet issues and sharing

[alsxx]

Apologies if this is a long one. Some people may have read previously about my mare who has lameness issues. To cut a long story short, she is now on a year out at grass minus shoes to see what happens. She has minor soft tissue damage in her fronts and was therefore about 2 tenths lame only on a circle on the hard - fine in a straight line and on a surface, she also had tendon sheath inflammation on her left hind that kept flaring up making her again about 2 tenths lame on a circle on a soft surface. Now if she comes out of her year at grass with no improvement its no big deal as she will stay with me forever - I've had her since a foal (she's now 6

).

She is however quite bored and has gotten very good at making mischief, including jumping over the electric fence whenever it takes her fancy (not quite sure how much good that does her!). She whizzes round the field and doesn't look lame, and I popped her on the lunge a couple of months back and lunged her for a couple of circuits on the field (so hard surface) - she didn't look noticibly lame like she had before but I didn't think she looked right and thought she looked short striding in front - previously she was noticibly lame on each foreleg on both reins so not sure if this is an improvment or not. She also didnt look lame behind but it was quite hard so not sure what she would be like on a soft surface. So what I am getting at, is would it be wise to maybe start hacking her in the spring? I'm talking about just walking, nothing else, no schooling/lunging, literally just plodding round the lanes. I'm quite torn as on one hand I know she cant really stay in the field the rest of her life as she likes to work, and would just walking round the lanes really do that much damage, but on the other hand I wonder if I were to give her another year....would that mean she could be back up to normal and able to go out and do a bit of competing. The short answer is, I cant afford to spend any more money on her as the insurance has long run out.

Thoughts on this would be welcome - I know its a long way off but I cant really make my mind up on what is the right thing to do with her so it may take me another 6 months to figure that out!! I will also post this bit in vet...

So, the sharing bit, as I have another horse, would someone be interested in sharing her? I mean someone to just come and walk her round the lanes (with me on my horse - I dont really like trotting on roads now just in case!) as I wouldn't have the time to ride both - would that interest someone? She's very well behaved and fab in traffic - sensible beyond her years. It would also be nice to have someone to ride out with, and I would only really need a contribution towards her shoeing, and wouldn't expect anyone to do any chores as I have my own place that I rent (unless they wanted to!). But do these people exist, just someone nice who enjoys spending time around horses and is happy to just wander out and have a natter?

Or should I forget that idea as no one would be interested in just walking.....

 

[Echo Bravo]

I(f she looks sound and getting into mischeif she's bored stiff and you say the insurance money has run out, so yes take her out for hacks and yes you will find someone to share as long as you tell them it's happy hacking. Come to think of it I have a 4 year old same thing so shall start advertising.

 

[cptrayes]

I'd ride her, especially if she is staying shoeless as it will help her grow good feet. But I'd ride her anyway.

 

[TPO]

I would get a second opinion, preferably vets, on whether she was sound or not. When it's your own horse it's hard as your idea of "normal" changes. Speaking from experience having a field sound horse who at times has looked sound as my eye has adapted to her. I don't know if that makes sense? I know what I mean but obviously not so good at putting it into words!

I wouldn't advise lunging her at all. If you are looking to bring her back into work then straight lines as much as possible; either in-hand or long reining.

If it's soft tissue damage then generally they find soft going more uncomfortable; horses with boney issues find hard ground more uncomfortable. Walking her out in hand (briskly) starting at 5 mins on the road in a straight line and gradually increasing it would be your best bet. Then add tack but reduce the time (only increase either duration or intensity at a time; when one increases reduce the other to start with) and if she's still sound introduce a rider.

It's said that however long they have off it will take that length of time to bring them back to full fitness. It's my opinion that the longer you spend walking the better. As a first step I'd get vet out to confirm if she's sound and then take it from there.

Wish you both the best

 

[alsxx]

Thanks TPO. The plan before I do anything with her in the spring is to get a reassessment, however it will be with a different vet. The vet I had originally had thinks I should just stick her on bute and ride her, but that doesn't sit right with me as IMO thats just masking the issue and potentially causing further damage. I know exactly what you mean by adapting to them....as I said in my OP, I didn't think she looked right but cant put my finger on it, so its hard to tell whats going on. Yes she charges round the field at 100mph and looks fine, and so many people have said to me but she's not lame - my answer is ah but she's got her blood up and is feeling good but if you scrutinised her she would probably be lame.

Re straight lines and no lunging, this is why I would just want to walk her out and nothing other than that, even if she just plods out for 2 years gradually increasing the time she is ridden for.

Re her lameness and the going, she's had x-rays and MRI and no changes on x-ray, and mild soft tissue damage showed up on the MRI, yet she's lame on the hard? Who knows.....I have a while to think al lthis over, as I'm just really not sure what to do with her for the best.

 

[TPO]

I had the same problem; original vet told me to keep her on danolin, ride and breed from her in line with original plan for her before lameness. Funnily enough didn't sit well with me either!!

I think when you will them to be sound and are used to their new/adapted way of going then they do appear sound, especially if they are happy in themselves. Unfortunately mine is on borrowed time as will never get better but it's hard to believe when she's galloping around the field bucking and farting!

Hope your mare makes a full recovery so you can enjoy riding her again and I'm sure you'll find a sharer who'll enjoy riding her and having a natter no worries!