Any advice or end of the road?

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Cbro23

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Hi

my horse has been lame since May 2022. I’ve had 3 chiropractors, 3 physios and 2 vets out since. We’ve done back X-rays, nerve blocks in the back, hocks and suspensorys, xrayed the stifle and medicated his SIs. all coming up with absolutely nothing. He’s uncomfortably stiff and disuniting constantly in canter on the left rein. Intermittently on the right. I am at a total loss.
Vets can’t go any further without spending thousands of pounds (already spent around £3000-4000 over various professionals) and because there is no concrete diagnosis we are just guessing and could end up not fixing it at all even after throwing thousands more at it.
They have suggested either turning away for 18 months and hope something changes or PTS. I really hate the later option. Has anyone got any idea what else this could be?! I am so exhausted (and now skint) and I am struggling with making an any decisions. He’s an 8yr old ex-racer, just seems so young. Any advice welcome! Thank you x
 
looks less stiff but the disuniting persists. Absolutely no impulsion from behind. No sign of kissing spine or anything else. Feel so hopeless
 
Cbro23 said:
Hi I’ve had him 2 years. Only ever been in light work
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Has this come out of nowhere or can you identify when it started and a possible cause?

Was he vetted before you bought him? Do you know his history?

I'd be tempted to properly turn him away. Rough him off and pull shoes and find maybe a retirement herd for him to be properly turned away for at least 6mths. Then bring back into work following a very controlled rehab plan.

I'm not a fan of turning away wonky horses because I believe it just strengthens the compensations BUT it doesn't appear that your horse is presenting as wonky. With that in mind I'd rough off and turn away.

The issue will either sort itself or it'll get worse and that might present clear avenues to investigate.
 
TPO said:
Has this come out of nowhere or can you identify when it started and a possible cause?

Was he vetted before you bought him? Do you know his history?

I'd be tempted to properly turn him away. Rough him off and pull shoes and find maybe a retirement herd for him to be properly turned away for at least 6mths. Then bring back into work following a very controlled rehab plan.

I'm not a fan of turning away wonky horses because I believe it just strengthens the compensations BUT it doesn't appear that your horse is presenting as wonky. With that in mind I'd rough off and turn away.

The issue will either sort itself or it'll get worse and that might present clear avenues to investigate.
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Thank you for this, he started to to be unhappy under saddle. We did all the normal things, saddle fitter, teeth etc. but nothing changed. Then went to chiropractor and eventually investigations with the vet.

He wasn’t vetted, came straight off the track. Was a gamble and I totally accept that, hence why I’ve been prepared to spend the money up until now. Vet does believe this is a historic racing injury but that’s just a gut feeling given that we haven’t been able to pinpoint the problem.

if nothing else, turning him away will allow him to be a horse. What I did forget to mention though is that he’s been given bute daily now (as of today) as prescribed by vet as they aren’t sure if he’s in pain generally until I’ve had time to process and come to a decision which complicates things further from a turning away perspective
 
TPO said:
Just because I've just read a post o a different thread suggesting this; what about trying someone like Tom Beech?

He seems to be a fairly pragmatic type and has worked wonders in some instances. Maybe worth a punt
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could be an option, I’ve had every other professional out it can’t do any harm- thank you for the suggestion :)
 
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Mine had a muscle biopsy and was diagnosed with RER (different to PSSM, nothing to do with glycogen storage) and also chronic vitamin E deficiency (from bloods) and hypermobility issues. He certainly struggles with canter.
 
BBP said:
Mine had a muscle biopsy and was diagnosed with RER (different to PSSM, nothing to do with glycogen storage) and also chronic vitamin E deficiency (from bloods) and hypermobility issues. He certainly struggles with canter.
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It’s been an interesting thread as the vet has been looking at physical injuries but maybe we need to change tac a little. Convinced I need to have the neck xrayed and maybe bloods done. The PSSM test seems like a good option given it’s cost effective and easy. Glad you got a diagnosis for yours, that’s half the battle!
 
Good suggestions, perhaps you could start with the benign stuff first such as turn away barefoot as you won’t be riding and do some genetic testing and X-rays.
 
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