Foals and OCD?

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joulsey

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We took on a 10 month old foal in Feb who had basically been kept in a stable by him self for god knows how long with no turnout/exercise, not even being walked out, and he was in a bit of a state.

Hes looking a lot better now, condition wise.He's finally walking out (we couldn't get him out of his barn for 2 weeks) and is getting an hour in sand paddock a day as summer grazing hasn't started yet.

We thought he had banged him self in the stable as he was slightly lame on his off hind, on and off. Hes got cast a couple of times and I've seen him struggle getting up when he has been led down. But cold hosing etc and he is still lame and the vet is coming out next week to have a look. Some times he looks completely sound, others you can tell he is lame. Walking behind him, on the lame leg he doesn't put his heel flat on the floor completely, and his stifle is a bit inflamed, like there is fluid there.

I know near jack **** about OCD, but do you think this is possible from other peoples knowledge of it? Especially as he has done all his growing confined in a stable and on poor haylage. Obviousley only the vet can say for sure I was just wondering
 
Just seen your post on my thread - following my hours of research today (in a panic after getting home following the vetting) I think it does sound likely I'm afraid, the struggling to get up part is very common in horses with OCD. I'm no expert on OCD either (hadnt had any experience until today) so I may be completely wrong though!

What is the breeding of the foal? TB's and WB's apparently are more likely to have it, large horses that grow quickly tend to be more prone. Could either be hocks or stifles, maybe ask vet to bring X-Ray kit (they normally do) so you can rule it out (or confirm) next week.

With mine (well the yearling I'm looking to buy) he has been out in the field before, brought into a barn for winter, has pretty good hay from what I've seen and no signs of lameness at all so I'm hoping its not OCD, but it just shows potentially any horse can get OCD regardless of how well they have been started in life.

Good luck with the vet, hopefully neither of us will end up with OCD being diagnosed!
 
WB/CB and hes going to be a big boy. I should probably mention as well he doesn't have the best legs either....very upright behind. Part of me wonders if it could be something to be with being stuck in for so long and now hes getting out and about its just too much of him. I really hope its not OCD :(
 
Anyone's guess! Being confined/lacking exercise is one of the management failings that can cause various problems, including OCD (though over-feeding is probably even more dangerous.) I would want the vet to check him over and as long as it's not an active injury, I'd want him in a field 24/24 - even if there's no grass (I have very little grass at present but all my weanlings are out, with ad-lib big bale haylage - far better for them.)
 
It is possible that OCD is reason he was was kept in stable for so long! If so it was mismanaged but quite common .
Experienced breeders know how important exercise is ,it is more prevalent in WB /Tb due mainly to misguided over feeding or nutritional inbalance. It is easily rectified if spotted early by just cutting back the growth rate. I have a 16.3 2yo(this year) who showed signs of going that way ,he now has good joints however most people would say he is thin but thats the cost of keeping his joints sound. He will be fine when mature sometimes you need to do the right thing for them.
 
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He was in cos they lost grazing and basically she lost interest...we have had him just on haylage and fast fibre morning and night
 
Update: Think we can pretty much say its OCD (not had xrays tho) and things aren't looking good for the poor thing. :(
 
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