Arthritus? Competing?

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Stormy123456

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Ballet is 15, and a very low milage eventer/allrounder, today she came in from the field with a very stiff movement behind. One leg seemed fine, but the other seemed very "Shuffle-like", and could really feel it when riding her, corners too, she practically fell over on. But practising our dressage test, 2 days before she was fine.

Instructor had a look at her yesterday and today, and said that it could be arthritus as Ballet is sometimes a tiny bit stiff, (but a loose warm up usually sorts it out), but if it is arthritus is it the end to their competitive career (We compete at BE Novice/PC Open)? Is there anything that can help it? Or anything like that?

Last year we had to pull out of a event because of her being a bit stiff, and now have withdrawn from Monday's event due to her being the worst she's ever been.

The vet is coming out on Tuesday, but not sure what to expect if that makes sense?
 
It depends what joints are involved in the arthritis as to whether she will come sound again later. Your vets will be able to explain about arthritic joints fusing and how it might be possible to help this process along. The issue about competing her while she is in pain from arthritis is that if she's clearly lame you may be told you cannot compete or if you do, you may be eliminated for an unsound horse. If you bute her to hide the pain, you have to be aware of the BD (and common sense) rules for that. Don't panic - wait til the vet has been and if necessary get a referral to a specialist lameness centre so you can be sure you know what you are dealing with and what the prognosis is x
 
Thank you very much. :) Feel slightly better now. :) Vet now coming out tomorrow, desperately want to get to the bottom of it, as seems to be going stiffer each day, which is really weird.

Nope, I'd never compete/ride her if she was unsound or in pain. She's my horse in a lifetime, and she doesn't owe me anything.

Crossing all fingers in the hope that she's tweaked something and is just not right.

Thanks again! :)
 
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