Fed up .. could I get LOU?

quirky

quirky

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My horse, who is 9, is not going right. He has been referred up to Leahurst for full lameness testing but they have said it is not severe enough to warrant further tests. My local vets are in agreement. The only recommended trearment was to put natural balance shoes on fronts and wedges in the backs. He has been shod twice since this recommendation and he is no better, neither is he worse. I think I have become de-sensitised to his way of going as he doesn't feel too bad all the time, just a few strides every now and then, which is how it all started. Having had my instructor look at him this week, she said she wouldn't like to say which leg he was now lame on, he looked uncomfortable all round. So, what started off as a problem mainly behind, has now affected the front.
Had my local vet up since Leahurst and new shoes and he says no diagnosis as such, just carry on doing flatwork with him until he either gets better, or breaks down completely and then they can do nerve blocks etc. He said it could take 6 months to a year for him to improve. I don't feel right riding him, I'd liken it to driving a car with a flat tyre, you just wouldn't want to do it!

So, my question to you, is could I get LOU on this scenario (I am insured for it)? My dilemma is, if I ride him for as long as the vet says with no improvement, I will be out of my insurance claim time limit and I woun't be able to get LOU. The vet has never mentioned LOU to me and I haven't specifically told him I am insured for it. Can I suggest it to my vet, or should it be the other way round?
 
No, you won't get LOU without a definitive diagnosis. I really don't see why they can't do blocks etc / x rays to find the problem. If the horse is lame, then it needs looking at. I would push them further to find out why they are unwilling. Who are you insured with?
 
You can't get it for loss of preformance - which in essence without a diagnosis is what this is. It may seem really harsh but working him as much as his fitness level will allow is the best option. Then the vets can make (hopefully!) a diagnosis - I had to do it, its heart breaking but in the long run for answers it really is worth it.
 
You tried a physio to check it is not back related? It could be he is in discomfort elsewhere which is showing as lameness. it certainly wouldn't hurt to get someone out to check him over.
 
IME Leahurst are hopeless for lameness. I had two vets at the same time tell me my horse was very slightly lame on one particular leg. Top vet came, said its lame on opposite leg and they both said "oh yes, thats actually what we thought."
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Then they all though it was improving, when horse was getting worse and more unhappy. Get a referral to the Animal Health Trust at Newmarket. Well worth travelling for, they'll find the problem and won't mess about writing it of if it is un-fixable. Get on with it though, you only have so long to claim LOU after investigations start. I'd never waste time with Leahurst for lameness again, although I think they've now got MRI, so maybe one day they'll catch up.
 
No, you wont get LOU as others have said without a conclusive diagnosis. I would seiously look at getting another specialist vet on the case also, or, ask your vets for a referal to newmarket - they cannot refuse this but you will need your insurance company's approval as well. Good luck though, oh and also remember that if you get close to your monetary claim limit you may not get LOU anyway!!!
 
I would insist the vets got you a diagnosis! The AHT are very good and will also ride the horse to get a feel for what the rider is experiencing. As a quick test you can also ask your vet for painkillers for three weeks and see what happens. If the problem disappears there is clearly pain somewhere and they need to look till they find it!
 
How random that they wont pursue it?

My vets are fab, but at the end of the day its making them money and they will happily pursue any avenue if i feel i am not happy!
 
To answer a few of your Q's. He has been on a high level of bute and came right, hence referral to Leahurst. This was originally for scintigraphy. When he went, they said he wasn't showing enough pain to warrant the procedure.
He has had physio and saddle checked and physio again, nothing found.
I have considered a second opinion but kind of thought if Leahurst can't find anything, will anybody else. If I go down this route, do I have to have it cleared by my insurance company? I'm insured with NFU nad so far they have not questioned or quibbled about anything, they've been fantatsic.
 
I'd be pushing for a diagnosis. If he is noticeably lame then he is showing enough pain to warrant investigation. Surely as you are paying the bills you have some say? Try another vets. My horse had scintigraphy when not truly lame and was diagnosed with hind suspensory problems. Had it not been for an early diagnosis the prognosis would have been far worse. Similarly he recently had an MRI despite being only 1/10 lame. You know your horse and whilst vets need to pinpoint an area to investigate if you can feel his unlevelness this should be enough to at least try to nerve block. I wouldn't be happy riding a lame horse. It's hardly fair asking a horse to work when it is trying to tell you it's not comfortable. I don't know where you're based but I've had great experiences with Liphook and AHT (referred to both through my vets).
 
I would keep at it and push the vets for more help. I had a horse recently who had lost form and was just not engaging and working as he should. It was all getting progressively worse, but there was no lameness, nerve blocks showed nothing, scintigraphy clear, regular teeth/saddle/back checked clear. Tried him on painkillers and he was a different horse, perfectly fine, so I pestered everyone to reconsider until we found out it was indeed the saddle (that had been looked at by saddler, physio and vet). It was pinching his spine in the middle of the gullet even though it was well fitted. So I wouldn't give up nor ride a lame horse without a proper plan of action from the vet.
 
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