AShetlandBitMeOnce
Well-Known Member
Sorry in advance that this is a long one. Feels like the universe is taking every opportunity to dump on my horse owning!
I’ve been in pain a long time, was told a couple of months ago that this is due to arthritis in my hip. However I found out today that I actually have an abnormal pelvis, it’s rotated top forward and bottom towards my bum, which means that hip is sitting incorrectly in the joint and the abrasion on my hip has caused a bony lump on the ball joint surface (arthritic basically).
Due to the pelvis abnormality, this will not ever change. The secondary option is a total hip replacement whereas the first ‘best’ case is a realignment of the whole hip joint (this is what the surgeon said is his preference to retain the bone for as long as possible) - breaking my pelvis in 3 places, realigning, resurfacing the ball joint and reattaching. This will last 15-20 years then I’ll have to have a replacement anyway - it’s a 3-6 month recovery and I’ll be send to a specialist in London for it.
The main thing I am stressed about, that no one who isn’t horsey will understand, is what to do with the horse. He has huge paces and I’m worried about whether I will ever regain riding fitness enough to be able to ride him. He isn’t completely easy either and wouldn’t be all that safe to regain riding fitness on. Selling him isn’t an option I would consider I don’t think, he’s my dream horse and I haven’t had a chance to have my time with him yet.
I could full livery him at a trusted yard for 6 months or longer, but is roughing off such a big horse for that period of time at 10yo a dangerous option in terms of his health and coming back into work? I’m not sure that without full pay from work I could afford a pro to exercise him regularly, although it’s an option I could save for. He could live out but would need bringing in for feeding as does drop off over winter.
I’m grateful for any input/thoughts anyone may have.
I’ve been in pain a long time, was told a couple of months ago that this is due to arthritis in my hip. However I found out today that I actually have an abnormal pelvis, it’s rotated top forward and bottom towards my bum, which means that hip is sitting incorrectly in the joint and the abrasion on my hip has caused a bony lump on the ball joint surface (arthritic basically).
Due to the pelvis abnormality, this will not ever change. The secondary option is a total hip replacement whereas the first ‘best’ case is a realignment of the whole hip joint (this is what the surgeon said is his preference to retain the bone for as long as possible) - breaking my pelvis in 3 places, realigning, resurfacing the ball joint and reattaching. This will last 15-20 years then I’ll have to have a replacement anyway - it’s a 3-6 month recovery and I’ll be send to a specialist in London for it.
The main thing I am stressed about, that no one who isn’t horsey will understand, is what to do with the horse. He has huge paces and I’m worried about whether I will ever regain riding fitness enough to be able to ride him. He isn’t completely easy either and wouldn’t be all that safe to regain riding fitness on. Selling him isn’t an option I would consider I don’t think, he’s my dream horse and I haven’t had a chance to have my time with him yet.
I could full livery him at a trusted yard for 6 months or longer, but is roughing off such a big horse for that period of time at 10yo a dangerous option in terms of his health and coming back into work? I’m not sure that without full pay from work I could afford a pro to exercise him regularly, although it’s an option I could save for. He could live out but would need bringing in for feeding as does drop off over winter.
I’m grateful for any input/thoughts anyone may have.