Don’t know what to do?

[Kirstd33]

It’s a bit of a long one I’m afraid so bear with! I bought 16yr old coblet last June as a middle aged happy hacker (me and him!) to get out with my daughter on her share pony. He was admittedly a bin end pony with lots of quirks but he fitted the bill, and being a cob was supposed to be relatively low maintenance. We sorted lots out, eg back, teeth, feet, tack etc and We were hacking happily until Feb when he started to get backwards, unhappy both ridden and generally and I got the vet out for a performance review. Flexions, X-rays, US followed and he was diagnosed with damage to hind legs annular ligaments and had the bilateral desmotomy surgery in early May. I’ve followed the vets rehab plans to the letter, with box rest, small paddock turnout, twice daily walking (6am and 6pm either side of FT job) and I’ve been back on hacking at work with increasing mins of trot for about 6 weeks now as advised. Vet has been out every fortnight to check progress and advise next steps. Slight complication in as much as coblet has been displaying symptoms of ulcers so vet happy not to scope and I’ve started treatment for those last week. He’s still not a 100% happy pony in general (ears back a lot and grumpy face) and trotting produces giraffe neck, short choppy stride and the last week I’ve ridden him in a large field and once warmed up have asked for trot with explosive results. Today he broncked for a good while, then dropped a shoulder etc and whilst I stayed on it wasn’t enjoyable at all as I’m 45 and don’t bounce like I used to. I love this pony and really have don’t my very best and will continue to but I’m now not enjoying this at all. He’s at a DIY livery so I don’t need to tell you lot the hard work involved, on top of my FT job (in a School so back in a fortnight) and also 3 kids. To make matters worse the share pony my daughter has ridden for 2 years suffered colic last week and after a traumatic 12 hrs had to be put to sleep.
I don’t know what to do now, the vet has been happy with his progress and just keeps increasing his work load but hasn’t seen him under saddle. He’s due out again in a fortnight so I’m going to ask him to see him ridden as it’s quite a different picture.

Really at my wits end now, so any advice much appreciated?

 

[dorsetladette]

sorry to hear your going through this.

I'd give the vet a call and explain what you have above. Something is obviously no quite right and it would be better to do something now than wait two weeks.

Just a thought - with the time off he has had has he put on any weight or changed shape? is his saddle pinching at all?

 

[meleeka]

I think it's worth looking at his saddle and back too. If he's had a GA he may well have soreness somewhere or his saddle may not fit as well as it did when he was in full work. Mine had AL surgery and I had a bodyworker out a few weeks later as part of my investigations as to why he was still lame. The difference before and after was incredible, so I can only assume the surgery was the cause.

I think it's a myth that cobs are hardy. Mine definitely wasn't. He had problems with his legs and back throughout his life.

 

[Zoeypxo]

If its possible it may be a good idea to video how he is riding and send it to your vet.

A week is not a long time on ulcer meds if he has ulcers, usually a month or so to see a real improvement.
Saddle check and a good physio appointment would also help

 

[Kirstd33]

Thanks all for the advice so far, I called the vet this morning to see if he could come out this week before we go on hols for a week. He can’t so we’re stuck with the appt on the 4th September but daughter is going to film me riding him tomorrow for us to send across. Then we go on hols so he’ll be turned out for a week but YO is going to feed him and give him his treatment whilst we’re away. I’m going to book the saddler and physio as advised also for the week we’re home. Just have this impending sense of doom that he’s got more going on and he’s not going to come right. How long would you all give it before calling it a day. I can’t afford to keep him umrissen on livery but would find him a lovely companion home if he’s field sound.

 

[I'm Dun]

Has he had a PSSM test? Its absolutely rife in cobs and could be contributing hugely to his issues

 

[Zoeypxo]

Thanks all for the advice so far, I called the vet this morning to see if he could come out this week before we go on hols for a week. He can’t so we’re stuck with the appt on the 4th September but daughter is going to film me riding him tomorrow for us to send across. Then we go on hols so he’ll be turned out for a week but YO is going to feed him and give him his treatment whilst we’re away. I’m going to book the saddler and physio as advised also for the week we’re home. Just have this impending sense of doom that he’s got more going on and he’s not going to come right. How long would you all give it before calling it a day. I can’t afford to keep him umrissen on livery but would find him a lovely companion home if he’s field sound.

Id give it a minimum of a month on the ulcer medication. What medication are you using? Ive found Sucralfate and omeprazole far better than omeprazole on its own for my horse.

If he only had surgery in May that wasnt that long ago either, see what your vet says at your next visit

 

[McGrools]

I personally wouldn’t prolong treatment for a 16 yr old cob. In my experience they don’t age well and arthritis is rife. I know are fair few who are medicated and only up to very steady plodding. Sorry to be blunt but I would cut losses xx

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't ride while a horse while they are on ulcer medication especially after a week the ulcers will still be present.

I would just leave him until you know the ulcers are healed then look how he is.