Back issue ? What should I do?

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Kate22

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I've got an 8 year old Irish sports horse. I bought him from Ireland when he was 6 and he had only hunted. He has always been really strong and leans on the bit schooling, but this has improved hugely. The trouble is, I wanted to start eventing, but every time we start jumping around 80/90cm, he gets a sore back and needs time off and weekly physio. We have seen a chiro 2 weeks ago and last weekend did some xc on hard ground and since then he has been off work and sore. A fellow livery with a physio qualification yesterday told me not to compete, though we were booked into an event, as when she poked hard behind saddle area, the muscle was reacting. More time off. Saddle checked 4 weeks ago, and regularly as are feet teeth etc. My physio is coming again tomorrow with a tens machine and thinks vet is unnecessary as last time he came out, a year ago when things flared up, we had ulcer scopes, lameness checks etc and got no where, eventually stopping before nerve blocking. My physio thinks getting him thoroughly examined would prob lead to hock injections which could be bad news long term. I'm just really at my wits end with what to do. I've never managed to get much topline on him despite following all physio and vet and feed manufacture advice. He passed a full vetting at age 6 and has been well looked after since with no injuries. What could be going on and what can I do about it? Ps he's 16hh and im 9 stone. Thanks
 
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It sounds like he may have a physical underlying issue possibly hind end or sacriliac so it is a vet job and I think until you get to the bottom of it his always going to be like this, sometimes you need to nerve block because a lot of hind end lameness is bilateral and sometimes a nerve block is the only way to spot it failing that you could have his spine xrayed as it could be a problem there.

The fact you say he won't build correct top line is another sign something is not right there and he may have to be thoroughly checked at the vets but I think really this is your only option.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
You need a vet. I'm afraid I don't think much to a physio who tries to get clients to avoid a vet visit.
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I have known this type of situation to end badly when a physio is telling the owner they don't require a vet, the physio is failing to refer back to the vet which is in fact illegal and they could be struck off for it.
I am not sure why injections into the hocks if that is required would be bad news if it helps your horse who is obviously not able to cope with the job you bought him for, if the physio suspects issues with the hocks she should refuse to treat until you have had the vet out not tell you to keep paying for her services.
 
To my mind, you did not have lameness checks if you did not have nerve blocks. You need to block to decipher what on earth is going on. Horses compensate so well that a bilateral lameness can be missed by a vet without nerve blocks. I think the physio is plain wrong.

I also do not understand what on earth she is going on about with it will lead to injections... it will only lead to injections if you decide, with all the evidence you can gather, to have them. They are not compulsory.
 
I know some people think starting steroid injections young isn't a good idea, but if it makes the horse comfortable then surely it has to be considered? I need my horses weight to drop (she's 8) before injections and tbh I'm worried about what other damage I'm causing exercising while she's sore - rock and hard place. In your situation I'd have another work-up whilst your horse is sore.
 
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