Am I mad - what to do?

[pnap]

Sorry this will probably go on a bit.

After having to have Jack PTS at the beginning of this year I finally took the plunge and took another horse on trial a couple of months ago. 5 year old belgian warmblood who has no history of lameness - I entirely trust the lady who owns him so am not questioning that.

However, about 6 weeks ago I was out hacking and when in trot the horse definitely felt off. Fine in walk and canter but definitely not right in trot. Got vet out who recommended box rest - 6 weeks on and he was trotting up and looking better but had ripped a back shoe off so I waited until he had been shod before riding him last night. In trot definitely still not right - trotted up and is as bad as ever. The vet initially suspected navicular - but then said that this would not improve with box rest and he had seen evidence of improvement. Farrier says there is nothing in the foot.

Owner looked at him today and she has been very upfront and said to her it does look like navicular. I have grown very attached to this horse so we are going to do nerve blocks with the vet tomorrow to determine whether lameness is definitely in the foot. I don't know what to do if it does come back with something in the foot - I would look to do riding club type activities with him - am I better cutting my losses and giving him back or is it something worth persevering with - probably need to wait on what the vet says but I just needed to vent.

Any advice from anyone with a horse with navicular greatly appreciated.

 

[mja]

If you look you will find other posts on navicular.

Sadly there is no cure and treatment may not work and cost alot of money. However I do know one that was treated and is sound to be ridden on the flat and another who had tildren injection and was sound for almost 2 years and has had another shot with vet hoping this will keep him sound for good.

It is a gamble and you really need to see what vet says. How are her feet? Low and flat hels is common in horses with navicular and she may need corrective shoeing to raise them and maybe gel pads.

The nerve blocks and xrays and tilden shot here cost over £600 and there is no guarantee it will work. Could the owner go halves with you as youo havent had her long and been lame alot of that time?

 

[CBFan]

I would try not to worry or think about what to do until you have a diagnosis from the vet. At the end of the day the horse is on trial and he could have had this problem before you got him.

 

[poodle20]

I will probably get shot down in flames for this - but here goes. Have you thought of using a qualified (yes they are out there) barefoot trimmer. My friends horses was diagnosed with Navicular and written off by the vet and various farriers, having tried loads of different shoes. Last resort was a barefoot trimmer, horse is now in full work again. If you are interested have a look at UKNHCP website there is loads of information on there plus a list of practitioners. These people are really helpful and will give you loads of advice. Good luck.

 

[BigRed]

As someone else has said, going barefoot seems to help a lot of horses. However that is not really the issue. The issue is, that you took a young horse on trial, with a view to buy him and he is lame. YOU should not pay for any of these investigations. If the owner does not want to pay, then hand him back and look for another horse. Horses are very expensive and emotionally draining when things are not right. This horse is not your responsibility, you have had one tragic loss of a horse, move on and try to find another new partner.

I lost my own much loved horse 2 months ago and I am trying to find another horse person to share my life, so I know how it feels.