Bad conformation and lameness

R

Reginafelange

New User
Joined
28 July 2025
Messages
8
Visit site
Hi new here although not new to horses. Just after advice and to have a rant. I bought a 3 year old mare almost 2 years ago, she is the most lovely, cuddly affectionate girl. She was a dream to back and took everything in her stride. However, she is seemingly unable to do anything other than straight lines without exploding and I think I’ve only had a handful of canters on her (and she broke my collarbone during one of them!) I’ve had my lameness expert vet out numerous times and he has voiced his concerns she is just not put together well and will struggle to stand up to much more than hacking. She is slightly back at the knee on one foreleg and straight through the hocks. In an effort to prove my vet wrong I had her back injected as 2 vertebrae were close but not touching. Better in trot but still explosive in canter. He’s just been back out and she has been diagnosed with psd in both hinds. Not a candidate for surgery (wouldn’t do it anyway) also not insured.
I asked him what he would honestly do and he said find a big field to retire her or have her pts.
I’m just mentally struggling with the thought of putting down such a lovable 5 year old. I’ve already got one retired 17 year old who she lives with, do I just pack in the idea of riding and have 2 pets? Do i wait for my wonderful 17 year old (lame on all 4) to call it a day and they go together? Retirement livery for the both of them is just too expensive. Experiences and ideas welcome
 
I know pts is the most likely outcome given I can’t afford another pet for 20 years but really just need to hear other people say it as I’m so emotionally invested and can’t seem to make a decision
 
I am very sorry you have had such bad luck with your new horse, it is a tragedy when they become so unwell or unsound at such a young age.

To be honest, if your older mare is lame on all four and the younger one is also in a very bad way I would seriously consider giving them both a few weeks left enjoying the sunshine out at grass and then have PTS before the winter sets in. I know you only asked about the younger one, but when exactly would you consider the right time for your older horse to call it a day? Generally they don't tell us when the time is right, that is part of our responsibility as owners, more often than not having to decide for them.

Whatever you decide I wish you luck and supportive vibes, it is never an easy decision whatever their age.
 
The older one is the most stoic little thing ever. She was running around very beautifully yesterday but then she was never ‘lame’! Turns out she had navicular, arthritis and psd. So yes it’s unlikely I know the true extent of the pain she is in, she was diagnosed and retired 2 years ago
 
Reginafelange said:
The older one is the most stoic little thing ever.
Click to expand...

I understand completely, I have had a couple of 'stoic' sorts and IME they are the very hardest to call time on, and almost always the ones that are left a day too late if one isn't very, very careful to be self aware enough to realise when we are only delaying the inevitable decision for our benefit not for theirs.☹️
 
I've got a 15yo unrideable pet and they cost as much - both finance, time & heart break - as any ridden horse. Plus the cost of drugs to keep them comfortable.

Its so, so hard when they're young. Would it make it any easier to get a 2nd opinion? Is it absolutely conformation or would postural rehab work be of any use?
 
SEL said:
I've got a 15yo unrideable pet and they cost as much - both finance, time & heart break - as any ridden horse. Plus the cost of drugs to keep them comfortable.

Its so, so hard when they're young. Would it make it any easier to get a 2nd opinion? Is it absolutely conformation or would postural rehab work be of any use?
Click to expand...
I love the bones off my older one and she has done so much for me I just feel I owe her this lovely long retirement 😭 how do we know how much pain they are in in the field? Yes it is conformational. I went through a lot of rehab for her ‘kissing spine’ thinking that would solve all the issues, only for her then to be diagnosed with psd. I feel if I looked further there would be more issues
 
I’ve got a 12 year old Welsh pony who I’ve had from 8! I bought her for £100 as she can’t be ridden. She is the best companion ever and seems happy in the field! I now have a 5 year old diagnosed with juvenile arthritis so her ridden career is unknown! So she could be a field ornament too🙈 I’ve also got a 23 year old who is still ridden! I’m lucky as have my own place so no livery costs! But as soon as any of mine aren’t comfortable in the field, I will make the right decision for them!
 
Reginafelange said:
I love the bones off my older one and she has done so much for me I just feel I owe her this lovely long retirement 😭 how do we know how much pain they are in in the field? Yes it is conformational. I went through a lot of rehab for her ‘kissing spine’ thinking that would solve all the issues, only for her then to be diagnosed with psd. I feel if I looked further there would be more issues
Click to expand...
If the horse is lame on four legs, the pain will be significant. Presumably it's managed with Bute daily.
 
If they are visibly lame they are unquestionably in pain. A prey animal isn't going to compromise its way of going/efficiency by choice without good reason

They can still be in pain without visible lameness though/something you can pinpoint on, then it's more likely to be multiple comorbid issues. In which case it's more like looking for changes in demeanor: out of character anxiety, spookiness or bad temper, not doing things they enjoy, tightness in their eye or muzzle, weight shifting, symptoms of sleep deprivation, muscle atrophy, moving markedly differently to how they used to 'before'... But it's really individual horse, their situation and condition(s) as well.

There's a very thorough ethogram of discomfort (not outright pain) in unridden animals available here.
Some horses are very stoic and others are not. Sadly it's very much a judgment call for us as owners and it's the most ghastly responsibility to have over a living being you can't just ask outright.

 
Last edited:
A very sad situation for you OP, please don't be swayed by a forum full of varying opinions.

Trust in the professionals looking after both horses and take their guidance. The cost of keeping horses this winter is going to rise significantly even if the winter is kind to us. Your vets will give you the best guidance for quality of life and if you doubt their guidance you could ask a different practice.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
If they are visibly lame they are unquestionably in pain. A prey animal isn't going to compromise its way of going/efficiency by choice without good reason

They can still be in pain without visible lameness though/something you can pinpoint on, then it's more likely to be multiple comorbid issues. In which case it's more like looking for changes in demeanor: out of character anxiety, spookiness or bad temper, not doing things they enjoy, tightness in their eye or muzzle, weight shifting, symptoms of sleep deprivation, muscle atrophy, moving markedly differently to how they used to 'before'... But it's really individual horse, their situation and condition(s) as well.

There's a very thorough ethogram of discomfort (not outright pain) in unridden animals available here.
Some horses are very stoic and others are not. Sadly it's very much a judgment call for us as owners and it's the most ghastly responsibility to have over a living being you can't just ask outright.

Click to expand...
thank you I will have a read through that. The problem with the older one is that she’s Spanish and they are notoriously hard to spot lameness on because they are tough as old boots 😂 the younger one is a heartbreaking one, as she does become very ‘depressed’ for want of a better word, when in work but turned out and not in any ridden work she is to my eye very field sound
 
AdorableAlice said:
A very sad situation for you OP, please don't be swayed by a forum full of varying opinions.

Trust in the professionals looking after both horses and take their guidance. The cost of keeping horses this winter is going to rise significantly even if the winter is kind to us. Your vets will give you the best guidance for quality of life and if you doubt their guidance you could ask a different practice.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Struggling with the morality of potentially putting down such a young beautiful horse when the problems only arise when ridden. Seems a very selfish outcome because she doesn’t have a job? But yes I simply can’t afford another pet hay prices almost crippled me last winter. I do trust in my vet he has given me a lot of solid advice in the past. Having only ever lost one in a freak field accident, this is the first time I’ve ever had to actually make this decision and I cannot sleep over it
 
So sorry to hear of your situation OP it's the hardest decision. I had to let my retired horse go last week, this spring/summers ground has been awful for his arthritis and he was visibly lame although on industrial amounts of bute but throughout he appeared to be happy & all his little behaviors continued, he was so stoic which made it an awful decision for me to take but I knew it was the right one for him. I hope you can come to terms with it all xx
 
I had a 6yo pts originally diagnosed with PSD, then determined to be DSLD. I was happy to retire him at 6 but once retired his hind legs deteriorated and his fetlocks dropped, when he was lame on a front leg also I PTS. Sadly he only got a few months in retirement. It's a few years ago now, but how awful it was at the time I haven't looked back and thought I made the wrong decision.

Give yourself some time to think it through and you will work out what's best for all of you. Consider the option of letting the older one go sooner and giving the younger one more time in a retirement situation.
 
Every case is different but I just want to butt in and say that even vets seldom understand how changeable "conformation" is when we address posture and movement patterns. Of course every horse is an individual in terms of good/bad conformation but KS and suspensories, as well as SI, hocks and front feet, are the most common, and interrelated issues resulting from poor movement patterns. And honestly, most horses have some form of compensation, some of which there's absolutely no fixing, but we just don't recognise truly healthy movement and when it may be possible to restore it, often focusing on pain and overt lameness when we work with vets and bodyworkers.

Straight through the hocks is a classic - improve the ability to decelerate behind, to use the pelvis correctly, and you often see straight hocks become a lot less straight, stifles too. And then even the cannon/pastern angle can also change.

Just context for your decisions...however, I'm also with those that would say PTS for both would not be the worst outcome.
 
SEL said:
I've got a 15yo unrideable pet and they cost as much - both finance, time & heart break - as any ridden horse. Plus the cost of drugs to keep them comfortable.

Its so, so hard when they're young. Would it make it any easier to get a 2nd opinion? Is it absolutely conformation or would postural rehab work be of any use?
Click to expand...
Yep agree. Lari is an expensive pet. He's only 15 so might have another 15 yrs to factor in costs.

I'd suggest a second opinion too.
 
Reginafelange said:
Thank you. Struggling with the morality of potentially putting down such a young beautiful horse when the problems only arise when ridden. Seems a very selfish outcome because she doesn’t have a job? But yes I simply can’t afford another pet hay prices almost crippled me last winter. I do trust in my vet he has given me a lot of solid advice in the past. Having only ever lost one in a freak field accident, this is the first time I’ve ever had to actually make this decision and I cannot sleep over it
Click to expand...
Look at it differently, it is far from selfish or low morality to make the decision to ensure the young horse is safe and free from pain, it is actually highly responsible, caring and kind. There are plenty of people that would sell on rather than do the right thing and plenty of people who will attempt to loan the horse or give away in the naive hope that the horse will be looked after, when in reality it will likely suffer.

You need to be proud that you can and will make the right decision for the horse.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Look at it differently, it is far from selfish or low morality to make the decision to ensure the young horse is safe and free from pain, it is actually highly responsible, caring and kind. There are plenty of people that would sell on rather than do the right thing and plenty of people who will attempt to loan the horse or give away in the naive hope that the horse will be looked after, when in reality it will likely suffer.

You need to be proud that you can and will make the right decision for the horse.
Click to expand...
Thank you. She would indeed be very easy to give a couple of Bute and pass along but I’d sooner sell my husband than do such a thing. I think I will have to turn them both out and reassess both of them before the winter really starts
 
Reginafelange said:
Thank you. She would indeed be very easy to give a couple of Bute and pass along but I’d sooner sell my husband than do such a thing. I think I will have to turn them both out and reassess both of them before the winter really starts
Click to expand...
Don't get turning your husband out or selling him, husbands make excellent mucker outers !! Very best wishes with whatever you decide, none of us can second guess the weather/winter that is on its way.
 
sbloom said:
Every case is different but I just want to butt in and say that even vets seldom understand how changeable "conformation" is when we address posture and movement patterns. Of course every horse is an individual in terms of good/bad conformation but KS and suspensories, as well as SI, hocks and front feet, are the most common, and interrelated issues resulting from poor movement patterns. And honestly, most horses have some form of compensation, some of which there's absolutely no fixing, but we just don't recognise truly healthy movement and when it may be possible to restore it, often focusing on pain and overt lameness when we work with vets and bodyworkers.

Straight through the hocks is a classic - improve the ability to decelerate behind, to use the pelvis correctly, and you often see straight hocks become a lot less straight, stifles too. And then even the cannon/pastern angle can also change.

Just context for your decisions...however, I'm also with those that would say PTS for both would not be the worst outcome.
Click to expand...
I would agree, but she is also unfortunately behind at the knee in one leg. I thought I had somewhat ‘fixed’ the issue behind for a short while until she then went lame with 3 foreleg splints at once. Can of worms I expect if I were to really look top to bottom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top