Help with thin soles and Sacaral-iliac!! Any advice appreciated

G

Guignol

Active Member
Joined
14 April 2010
Messages
43
Visit site
I was after people's opinions here as I am at my wits end....

I have a welsh section A for my 3 year old daughter. We have had him for 18 months.

He was fine for a week after we brought him home and then the troubles started when the farrier trimmed his feet as they were very long. The footiness started to the point he couldn't stand. I turned him away for the winter, brought himback into work in feb time and he was sound. It went on for 2 months until one day he started being footy again (I was doing a ride and lead). From day day onwards he has been lame.

The vet looked at him last June and diagnosed him with mild laminitis. I then stabbled him all summer with daily exercise. After 4 months he was no different and I moved areas and vets. I then decided enough was enough and gave him full x-rays and he was clear, with perfect feet just very thin soles. I have now had his shod on all 4 feet yet no difference (normal shoes).

he is sound on the grass and the school just on the road he 'snatches' with is back feet as just before he touches the ground he snatches it back behind him.

the back lady came to him today saying his feet were an issue but has a problem in his back end saying it was Sacaral-iliac. She massaged him and there was no difference. She said he needs a proper physiotherapist to manipulate him and for him to be sedated.

I don't know if this will cure him or if he is like is as he is trying to compensate for his feet or if he has a long standing injury? I took him for a walk in hand last week and for 45 mins he was not sound and then once he had warmed up was a lot better.

He is a wonderful pony that myself and my 3 year old daughter adores. I want him to be sound so my daughter can ride him but not sure if i am better off sending him somewhere that has the facilities to deal with him or retire him as I have limited funds and already spent a lot on him. He has the potential to be an amazing pony and his temperament is second to none especially considering he is in pain.

Any advice is appreciated as I am very lost and don't know what to do for the best.
 
How old is your pony?

I think you are probably spot on when you say he may have damaged his sacroiliac region because he is compensating for pain in his feet.

I think I would try and get a proper diagnosis from a vet - scintigraphy might be useful - and then go from there. A back person/physio might be able to alleviate problems for a short period of time but as long as his feet are hurting him the problem with his sacroiliac will keep coming back.
 
I'd have the pony tested for Cushings and insulin resistance, as thin soles are diet related and he has not responded to a grass free diet. What was he fed while stabled?

I think your back person is probably wrong. I agree with the many people who believe that most back problems are caused by lameness, usually in the hind feet. I don't think you'll resolve his sacroiliac issues until you sort out his thin soles.
 
Another vote for the SI problems being secondary to the foot problem (have had this with one of ours) . Little welshie sounds like he has ongoing laminitis or bordlerline type lammie problems. The advice above is some of the best you will find on here. I would also get a really good lameness work up done if you are insured. Good luck.
 
Have you any pics so we can see his stance? What is he like for the farrier or pick out his hind feet?
What are you feeding him?
What do his back feet look like? Can you post pics of his feet?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top