Bute

A

Annagain

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 December 2008
Messages
16,123
Visit site
Some of you may remember I posted some photo sequences of my boy jumping very oddly a few weeks ago and asked for your thoughts. He's also been a bit grumpy and bolshy for about two months but often is on spring grass. Anyway, after a jumping lesson on Friday, where he was ok but not up to his usual standard he was lame on Saturday morning. Not hopping, but more than a bit.

Vet came, couldn't find any lumps or bumps, nothing in the foot and flexion tests made no difference so unlikely to be a joint issue. Prescribed bute and ten days field rest to see how he is.

Since he's been on the bute he's been soooo chilled and seems genuinely pleased to see me for the first time in ages. He comes trotting to me as soon as I call him - he always did this but recently I've been having to go to get him and he also bit me quite nastily when I put his headcollar on once (he's never done this before) when I got him up from lying down for a lesson. Again I put this down to not wanting to leave a field full of nice grass and being grumpy that I woke him up (I've never had to get him up before).

When he comes trotting up to me he also looks to be moving the best he's moved for a long time, really loose and free throughout his whole body - although admittedly this is in a straight line in a nice big open field with nobody on his back. I think the bute is treating more than just the lameness, which I'm convinced is just a knock.

Problem is, how do I go about working out what and where the problem is if he's not really showing any signs other than being a bit grumpy and a bit of general stiffness (he's never the most supple of horses). If he hadn't been given the bute for the lameness I wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong, but seeing the difference in him now I'm sure there's something else going on. Any ideas what it could be? Back had routine check in March, no problems.
 
What about the other usual suspects - tack, teeth etc??

Does he get a good variety in his work?

Don't know what else to suggest but hope you get it sorted.
 
Yup, all checks up to date, and plenty of variety. Usually hacking (which he loves) 2-3 days a week, lunging/schooling (which he hates but tolerates!) twice a week, and jumping (which he seems to enjoy but isn't the easiest) once a week. If there's a competition at the weekend one of the hacks goes and he'll jump twice a week instead. Also has plenty of variety in hacking, from woods to open countryside and the beach. This is the only thing he seems to still be totally happy doing.

He's been putting the odd stop in with the jumping (not unheard of, but unusual these days) and pulling my arms out of their sockets. He's always been strong but had been coming along so well and stopped pulling. We had out best competition ever in March when he stayed so chilled and did two double clears for the first time ever - didn't hit a pole all day - but it's gone downhill ever since then. The flatwork is never great but he has been particularly belligerent about it recently.
 
I would still be suspicious there is maybe a back issue to be honest. If he's putting in stops and it's unusual plus if he's pullig it would indicate some pain/discomfort somewhere.

My horse went through similar although not grumpy as such, just not his normal forward-going self and being disunited after landing when jumping BUT pulling me into fences and rushing a bit.

We have a great McTimoney guy and ever since he's had treatments there has been a marked improvement. He isn't the most fluid mover - he never has been - but now, at 18 he's jumping very well again and just seems a lot happier about things generally.

The only suggestion therefore is maybe trying another back person or just getting your usual one back to re-check? Sometimes opinions differ and sometimes certain treatments relieve a problem for a while but don't actually get to the root of it.
 
I was thinking of doing that, any idea what to do about insurance? Do you have to get permission before doing something like that or can you just claim for it, even if there's nothing wrong in the end?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking of doing that, any idea what to do about insurance? Do you have to get permission before doing something like that or can you just claim for it, even if there's nothing wrong in the end?

[/ QUOTE ]

Call your insurers and ask them what the process would be. It's normally that they'll send out a claim form, then you and your vet/s fill it in. Depending on your vet's capabilitie, he/she may refer to a specalist centre. I always have the insurance pay the vets direct.
 
I've had near enough the exact same problem!

Although my horse is permanantly grumpy lol!!!

He isn't unsound as such just not right. Not quite tracking up and rushing his fences whereas he normally is a dream to jump.

He's been to the vets three times now. We have tried gentle work. Box rest and are now trying shockwave therapy. The back woman said he was in too much pain to treat at the moment and they suspect a torn ligament behind his saddle. So I would definately have both the vet and the back person work together to have a look and see what's wrong.

My boy is also on bute at the moment and long reining in straight lines as well as the shock wave therapy and seems much better in his movement

xx
 
My horse was lame and he didn't react to flexion tests etc. This was a couple of years ago now. He had a body scan (I think) and then specific x-rays on the hot areas and it turned out he has arthiritic problems in his fetlock (he was only 7
frown.gif
)

I think you need to speak to your vet again or ask for a referral.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top