Back with another weird horse thing…

If you’re after an osteo into weird horse stuff Tom Beech may be worth a shout if he’s got any clinics in your area.
 
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I would second Tom Beech. He identified exactly where my mare had a problem in her back, wrote a referral letter to the vet hospital telling them what the problem was which they confirmed through ultrasound and were able to medicate her.
 
I have had Tom before for BBP so I would definitely consider having him out again. I do have an excellent osteopath already, so will give her a go first (sadly until now I could not afford regular treatment, and I think had I used her sooner I would have seen greater improvements already)
 
I was going to wait, but updating this now for my own mental health and because I think if anyone else googles horse hiccups this might help them.

It’s been 2 years of trying to get to the bottom of his problems. 2 years of no improvements in this tendency to get stressed and get the hiccups and want to lie down. 2 years of vets not really taking my concerns seriously, telling me he is young and untrained. Plus we found issues with liver and ulcers to divert the vets attention. I’ve been told that based on X-rays and ultrasounds taken in Feb 2024, and his excellent range of movement, that it is highly unlikely to be a neck issue.

He has repeatedly passed neuro exams with no deficits shown, including yesterday. Today he has had a neck CT myelogram. The vets told me that they look at the images as they scan and any big things leap out right away. Smaller more subtle issues come to light as they review the images in depth afterwards. He has a big thing. I’m waiting for the full report so don’t want to give the wrong information, but essentially a ‘very interesting, very unusual lesion’ at the C6-T1 level. I don’t know what that means for him yet but we do know it’s near enough to the phrenic nerve exit point to be the cause of the hiccups.

However he isn’t doing well in recovery this evening. So I may leave the update at that, just to say to people, trust your gut, know your horse, advocate for them. I have known for 2 years that something is really wrong, and I have tried my best to find it, to understand the problem. I have never pushed him, despite him being nearly 6 years old now and feeling the pressure that he hadn’t been out to see the world. I accepted his ‘no’ each and every time. I’m proud of myself for that, whatever happens next.
 
All the hugs to you xxx

You have been the best advocate for that horse it is possible to be but it is so so hard when they pass all the tests and the vets are struggling to see the subtle wrongness that you can.

Whatever happens now be proud of your determination and trust in your own instincts.

Please accept this offering of a cute photo of the naughties when hooligan was a sweet innocent puppy who just wanted to cuddle

IMG_6640.jpeg
 
I hope he perked up last night. Even when you know there's an issue, having it confirmed is still tough - we always hope it'll turn out to be something minor.

Keep us all posted xx
 
BBP2 said:
I was going to wait, but updating this now for my own mental health and because I think if anyone else googles horse hiccups this might help them.

It’s been 2 years of trying to get to the bottom of his problems. 2 years of no improvements in this tendency to get stressed and get the hiccups and want to lie down. 2 years of vets not really taking my concerns seriously, telling me he is young and untrained. Plus we found issues with liver and ulcers to divert the vets attention. I’ve been told that based on X-rays and ultrasounds taken in Feb 2024, and his excellent range of movement, that it is highly unlikely to be a neck issue.

He has repeatedly passed neuro exams with no deficits shown, including yesterday. Today he has had a neck CT myelogram. The vets told me that they look at the images as they scan and any big things leap out right away. Smaller more subtle issues come to light as they review the images in depth afterwards. He has a big thing. I’m waiting for the full report so don’t want to give the wrong information, but essentially a ‘very interesting, very unusual lesion’ at the C6-T1 level. I don’t know what that means for him yet but we do know it’s near enough to the phrenic nerve exit point to be the cause of the hiccups.

However he isn’t doing well in recovery this evening. So I may leave the update at that, just to say to people, trust your gut, know your horse, advocate for them. I have known for 2 years that something is really wrong, and I have tried my best to find it, to understand the problem. I have never pushed him, despite him being nearly 6 years old now and feeling the pressure that he hadn’t been out to see the world. I accepted his ‘no’ each and every time. I’m proud of myself for that, whatever happens next.
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You should feel very proud of yourself for listening to him and trusting your gut feel. It's not easy when vets and professionals tell you there's nothing wrong and make you feel like a fool. You have been really invested in finding what's wrong and I'm sorry it's something major. I've just had this with my horse. It's such a relief to have found the issue and to know that my instinct was right and that I'm not mad after all! I hope you feel the same. I hope you are OK and sending you best wishes, whatever you decide about him.
 
I hope he has come through the night ok and is doing better this morning. I'm sorry it was a big thing they found, but every credit for listening to your horse.
 
So sorry to hear this hasn't ended in better news. But take comfort in believing in your judgement that something was NQR and not pushing him.

I hope he is feeling better today.
 
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