Cortistoriod injections?

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LegOn

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My 13 year old horse hasn't been quite feeling himself & after 6 months of doing the usual saddle checks, dentist & dentist 2nd opinions, many bodywork sessions & all the general checks including bit & bridle checks & my trainer taking him for a few weeks & many lessons... I brought him to the vet. It's only a minor issue but he is stuck on the right contact & cannot release no matter what you try.

So after full assessment they said he was very sound but noted his SI was tight on clinical presentation. They recommended SI injections but also a back xray... on xray there was 'closed vertebrae but nothing to indicate any issues. So they injected the SI & said in 2 weeks if there was no improvement to bring him back & they would inject the vertebrae.

I've waited 4 weeks - had bodywork repeated & more lessons - he feels good but still cannot release the right contact. I'm bringing him back to the vet next week but I'm getting alot of backlash from friends saying there is nothing wrong with him - he looks great etc but I know the original issue isn't gone.

A few people have mentioned the risk of laminitis but I don't think he is a high risk if the vet recommended injecting after 2 🤷‍♀

What is everyone's experiences with injecting again 4 weeks or more after the first one? Did you regret it -did it cause any laminitis issues or anything??

I feel the veterinary is so important alongside anything complementary so I feel like I'm following vets advise but am I wrong to inject him again 🤔
 
I'd be wanting to look at movement patterns too, not saying not to inject again but we forget that injections are said by many to cause long term deterioration of the joint, so my personal thought is that we shouldn't use them prophylactically, and should be cautious about your kind of situation too.

Have a look at resources such as equitopiacenter.com, and my recommendation on Facebook, the Slow Walk Work group (see their featured posts, and perhaps post for advice in the group) to get the full context - see what is going on in the body in terms of posture and straightness, and consider using bodywork (and maybe using a bodyworker who really looks at posture, we may be able to recommend if you post your location) and groundwork at least alongside the injections.

Cracking on with the work you were doing before, after injections, can't address the reasons he might have got the injury in the first place, and groundwork etc helps us address those issues. According to Horses Inside Out (I quote Gillian Higgins from my saddle fit training with her) - "the vast majority of injuries to horses are the result of repetitive strain" which is all about unhealthy movement patterns. Even the usual fittening/strengthening work that is in most rehab plans doesn't address this. We need to see injections as a window of opportunity, where the horse should be pain free, and we can make those changes to the way they move.
 
My EMS mare had to have steroids this winter (for a stomach issue) and she got through a low dose of oral steroids by being prescribed Invokana (essentially a diabetes drug). I would speak to your vet about it if you're worried about the risk.
 
Thanks a mill - I get alot of different types of bodywork with him regularly including Amatsu, Osteo, physio & massage - I do alot of groundwork with him and work him inhand over poles & was praised by the vets for his flexibility & muscle tone - its also not an injury, its just conformational or from the strain of everyday work. I always vary his workload so they have said to continue to keep it varied. I've read Gillian's book actually aswell & I've training in equine massage for horse owners!!! I do my best by him & I know the more we know the more we can do!

But thanks all - I had an additional ridden assessment with the vet & another vet assess also & discussed the risks but he was at the lowest end of the scale & after 2 weeks the risk of reinjecting reduces massively so I'm at 4 weeks out from the original injection they said its at the same level as the initial injection and as I did with the first injection - just be mindful of the risks. Fingers crossed now for the desired outcome!
 
Sounds great, just be aware that often polework, hillwork, backing up hills etc is actually too much for a horse, and we need to start at an even more fundamental level. It's the difference between working into range of motion, and working within it in order to stabilise the horse. do have a look at the group, and at the resources on equitopiacenter.com on topline, posture etc. And to me strain=injury and conformation so often=posture (though conformational issues can obviously make healthy posture more challenging) :).
 
Gut OK? One of mine has suspected worm damage and if her gut plays up then she comes across as very stuck on the right too. These days she'll usually bounce back quickly with more hay than grass (but fine hay anything straw like makes her worse), peppermint & calcium carbonate.
 
Interesting - no obvious gut issues, worm counts all good & up to date - what do you notice when gut is playing up alongside the right hand sideness - I could scope him alright either, definitely something I could keep in mind. Or try him on a gut supplement to see if it makes a difference 👍 thanks for the reply - good to know 👍
 
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