Absolutely frustrated - Bone Spavin yet again...

[tasel]

My horse was diagnosed with bone spavin earlier this year. Lameness started coming into play last year, but the first vet misdiagnosed, and BS was only diagnosed in February.

Because the first vet misdiagnosed, we really only have 2 months left on the insurance now. She has had her 2nd Cortison injection, and although not hopping lame, still visibly lame in trot (esp. trot - walk transitions). Don't even ask about canter.

My horse is only 4 years old, and was hardly ridden - she was supposed to be backed when lameness occurred last year. Personality-wise, she is my horse of a lifetime, and I am really devastated that this has happened. She tries so hard for me, and I just feel so terrible!!!

Does anyone have any experience with BS that occurs at such a young age??? What can I possibly do to help her get over this? She already had two Cortison injections, gets Glucosamine + Chondroitin in her feed, and soon, MSM will be added, too.

I am really at wits end, and don't know what to do!!!

Positive vibes needed, please.

 

[MrsMozart]

No experience, but thinking of you and hoping it goes well.

 

[tasel]

Thanks MrsMozart - I am just at an all time low at the moment. Never felt this helpless before.

 

[Peter026]

Have you tried devils claw? Also have her shod with lateral extensions and the toes rolled,

 

[keeperscottage]

I bought my daughter a 6 year old gelding which had recently been brought over from Ireland - a nice type. Insured him before collecting from vendor, but he didn't seem quite right behind (this was the first horse I'd bought since about 1970 without having vetted, purely because I thought, at 6, it would be fine!). Cutting a VERY long story stort, it had a bone spavin. Working him on bute (hoping for a natural fusion of the bones in the hock) didn't work, Cortison injections didn't work, and we ended up with arthrodisis of the hock (surgery) being carried out - and it worked! He's 11 now and sound, so there is hope for horses with spavins!! Only problem was, we was lame too soon after we bought him for the insurance to "kick in" (there being a 14 day exclusion period) so I ended up paying £5,000 worth of vet fees, but he was worth it!

 

[niko]

Tasel, i feel your pain my mare has just been diagnosed rising 6! She hunted all season never had a lame step brought her in from the field one day and was lame in trot. Vet x-rayed her said it was the advanced stages of BS and as it had healed and she acted the maggot in the field had put a fracture through it to re-open! So i tried riding her through it for a month or so on bute, but as it slows the healing process i have taken her off it & turned her away for 4-6months which should do the trick. My OH's bro also had his 4yr old undergo surgery for it as he had bony spurs so they are turned awau together with the same ailment to heal together!