Fistulous withers

[ropa]

I have a horse that is recovering from surgery for fistulous withers. What a roller coaster! I wondered if anyone else has any experience of it? It is hard to stay positive and as it is so rare it is hard to find info. I would be grateful for any shared experiences

 

[paddy555]

what was the cause in your case?

 

[482739]

My friends horse had this, I believe an unknown cause. Rolling funny etc. hers had an operation & was concerned about riding her again.
She is riding her again now & doing very well! You wouldn't know to look at the horse either.

 

[baileymoo]

My 5yr old horse had/has fistulous withers. Mine was caused by unknown trauma and was tested for brucella but thankfully was clear. I believe the main causes are ill fitting saddles, trauma and brucella. I agree that it is an absolute nightmare as it is so rare, no one knows anything (even the vets!) and the internet isn't much use either. My horse had surgery at Newmarket this time last year and it is a huge rollercoaster i agree. They couldn't get all the tumours out and had to leave about 5% of it in as they were worried about paralyzing her and felt they had pushed their luck already. I almost didnt have the surgery due to the risks involved but my horse was only young, full of life and in clear discomfort even on field rest. I was told i wouldn't be riding her or even putting a rug on her ever again due to the size and damage the tumours had caused but she healed better than any of us thought and I am now back riding her. Her withers are now very deformed due to scar tissue (they were normal pre-surgery) and so saddle fitting is hard, and she was a fantastic show horse but now obviously has had to have a change of career. I never know if when one day she bucks or naps that it is discomfort and you do spend most your time worrying if its back or if it hurts, i honestly wish she had hurt a leg as at least lameness is visible to the eye. It is heartbreaking but my mare is hopefully going to be a success story, and i hope your horse is too. If you have any questions or want any pics etc ask away, very happy to help as i was completely alone in dealing with this!