Any ideas??(in new lounge aswell)

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cazmoreton

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In new lounge aswell


A 15.2 mare went lame about 4 months ago on and off it would change every few days,
the owners had the vet out and they mentioned navicular and ringbone etc, the mare was taken for X-rays in wich any bone problems were completely ruled out, and the best equine vet in Northants had a look and comented on how good her navicular bone was.
So the owners were told to Leave her untill she was sound for 2 weeks in a row, this time came and she was then allowed to ride out on feilds 10 mins and gradually build it us very slowly,
But 2 weeks of this still only riding about 40 mins walking and on very soft ground doing a short trot.
Well She's hopping lame again, and the vets are saying to put her in a tiny enclosed area small enough that she cant get into a canter as this horse is a complete nutter in the feild. And she will be going to Camebridge for scans.
Anyone have any idea at all of any thing it could possibly be?
They know it is below the fetlock.
Thanks if you have any idea. X
 
As nothing was seen on x-ray and her navicular looks good, it would suggest a soft tissue problem.

Have you mentioned the lameness to the farrier to see if he can find anything?
 
Yeah, he cant find anything. Its driving everyone on the yard mad trying to figure it out, If she's been reallllly over weight a fair few times as her owner likes her "chubby" but its more than chubby!
Could that have caused anything? She's never actually got lami but been reallll fat!
x
 
When you say she's going to Cambridge for scans, do you mean MRI? Because if the owner is with Petplan, they cover the full cost of MRI and it is very worthwhile with soft tissue injuries in the foot area. It really helps to know what you're dealing with.

The case you have outlined sounds very similar to one of mine. The MRI that we eventually had done showed damage to the collateral ligaments of the coffin joint and a small lesion on the DDFT. Key to her recovery was foot balance, and we took her out of shoes and went on a barefoot programme (DAEP qualified Equine Podiatrist). The gradual conditioning and transition to barefoot worked well with a slow rehabilitation programme of the soft tissue damage, and she went from strength to strength, back in light work within 6 months, and fully sound within a year.

Just something to consider if the tests show anything similar to ours.
 
If it's not to do with bones and the farrier can't find anything then you're looking at soft tissue damage. The only way these can be successfully diagnosed is using MRI. My boy was on/off lame when he did his collateral ligament. He went for x-rays as it was suspected he had navicular or arthritis. Good luck.
 
Hi,

Firstly you say that they know it is below the fetlock. Has the horse had nerve blocks, in which case they should be able to isolate this even further and tell the owner where the pain is.

If this shows as being in the foot then the only way of finding out what is wrong is MRI, however if it is above the hoof capsule then ultrasound should be able to tell.

There are lots of different injuries that this could be. I'm assuming that there is nothing visible. This would suggest soft tissue damage in the hoof area.

My horse currently has injury to the deep digital flexor tendon and the collateral ligament of the coffin joint. Both of these injuries require him to be on firm level ground (tarmac) and any uneven ground would be the worst thing for him, they also need to be kept on the straight for sometime.

It is probably really important that your friend tries to find out exactly what the injury is in order to know how to treat it correctly.

Your friend is very luck to have you caring about her horse and trying to find out. If I can be of any further help please PM me.
 
Yes she has had nerve blocks to find out its below the fetlock.
One of the vets in training mentioned to the propper vet the sesamoid ligament?
also your right there isnt anything visible.
Thanksss. x
 
Hi Again,

As the horse has nothing visible and has been lame for 4 months, your friend should really be thinking about MRI.

Everything you are saying seems to suggest some form of soft tissue damage, these require rest (sometimes quite long periods).

I would think that if the vet suggested riding on soft ground he was thinking along the lines of brusing, concussion or maybe arthritic changes. However if the horse is lame again then it needs further investigation. I hope it is an MRI that the horse is booked in for as ultrasound scan cannot get into the hoof capsule.

Most insurance companies will now pay something towards this. Mine paid 50% and I know that some of the others pay the full amount. PM me if I can help anymore
 
MRI scan on monday and if nothjing is found she'll be refered to camebrige, where the vets assured us no matter what it is it will be found.
fingers crossed we finally find out what it is!
x
 
If only they would listen when we tell them to be careful. Life would be alot easier !!
mad.gif
 
ahaa, she's a nutcase i swear!
The vet couldnt do the scans today because of all her new induries, her neer side forehand knee is the size of a football. and got a huge gash on her hind leg, both front leg tendons swolen, bruised sole, urghh the list goes on.
Now she's lame on all 4 legs, the vet was like so um why am i here?
loll

xxx
 
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