Am I avoiding the inevitable?

[Carobean]

This is kind of a follow on post from my previous one - not sure if I'm deluded just looking for objective advice.

My TB gelding, 7 yo has the most divine temperament but lots of soundness issues:

1. Mild KS - variable response to palpation and nerve blocks were negative so we think it might be an incidental finding
2. Swelling and heat around both front coffin joints - arthritis or poor feet/shoeing?
3. Arthritis in both back fetlocks
4. Negative hoof pastern access on all 4
5. Cyst like lesions in both stifles - although vet thought this could also be an anatomical variation, we're not ruling out that this is causing pain
6. Splint front left

His way of going:
1. Frequent tripping, in front and back
2. Toe dragging both hinds
3. Heavy on the forehand
4. Lacks impulsion
5. Lots of over-reaching

When we did a lameness workup he was lame back left, and both front. He also has ulcers (now going onto second month of treatment as they hadn't cleared up with omeprazole and sucralfate). I strongly suspect he's done his left hind suspensory due to his way of going.

Equioxx trial has not made a difference to symptoms. I do think he is better in work, as he's now had 6 weeks off.

We're doing nerve blocks and scans on Monday but my vet said that if he doesn't block to front feet, she suggested a scintigraphy. This is all getting a bit much for me and I'm so overwhelmed.

I will absolutely do what I can within reason to make him comfortable (remedial shoes/ injections/ rehab) but I have hopes of doing low level eventing and there's just so much going on with him physically that I'm worried he won't ever be sound enough/comfortable enough. I also don't know if mentally (and financially) I can manage his issues without the prospect of him comfortably returning to work.

Most have suggested this is the end of the road, and to call it a day. Am I avoiding the inevitable and should consider discussing PTS with my vet if the blocks and scans are bad? Or do we think there is hope? I don't want to give up on him but this is so emotionally taxing.

 

[SEL]

Those negative hoof angles jumped out at me. There's so much now proving that if you can help there you can help break the cycle of bad posture and the knock on effect on muscles / bone.

I brought the microcob back from 3 days at the vets with KS diagnosed and awful lower leg / hoof X rays feeling very depressed. My farrier had a good look and suggested a remedial shoe behind. We were into cycle 3 of 5 week trim / shoe this week and her angles have improved immensely. Her comfort has improved too and she's started to use herself better.

@sbloom on here has pointed me towards a site with some great tips to helping topline which I'm also following.

Do you have access to a good bodyworker?

 

[Zoeypxo]

In my experience ulcers will only return until the source of pain is eliminated. I treated my mare for ulcers 4 times and they kept coming back to due arthritic changes in the hocks causing pain. Now that her hocks are managed ulcers have never returned. She didnt appear lame as it was bilateral, which is why it was not found sooner!

a bone scan would probably be a good idea although very expensive if you are not insured. Ive had one before and it showed up hocks and ruled out other things we were querying like KS.

i would start with the hoof angles and see how he responds, it may give him enough relief to work on his other issues.

please remember to look after yourself also, its a tough situation to be in. Good luck

 

[McGrools]

Hi, i’m in a similar situation. 7 yr old tb ex racer straight from racing 7 months ago. , he has bad front feet. Especially right fore. I am barefoot rehabbing him, we should have a full new set of front feet in 6-8 weeks. At which point i will get xrays done. And see how bad the situation is.
i am not insured. I will give him the full summer, and make a decision if i continue with him into the winter. I will make the pts decision if i feel he doesnt have a future without a load of medical interventions. I think sometimes your gut instinct should tell you. Some horses unfortunately are just not robust enough to cope and i will call time if i feel there is a poor chance of a normal pain free life.

 

[Fieldlife]

I’d ignore ulcers for now and find a farrier that can correct negative angles. Yogi Sharp / Equine Documentalist covers Brighton to Windsor if you are that side of the country?

 

[Melody Grey]

From experience, I’d continue to treat the ulcers. They can cause havoc with gait making a horse look seriously unsound in some cases. Some cases will require more than one course of treatment and possibly even additional antibiotics. Once the ulcers are more under control I think you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’re dealing with and what is/ isn’t playing out from the list you’ve given. Cost wise, I’d say you’ve come to far to stop treating them now.

ETA: I’ve been round in circles trying to diagnose various lameness/ loss of performance issues and each time, ulcers either suspected or expected have been a significant part- they can’t be blocked out.

 

[Fieldlife]

From experience, I’d continue to treat the ulcers. They can cause havoc with gait making a horse look seriously unsound in some cases. Some cases will require more than one course of treatment and possibly even additional antibiotics. Once the ulcers are more under control I think you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’re dealing with and what is/ isn’t playing out from the list you’ve given. Cost wise, I’d say you’ve come to far to stop treating them now.

ETA: I’ve been round in circles trying to diagnose various lameness/ loss of performance issues and each time, ulcers either suspected or expected have been a significant part- they can’t be blocked out.

They can’t be blocked out, but many vets now don’t treat ulcers in lame horses / horses with kissing spine until the primary source of pain has been found and dealt with, as typically ulcers keep returning and are so expensive to treat.

 

[rabatsa]

Ulcers can return within 7 days of treatment ending, so unless the cause of the ulcers is treated then they will remain a problem.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Are you in a position to turn him away? From basically now until say Spring next year.

Meantime take shoes off and have regular trims from a farrier you trust.

Just a suggestion..........

 

[Carobean]

Are you in a position to turn him away? From basically now until say Spring next year.

Meantime take shoes off and have regular trims from a farrier you trust.

Just a suggestion..........

I've asked about him going barefoot, but due to him having poor feet and likely needing remedial shoes I think this is unlikely.
Unfortunately, I just can't afford to have another horse in retirement (I have another 23 yo). I only work part time as I'm studying as well so I'm in a very difficult position. I'm already terrified of the costs associated with the treatment he may be offered (injections/surgery etc) as I've almost maxed out my insurance for him.

 

[ycbm]

I've asked about him going barefoot, but due to him having poor feet and likely needing remedial shoes I think this is unlikely.

These are the ones who need it most.
.

 

[milliepops]

From experience, I’d continue to treat the ulcers. They can cause havoc with gait making a horse look seriously unsound in some cases. Some cases will require more than one course of treatment and possibly even additional antibiotics. Once the ulcers are more under control I think you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’re dealing with and what is/ isn’t playing out from the list you’ve given. Cost wise, I’d say you’ve come to far to stop treating them now.

ETA: I’ve been round in circles trying to diagnose various lameness/ loss of performance issues and each time, ulcers either suspected or expected have been a significant part- they can’t be blocked out.

Same. My horse was so uncomfortable with her ulcers there was no way we could work anything else up. OP I think you said in your other thread that there had been no improvement. My mare was treated for getting on for 3 months before her ulcers cleared. Fwiw we never found a cause and my vets said they sometimes just develop.

All that said.... for your competitive ambitions, your horse sadly has quite a lot going on. You may as well use all the insurance money at this point but ask vet to be as clear as possible re prognosis.

 

[Carobean]

These are the ones who need it most.
.

In all fairness, he likely has a suspensory, so if it means that he needs remedial shoes to reduce the strain while it heals I am all for that.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Maybe get in tough with Rockley Farm and run it past them.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The one thing that can't be cured is arthritis, so I really don't think you will be able to fulfil your ambitions on this horse.

 

[Goldenstar]

This is a young horse with a lot of issues if it where be me I would be embracing the inevitable that you should impose on a young horse a life in chronic pain .