heart murmer

The grade is based on 'loudness', so you need more information on the type of murmur itself.
Horses have lots of different types, some of which are harmless - I once listened to the heart of a top winning steeplechaser that had a very loud murmur, but it disappeared when working and was safe to ride (the horse was a sort of 'novelty exhibit' that the trainer loved getting people to listen to!).
Of course, not all murmurs are like his, so although I am sure you are worried, I think you need to wait until after he has been checked further before stressing too much. Fingers crossed for you and her :)
 
When I agreed to buy Fatty we took him on trial, lots of reasons for this he was bucking and naughty on the day we tried him but I liked him a lot ,his huge character shone through but there where things going on on the yard that could account for it so we brought him home to see what I could do with him.
MrGS loved him out hunting we got him vetted this showed up a murmur and the vetting was stopped for a discussion , we finished the vetting and vet did an EGC the next day she was not happy .
Owner then called the NFU and a specialist came in with a EGC the horse wore during work she confirmed the murmur was serious and the horse should not be ridden , it's was likely the heart had been damaged by a virus .
We rested ( long story but horse stayed with me ) and fatty went steroids when he became very very Fatty .
After three weeks or so ECG was repeated it was better but still not right .we then rested another three or so .
After discussions between the vets owner and the NFU the NFU paid for Fatty to go the nearest vet uni where two heart specialists did a work up and heart scans loss of use was claimed by Fatties owner and she took a small reduction in payment and gave the horse to me .
Eventually after all sorts of twists and turns and lucky conversation with a GP who told me they force humans with the same condition to exercise we found safe ( for us ) ways to exercise him and we got Fatty right again that's seven years ago he's still with us .
I hope your horse is ok .
Do PM if you want too I know how awful this .
 
I have had two with heart murmurs. These were lower grade than yours 2 to 3. Both were ridden normally (hacking and schooling) but were never in hard work such as hunting or eventing. One reached 26 and the other is currently 25.

I have no experience at the more serious end though my pony shared a field with a Shetland with a grade 4 whose owner had decided to keep her as a pet and not drive her as a result.
 
Thanks for your replies
She's on full loan n no heart problems by owner
Had her in clinic for foot problems as she kept getting abscess then they discovered grade 3 murmer she also tested her blood for infection n all clear
Had vet out for jabs the other day n ask to check n he reckons more grade 4
Advice to scan
I'm only a hacker n get ridden 4-6 times a week with the odd lesson or schooling session
She's not puffy or notice that she's struggling with the work I do
Lives out
 
My friends pony was recently diagnosed with a grade 5, which came as a great surprise, he is in his 20s but the fittest little thing on the planet (in full time work and doing all competitive PC activities) the specialist advised them to keep him in work as it did not worsen with exercise, probably a good thing in his case as retirement would absolutely not suit him atall so I think every case is very different and totally depends on circumstances
 
It sounds as though yours can cope with her workload in that case.

In my case my first pony had a full vetting when I bought her and it was not picked up. I bred from her and many years later with a new vet they picked up that they both had murmurs. By that stage they had both been in work for some time. Every time after that whichever vet I had I was asked if I realised they had murmurs but to be honest as it did not appear to affect them I wad pretty blasé about it. (I know they can be serious at the highest level though).

You have my sympathy over the abcesses my pony has had quite a few recently but touch wood seems to be improving now but she has cushings (as well as a heart murmur.)
 
The grade means nothing, if anything the quieter ones can be more serious. As our consultant said to us: what makes more noise? Fluid passing through a small hole at high pressure or fluid passing through a large hole at low pressure?

You'll find the scan fascinating and it will let you know if it's anything to worry about. It all depends what is leaking into where.
 
What's matters is it the type of murmur that may kill or make the horse pass out during work.
If it is it's the end of riding the horse unless it resolves itself .
 
My friend's 2** event horse had one and was only diagnosed after having time off and being allowed to become unfit - in full fitness it wasn't identifiable. It was classed as a grade 4-5 (out of 6). She didn't trust his heart to event but he was still fine for dressage and was competing at PSG before he retired. Despite having the heart murmur he sold for £10,000 several years ago. It's not always the end of the world.
 
Tyx for your experiences n advise
Will post once I've had scan
Not sure if diet can help to
Currently being fed thunderbrooks chaff
With sml about of balancer
Plus nettle n cleaver helps for circulation
N turmeric which vet seem to plz at
Hay n grass
 
Ps The vast majority of horse murmurs are very common and completely harmless. Horses hearts are notoriously leaky - they're just so big and powerful that they do funky things at rest. Try not to worry too much until you have the scan.
 
haycroft said:
T
Not sure if diet can help to
Click to expand...
Electrolyte imbalances can cause some heart murmurs, which often disappear when the imbalance is corrected. But your vet will consider this after they find out more about the type of murmur etc.
If you do a google search you will find a lot of articles about how common murmurs are in sport horses, so this might help relieve some of your worries while waiting for more information :) :)
 
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