Here we go again.. lame youngster :(

Oh gosh :( what's the prognosis for him?

Don't know if it helps but sound similar to mine. In my case it is stifles. He has just turned 5. Very happy, forward and explosive at times. Primarily difficulty cantering with bucking and swishing tail on going into canter and saddle slipping as high (lame) more on one side behind also latterly didn't like to step downwards out of stable, had to think about it. Wasn't diagnosed for over 6 months (despite knowing he was not right) by which point I had obvious swelling as a bit of bone had chipped off and he was touchy on this area but nothing visible before this just behavioural. Has just had double keyhole surgery on his stifles for OCD on 1st June. Quick recovery (not months of being in a stable). Currently rehabbing and in ridden work, still 2/10 lame but no longer bucking. If it is this, surgery is only option rest doesn't help at this age. Think you are doing the right thing taking him to vet on Monday, in meantime just see if any swelling or soreness at all. View him in walk and trot from behind you might see hip going high on one side if worse on one side, the one opposite to slipping saddle. Mine also had overdeveloped muscle on outside of gaskin (thigh) on the side that was dipping and saddle slipping down onto as it was being placing further under him. This is improving as he is learning to use himself properly. If it is this don't despair! There are lots of people on this forum who understand what you are going through! Good luck and keep us posted!
 
Prognosis is based on what they find when they operate as even scanning x Ray's etc won't show enough. Mine has slight fibrillation of the cartiledge on the less swollen side, the side he was lamer on or higher from behind. Once damaged it won't repair all you can do is support the joint with supplements and hope it doesn't get worse. The ligaments etc have all been tidied up and will completely heal. The prognosis is good, it may just take a little time to completely come right. If they are young they should heal better.
 
I had convinced myself my big lad had pssm (not unreasonable given his draught breeding) but the vet held out for orthopaedic. He is less uncomfortable than yours but was not right behind. Vet was right. So far we have found hock djd and a possible issue with neck vertebrae. SI is still a possibility on top. What I'm trying to say is it could be many things and statistically an orthopaedic issue is more likely. I would agree he does look sore in front as well though. Have you tried booting or reshoeing to see if there is any difference? Have you tried a couple of days of bute?
 
Nope I haven't tried Bute. I guess I'm going straight to vet as I feel this is likely to be a long term issue and the reason he's always. Been reserved behind, so don't think it's something Bute can fix?

Not even considered the fronts at this point I've been so fixated on the hinds. He has super feet though and no pulses etc. Mmm!

How old is your boy? What's the prognosis re hocks?


I had convinced myself my big lad had pssm (not unreasonable given his draught breeding) but the vet held out for orthopaedic. He is less uncomfortable than yours but was not right behind. Vet was right. So far we have found hock djd and a possible issue with neck vertebrae. SI is still a possibility on top. What I'm trying to say is it could be many things and statistically an orthopaedic issue is more likely. I would agree he does look sore in front as well though. Have you tried booting or reshoeing to see if there is any difference? Have you tried a couple of days of bute?
 
A short bute trial might help narrow down the possibilities...though it may not! Didn't for us though it was part of the overall workup. Mine is 6 and at this stage we have no idea what will happen. Medicating the hocks alongside remedial shoeing in front is the next step...no laminitis, excellent hoof quality but balance is way out on one hoof and he just threw a mystery spell of lameness in front which he's over but which we never found a cause for.

I hope you find more answers than we have...and with a decent outcome.
 
hi, dont despair. I'd think of turning away and giving him a good 6 months to process all he has learnt so far.
my young connie didn't look right behind last summer. vet said mildly bi laterally lame behind, no real diagnosis, maybe a little tight in the suspensory area after scans but nothing definite. vet's advice was to turn him away for the winter and he has come back this year a fabulous pony. I like to think it was almost 'growing pains'. and that he needed some general chill and grow up time. best wishes. x
 
Just an update for anyone interested. Liphook work up and MRI of hinds and fronts showed no tendon/ligament/navicular problems, hind hoof has an underun hoof wall and essentially the seedy toe which was resected months ago and nearly grown out is still a bit unstable and needs cleaning up. Front feet showed inflamaed laminae and slightly bruised pedal bone, symptoms in line with laminitis, which they feel is concussive from the overloading of the fronts from a hind issue that's been rumbling along for six months.

So very positive really and could certainly be a lot worse!!
 
Phew at least it can be sorted easily. The feet can be sorted in time with proper balancing but boo to the farrier whom let his toes get so long in the first place!
 
Glad to read your update Michen, didn't comment on original post but have been following your progress. Fingers crossed for an easy and straightforward resolution, you deserve it after all the stress these flippin horses have put you through!
 
Thanks guys, it would obviously have been a whole lot less stressful if it hadn't happened at all but given the level of lameness it was probably the best outcome I could have hoped for. Now how to keep a very jolly little youngster amused whilst he's having a rest!


Thank god for that! Glad to hear it.

Phew at least it can be sorted easily. The feet can be sorted in time with proper balancing but boo to the farrier whom let his toes get so long in the first place!

Glad to read your update Michen, didn't comment on original post but have been following your progress. Fingers crossed for an easy and straightforward resolution, you deserve it after all the stress these flippin horses have put you through!
 
Just an update for anyone interested. Liphook work up and MRI of hinds and fronts showed no tendon/ligament/navicular problems, hind hoof has an underun hoof wall and essentially the seedy toe which was resected months ago and nearly grown out is still a bit unstable and needs cleaning up. Front feet showed inflamaed laminae and slightly bruised pedal bone, symptoms in line with laminitis, which they feel is concussive from the overloading of the fronts from a hind issue that's been rumbling along for six months.

So very positive really and could certainly be a lot worse!!

it certainly could have been a lot worse glad it's nothing too horrible hopefully with a bit of rest and good shoeing he will be fixed:)
 
Top