happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your kind words. Many things are pointing toward a brain/neuro issue, which would explain the unpredictability. thank you so much x
Dangerous / aggressive horse - advice needed?!
- Thread starter happyhorse978
- Start date
Zoeypxo
Well-Known Member
how is he doing now OP?
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Hello, Thankyou for asking! He’s still the same really bless him, he’s been acting a bit neurological with an abnormal gait when walking down a slope (we have to walk down a slope to bring in from field). He’s had bloods done which were all normal. Vet is doing a neurological exam and neck X-rays this week, but I have a feeling I know the answer. So will need to make an informed decision after that
dreading it totally but have to think what is the best for my boy. Will keep you all posted xx
Cherryblossom
Well-Known Member
I think this thread shows two things: you can throw endless money at this problem because the possible causes are endless, but in almost all cases, there’s not a happy ending for these horses.
You’re clearly a wonderful caring owner, you’ve tried so much and are really listening to your horse. He has no sense of the future or his lost potential, and I think it would be the final kindness to free him from whatever pain is causing a horse who is clearly lovely at baseline to behave so horrendously.
You’re clearly a wonderful caring owner, you’ve tried so much and are really listening to your horse. He has no sense of the future or his lost potential, and I think it would be the final kindness to free him from whatever pain is causing a horse who is clearly lovely at baseline to behave so horrendously.
pinkfluffy
Well-Known Member
Hello, Thankyou for asking! He’s still the same really bless him, he’s been acting a bit neurological with an abnormal gait when walking down a slope (we have to walk down a slope to bring in from field). He’s had bloods done which were all normal. Vet is doing a neurological exam and neck X-rays this week, but I have a feeling I know the answer. So will need to make an informed decision after that
Firstly, you've been doing an amazing job and whatever the outcome, you've done the very best for both of you.
I haven't read everything (sorry) but nerve pain / trapped nerve? somewhere? Damage to a disc? My horse hurt his cervical spine and developed an abnormal gait which eventually became turning in circles till he got dizzy and fell over. I thought he had something brain related, was very confused and scared, had quite a personality change. I think the vet said there was some compression in his spine. I think you mentioned he didn't like rugs? It could be too much weight somewhere, pressing on something. Being touched triggers some nerve pain?... I'm just trying to think of things now, sorry if you've already said its not nerve pain.
You sound like a fantastic owner who is doing, and has done, all they can for their horse. Sending hope and hugs to you both.
Getbackboys
Well-Known Member
You sound wonderful and caring, but coming from a racing yard with injuries and difficult horses we turn away sometimes for a year to let nature heal. Has he been turned away since his racing days. Put him out 24/7 unrugged lots of hay and let him be a horse and heal, then re evaluate in spring time. Racing takes its toll on them. Even wobblers get turned out to heal and re evaluate
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I'm sorry GBG but I have to qualify this advice. If I had turned my wobbler away for the winter on a slippery field he would have been a welfare issue. If the wobblers is caused by spinal impingement, the prognosis is extremely poor and it would not be fair, ime, to keep this horse alive.
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BBP
Well-Known Member
Just a few thoughts, having seen you say acting mildly neuro. You said you have had bloods done, but I wonder if they did a standard profile or more advanced? My little horse had some mild neuro symptoms and significant weakness (struggling to get up) and bites a lot out of pain related anxiety, not in an aggressive way, he just cannot bare being touched. I think his nervous system is tied in knots. Having had a neurological infection myself a few years ago where even the lightest touch on my skin was like the pain of electric shocks I imagine it being a bit like that, I also had brutal headaches constantly, every second of the day, that made me feel insane. I was also brain foggy and disoriented). For him, the neuro stuff has been massively helped by high levels of vitamin E, so we now believe he suffers from vitamin E deficiency myopathy. This wasn’t picked up by a standard blood test, so I think my point is it might be worth asking for al the bloods under the sun including all the essential vitamins and minerals.Hello, Thankyou for asking! He’s still the same really bless him, he’s been acting a bit neurological with an abnormal gait when walking down a slope (we have to walk down a slope to bring in from field). He’s had bloods done which were all normal. Vet is doing a neurological exam and neck X-rays this week, but I have a feeling I know the answer. So will need to make an informed decision after that
With my neurological illness I couldn’t get help on the NHS so ended up getting a full blood profile run privately and supplementing based on that. From what I remember low levels of zinc and iron and vitamin B12 and D can all have a big impact on brain chemistry. It took about a year to resolve my issues through supplementation. I now absolutely don’t underestimate how bad neuro issues can be, but have hope that some can be helped.
For my little horse I am planning to get the vet back out and run a full blood profile to see if there is anything I can add/take away to help his nervous system function. Might be one last thing to do when he is in for his X-rays?
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you for being so kind xx
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
thank you so much for the ideas. That does all sound very possible! But we are very limited with what we can investigate, he can no longer balance to be travelled so cannot travel to the clinic for investigations, so its just what we can assess at the yard. I guess the strong resentment of the rug etc could definitely be to do with it putting pressure on a nerve etc, thankyou for your ideas! Xxx
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you. He was turned away for five months during the summer when i had him out of racing and then he has had the past 12 months turned away as i cant do anything with him. It makes no difference unfortunately
If it is wobblers i would do the right thing in this situation and pts, its only going to get worse and we are in a mess as it is
xhappyhorse978
Well-Known Member
I have to agree, if its a poor prognosis and theres trouble already (which there is!) then i think the kindest thing to do is pts so he/they are no longer in pain/suffering x
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you so much, that is so helpful thank you x
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
You are the best of owners, I just hope you get a definite answer this week that makes the way forward clear even if it will hurt you dreadfully.
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PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
I hope you get some answers however horrible it might be at least you will know and do the right thing by him please let us know how it goes x
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you so much you are so kind xx
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
thank you so much i will keep you all posted. thank you all for your help xx
Gallop_Away
Well-Known Member
I have nothing further to add to the advice that has already been given.
I just wanted to say that you sound like the most wonderful caring owner. You have done everything possible for this horse, where many would have given up long ago (understandably so). Whatever the outcome, please know that you have done everything you could for this poor boy and that he is lucky to have found you as an owner. I hope that the way forward becomes clear for you, and however heartbreaking it may be, know that you have done your best for this horse, in every way possible.
I just wanted to say that you sound like the most wonderful caring owner. You have done everything possible for this horse, where many would have given up long ago (understandably so). Whatever the outcome, please know that you have done everything you could for this poor boy and that he is lucky to have found you as an owner. I hope that the way forward becomes clear for you, and however heartbreaking it may be, know that you have done your best for this horse, in every way possible.
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you SO much, that is so lovely to hear. I really appreciate your kindness x x
Merrymoles
Well-Known Member
I have nothing useful to add but am sending you a big virtual hug for being the type of owner that all owners should be. Thinking of you.
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you so much that is so very kind x
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
HI all,
Just a quick update as you've been so kind.
My horse had his neck x-rays on friday which showed arthritis and bony remodelling around C5 area in the neck.
Hes currently not comfortable so back on Danilon just to hopefully help take the edge off.
Vet meant to be calling me back today to discuss x-ray findings more in detail so will wait to see what the outcome of that is, but this all isnt fair on him, he's in pain on Danilon just walking to the field every day bless him and visibly doesnt want to be touched bless him, its no quality of life for him and if the Danilon only numbs the pain slightly for him then it must be pretty severe/significant so think I will have to make that call, but will keep you updated. Thank you for your advice and support xxx
Just a quick update as you've been so kind.
My horse had his neck x-rays on friday which showed arthritis and bony remodelling around C5 area in the neck.
Hes currently not comfortable so back on Danilon just to hopefully help take the edge off.
Vet meant to be calling me back today to discuss x-ray findings more in detail so will wait to see what the outcome of that is, but this all isnt fair on him, he's in pain on Danilon just walking to the field every day bless him and visibly doesnt want to be touched bless him, its no quality of life for him and if the Danilon only numbs the pain slightly for him then it must be pretty severe/significant so think I will have to make that call, but will keep you updated. Thank you for your advice and support xxx
Annagain
Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry. Even when it's just confirming what you already know it's a horrible shock. You have done everything you possibly can for him. I hope you can take some comfort from knowing that.
motherof2beasts!
Well-Known Member
Oh how sad , you were right all along. It’s so hard making that decision but will be the right one, neck arthritis is debilitating
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you so much. I am still struggling to get my head around it but I've got to now. He must be in agony. When he walks he doesnt do the normal 'head bob' or swinging walk, he just holds his head and neck stiff
The vet said if those findings came up on a middle aged or 20 year old horses x-rays she wouldnt be overly concerned, as it can be slightly more expected, but he is only 7 so that is the concerning factor and its only going to get worse. She thinks its probably an old racing injury/fall. There are no falls on his record but he could have had one whilst training at home.
My poor boy
xxxhappyhorse978
Well-Known Member
Thank you , i have never experienced arthrtis in a horse before but i imagine it is so painful , especially in the neck which affects them 24/7!! xxx
happyhorse978
Well-Known Member
I cant imagine my life without him, it's scaring me to make that decision, but I've got to as he must be in so much pain and if he is only 7 now, its only going to get worse
MissTyc
Well-Known Member
So much sympathy to you. The winter will only get harder, colder, more slippery now, so I think it's time to let him go. Give him however long you need on a high dose of bute and rest assured that you investigated what you could, and indeed identified some causation ... but there might be a lot more going on with this old injury that cannot be seen on X-ray. Life without them ... Gosh it's awful. They leave a big empty hole, but it does get easier with time. Lots of time. And knowing you don't ever have to see him in pain again and won't find him one day having hurt himself more or deteriorated at which point it all becomes an emergency that is harder to live with.
HeyMich
Well-Known Member
I cant imagine my life without him, it's scaring me to make that decision, but I've got to as he must be in so much pain and if he is only 7 now, its only going to get worse
Yes, I totally understand how you are feeling. It's not easy. We, as kind horse owners, are so lucky and privelaged to be in a position to be able to stop their pain. You will feel sad for the life that you could have had together, but that is not now a possibility. You will also feel huge relief when the decision has been made. Sending virutal hugs and best wishes
x
rextherobber
Well-Known Member
So very sorry to hear this, there are somethings we just can't fix.