Feeling Hopeless

[elliesweet]

Hi Guys,

I really feel like i am loosing the will to live. about 7 months ago i bought a TB mare very athletic build was in fairly good condition but could have used a little more weight. Then I went on holiday and came back to find she had mega dropped weight very sunken in flank and protruding spine and tail bone. Since then it has just been an uphill battle, she has had the the relevant checks done like teeth and back an although she has bad hips (something only keeping her nice and fit will help).I have moved yard where there is better grass and very peaceful she has picked up a fair amount of weight and muscle but her spine is still protruding and to me her back end just looks poor. I am currently feeding Pink Mash,rice bran oil and conditioning Chaff but feel like I am getting no where.

Does anyone know why she wont pick up in her back end. she is on supplement for ulcers and has a constant supply of Hay. My main worry is winter is fast approaching and she has no reserve. Should i stop ridding her to help her fatten up?

I feel like such a bad mum and just dont know what to do!

 

[D66]

what does your vet say?

 

[Leo Walker]

Pain can make horses lose weight very quickly, and you mention a bad hip. I'd be looking into this further.

Has she been scoped for ulcers? What do bloods show?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

what does your vet say?

This.
Def speak to vet, get a MOT done, bloods taken if necessary.

 

[elliesweet]

I have vets coming out next week to do bloods. She had the chiropractor last month who said she is a very strong horse but she fractured her hip when racing she has a very glossy coat and is always happy in herself it’s just this last push we can’t seem to get through.

 

[elliesweet]

 

[elliesweet]

 

[elliesweet]

 

[elliesweet]

 

[elliesweet]

This is the difference since the beginning of April

 

[Midlifecrisis]

What worm burden is she carrying if any? What are the actual quantities of feed given? The vets will advise regarding your worries...proper work will build and fill out muscles.

 

[elliesweet]

What worm burden is she carrying if any? What are the actual quantities of feed given? The vets will advise regarding your worries...proper work will build and fill out muscles.

All good on the worm front and she has a scoop of Pink Mash just over a scoop of chaff and a good glug of rice bran oil twice a day. as well as her ulcer supplement. Its hard to know whether to work her or let her have time off to gain more weight that can then be turned into fat.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Are you on facebook?
If so take a look at "the Osteopahtic Vet"
He posted an extremely interesting article recently - I have copied below but you need to go on there to look at the photos as well

A TOO COMMON SIGHT.......
Could this be creating many of the hock and suspensory issues in your horses???
This is something that I see time and time again. It is all too common to the point that people seem to consider it normal.
It is COMMON but NOT CORRECT!!!
The lumbar-sacral region and hind limb of this grey horse typifies this chronic, unbalanced/strained shape.
The images show:
1) a raised (flexed) first few lumbars
2) a dipping (extended) last few lumbars and dropping (ventral) sacrum
3) a decrease in quadriceps and gluteal muscles
4) an increase in tone and size of hamstrings
There are a lot of reasons for this shape and we may well discuss it in greater depth another time but it can include:
▪︎ Local issues ie diaphragm tension, hind gut problems, ovarian/castration issues, conformation problems, injuries, repetitive strain from incorrect work etc
▪︎ Distant issues ie poll tension, neck injuries, dental balance etc
▪︎ External issues ie saddle fit, bit and bridle fit, farriery/trimming etc.
The main point of this post was to highlight how incorrect balance of the muscles of the hindlimbs put an abnormal strain on the joints further down the limb (including stifles but mainly hocks, fetlocks and coffins).
☆☆☆☆☆It is important to remember that muscles stop above the hock.☆☆☆☆☆ Therefore travelling over and attaching to the hock and joints below are tendons from the muscles higher up the leg. So, incorrect balance of hindlimb muscles at the top of the leg can create incorrect/imbalanced strain on these lower joints such as hocks and therefore also including the suspensory apparatus. Just like long puppet strings.
So not having a good, balanced, peachy butt will mean that there is not an equal pull on the tendons (puppet strings) and so it creates abnormal limb strain.
Over time this will likely lead to joint and soft tissue (ligament and tendon) problems such as arthritis and desmitis.
Therefore...should we not be concentrating on balancing the body to reduced abnormal strain rather than operating on a tendon or racing to medicate a joint that could be secondary to an issue elsewhere (ie higher up the leg/pelvis etc)???!!!
Food for thought.......

 

[ester]

The LS stuff that looks to be going on in your pics is what flagged to me too.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Here's the photos from The Osteo Vet in case you don't do facebook.

 

[elliesweet]

The LS stuff that looks to be going on in your pics is what flagged to me too.

sorry being Dim what do you mean but LS Please?

 

[bubsqueaks]

Lumber Sacral region

 

[elliesweet]

Lumber Sacral region

Thank you, I had Ken Skinner out a month ago and he said that she had the old fracture and the other hip was slightly turned inwards to compensate but other than that was fine apart from being slightly tight in the poll due to bad balance. just not sure where to go from here.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Obviously your vet is coming next week which is good.
Have you checked saddle?
My boy had this sunken flank issue & it was stomach ulcers & hind gut so would definitely given an ex-racehorse & change of home be scoping.
Try not to worry (easier said than done!) you are doing everything you can for her.

 

[Leo Walker]

I'd be inclined to get Tom Beech out as well. Hes the vet of The Osteopathic Vet. There is definitely something off with her. Hes very good with ulcers as well so could advise on those. I've used him and 100% recommend him to anyone.

 

[NinjaPony]

Great advice above re vet- it’s surprising how much they can change shape when they are in pain and compensating. On a feed level, have you thought about putting her on haylage? It’s more nutritious and tasty than hay so can help horses that need more condition, if you are concerned about ulcers then try a high fibre haylage mix. Soaked grass nuts are also good for putting condition on.

 

[elliesweet]

I'd be inclined to get Tom Beech out as well. Hes the vet of The Osteopathic Vet. There is definitely something off with her. Hes very good with ulcers as well so could advise on those. I've used him and 100% recommend him to anyone.

Thank you I have just emailed him,hopefully he covers my area!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Literally my boy did the same a couple of years ago!!! It was horrific!! I found out he had an allergy! To soya.. no alfalfa, no molasses ..

Changed within 2 weeks back to better than before

 

[Bellaboo18]

When did you move yards? From the pictures the grazing does look very poor, I'd expect my exracer to look underweight on it.

How come she's on an ulcer supplement? If you suspect gastric ulcers they'll need treating with a prescription, a supplement won't cure them.

Feed wise, can she have 3 small feeds a day?
Small feeds are better as larger feeds get 'pushed' through the system too quickly. I find micronised linseed really good for weight gain.
Was she wormed when she moved yards?

 

[elliesweet]

When did you move yards? From the pictures the grazing does look very poor, I'd expect my exracer to look underweight on it.

How come she's on an ulcer supplement? If you suspect gastric ulcers they'll need treating with a prescription, a supplement won't cure them.

Feed wise, can she have 3 small feeds a day?
Small feeds are better as larger feeds get 'pushed' through the system too quickly. I find micronised linseed really good for weight gain.
Was she wormed when she moved yards?

She was treated for Ulcers about a year ago and this was the supplement i was told worked best for her when i bought her. She was wormed when she moved and the grazing is really good where they are (that field was nearly knee height when they went on there just waiting for fencing to be done on there next field and while they wait they have a round bale of hay to each to their hearts content. with the feeds i work full time so cant give 3 feeds unfortunately.

 

[be positive]

Was she scoped last year? was there a reason given for her having ulcers? they tend to be secondary to pain somewhere so unless the cause has been removed or treated a supplement alone will not cure them, although it may help prevent them getting worse. I would suspect the hips/ SI area is wrong, well beyond anything a physio treatment can fix and is probably a very long term issue and that until that has been fully treated she will not be able to maintain condition.
I certainly would not be riding her but would continue to do light exercise from the ground until the vets have seen her and given their diagnosis/ prognosis.

I would also swap the chaff for something that is higher in calories and can be eaten more easily, smaller quantities of grassnuts would be my first choice as the grass is low, she doesn't need the chaff to slow her eating and add bulk so it is a bit counterproductive even if it is a conditioning one.

 

[elliesweet]

Was she scoped last year? was there a reason given for her having ulcers? they tend to be secondary to pain somewhere so unless the cause has been removed or treated a supplement alone will not cure them, although it may help prevent them getting worse. I would suspect the hips/ SI area is wrong, well beyond anything a physio treatment can fix and is probably a very long term issue and that until that has been fully treated she will not be able to maintain condition.
I certainly would not be riding her but would continue to do light exercise from the ground until the vets have seen her and given their diagnosis/ prognosis.

I would also swap the chaff for something that is higher in calories and can be eaten more easily, smaller quantities of grassnuts would be my first choice as the grass is low, she doesn't need the chaff to slow her eating and add bulk so it is a bit counterproductive even if it is a conditioning one.

She had the ulcers when she came out of racing due to stress. (hence moving her to a nice quite yard).

at the moment I hack her once a week long line twice and lung twice.but

I will give the grass nuts a try thank you.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Just be careful, grass nuts really do not have any nutritional value, it is only compressed grass, they did nothing for my boy whatsoever

 

[elliesweet]

 

[elliesweet]

This is what she looked liked like before