twisteddiamond
Well-Known Member
does anyone know if horses get growing pains or is it vet speak for i havent a clue? (also in vet forum but nooone seems to know)
growing pains?
- Thread starter twisteddiamond
- Start date
ihatework
Well-Known Member
I personally take the term growing pains to mean mild discomfort a young horse may experience while in a growth spurt, often just a basic muscle weakness etc. or a reduced gait quality due to being a bit bum high etc.
If a vet tried telling me it was 'growing pains' on a noticeably lame horse I wouldn't be best pleased
If a vet tried telling me it was 'growing pains' on a noticeably lame horse I wouldn't be best pleased
twisteddiamond
Well-Known Member
he is lame on both front legs some days more than others he hasnt been worked for about 9 weeks because he hasn't been sound enough hes on box rest now but the vet wants him brought up to full work over a month while on a sachet of bute a day
he has just turned 4 and is approx 17hh
he has just turned 4 and is approx 17hh
ihatework
Well-Known Member
I would be asking your vet a few probing questions and would probably consider a second opinion at this point.
What do nerve blocks, scans and xrays show?
What do nerve blocks, scans and xrays show?
twisteddiamond
Well-Known Member
nothing because he hasn't done any, am not best impressed and dont really want to be riding a lame horse tanked up on pain killers
Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
If he's that big and that young, then yes, it could be growth related but I don't see how working him on bute, if he's not strong enough anyway, is going to prove much except possibly cause him more problems for the future.
I think I would be seriously considering a change of vets and getting something like scans done to pinpoint the problem if you don't have a clue where he's wrong; also your farrier would be worth using just in case it is only a balance problem. IMHO and experience, you don't work big young horses hard (a full work up with only a month's work after box rest is hard!), not if you want them to last you for years; that is the sure fire way of bringing future trouble down on your head.
Will be very interested in hearing the outcome.
I think I would be seriously considering a change of vets and getting something like scans done to pinpoint the problem if you don't have a clue where he's wrong; also your farrier would be worth using just in case it is only a balance problem. IMHO and experience, you don't work big young horses hard (a full work up with only a month's work after box rest is hard!), not if you want them to last you for years; that is the sure fire way of bringing future trouble down on your head.
Will be very interested in hearing the outcome.
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If he's that big and that young, then yes, it could be growth related but I don't see how working him on bute, if he's not strong enough anyway, is going to prove much except possibly cause him more problems for the future.
I think I would be seriously considering a change of vets and getting something like scans done to pinpoint the problem if you don't have a clue where he's wrong; also your farrier would be worth using just in case it is only a balance problem. IMHO and experience, you don't work big young horses hard (a full work up with only a month's work after box rest is hard!), not if you want them to last you for years; that is the sure fire way of bringing future trouble down on your head.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto, ditto, ditto! Your vet needs shooting!! (Badly - so he suffers!) Anything of that size - at that age - showing bi-lateral lameness needs 1) Rest; 2) Rest; and 3) More Rest! He also needs investigation to determine the cause of lameness - and if there is anyone near you who does thermal imaging, that is quite a cheap and effective way of narrowing down the location of the lameness!
It may be that he is shin sore, or at worst he may have OCD. But working him at this point is WRONG!!
If he's that big and that young, then yes, it could be growth related but I don't see how working him on bute, if he's not strong enough anyway, is going to prove much except possibly cause him more problems for the future.
I think I would be seriously considering a change of vets and getting something like scans done to pinpoint the problem if you don't have a clue where he's wrong; also your farrier would be worth using just in case it is only a balance problem. IMHO and experience, you don't work big young horses hard (a full work up with only a month's work after box rest is hard!), not if you want them to last you for years; that is the sure fire way of bringing future trouble down on your head.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto, ditto, ditto! Your vet needs shooting!! (Badly - so he suffers!) Anything of that size - at that age - showing bi-lateral lameness needs 1) Rest; 2) Rest; and 3) More Rest! He also needs investigation to determine the cause of lameness - and if there is anyone near you who does thermal imaging, that is quite a cheap and effective way of narrowing down the location of the lameness!
It may be that he is shin sore, or at worst he may have OCD. But working him at this point is WRONG!!
jaffs
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with Janet. Change your Vet.
That's a big youngster and it's lame because something's hurting
Probably is shin sore, but could be OCD.
Masking the pain and working it will really create a chronic problem.
That's a big youngster and it's lame because something's hurting
Masking the pain and working it will really create a chronic problem.
JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
Just to answer your original question, 'growing pains' is a common simplification of the condition more correctly called physitis (physis = growth plate, itis = inflammation). Growth plates are the areas within the bones of young horses from which the bones grow or lengthen. (In adults, the plates have "closed" and are no longer present.)
It is a condition of foals - and occasionally yearlings or two year olds (particularly seen in 2 year old racehorses!) It should NOT be seen in a 4 year old.
In foals, the disease can be caused by infection - or excess nutrition. There are loads of treatment options depending on cause - but if your vet MEANT physitis when he said 'growing pain' he got it wrong on two counts. In addition to being unlikely in a 4 year old, the correct treatment for a mild case is diet and exercise RESTRICTION!
And if he was actually suggesting OCD (which is another condition of fast growth) then again - complete box rest and diet restriction are called for.
It is a condition of foals - and occasionally yearlings or two year olds (particularly seen in 2 year old racehorses!) It should NOT be seen in a 4 year old.
In foals, the disease can be caused by infection - or excess nutrition. There are loads of treatment options depending on cause - but if your vet MEANT physitis when he said 'growing pain' he got it wrong on two counts. In addition to being unlikely in a 4 year old, the correct treatment for a mild case is diet and exercise RESTRICTION!
And if he was actually suggesting OCD (which is another condition of fast growth) then again - complete box rest and diet restriction are called for.