Hoof /shoulder problems in 22 year old - when to retire

[cob2012]

I have a 22 year old cob who is my first horse and I genuinely love him dearly. He has recently been diagnosed with cushings - main symptom being lethargy.

He is on 1mg Pergolide.

He is a relatively low mileage horse having been a dressage boy for the first 12 years of life and after that a happy hacker.

I have had him for a year but have noticed that he does not enjoy schooling, is getting slower on a hack but loves jumping as a means of focus.

Problem, low grade warmth in front hooves detected today (L more than R), Left shoulder region showing weakness versus right (slightly tight) and not a great gait with a reduced weightbearing on weight bearing mid gait.

ON palpation he has thickening just above his hoof on the left and possible a bit of calcification.

I have the farrier to check for an absess / other tomorrow when he is reshod,

A physio working on his shoulder and wither area specifically plus general wellbeing.

he is in light work - 1x lesson 1hr per week and then 4 days of light schooling or hack (max 1 hour session).

Any advice? Specifically, at what point do I decide to retire him......finding this decision very hard as unlikely to get another horse but would not want him to suffer or be put down for a stupid reason (really no intention unless diagnosis meant a life of pain for him and terrible quality of life).

Should I ride him still, should i retire him to a field?

I currently give him pink powder senior, devils relief, profeet and superflex = a big monthly finaincial commitment.

Any thoughts,

Lucy

 

[paddy555]

I have a cushings horse and cushings has many side effects. Mine was at the stage of being unrideable prior to treatment due to lethargy and muscle wastage. Fast forward about 7 months and he is ridden daily up to a couple of hours a day and is a different horse.

I would decide nothing for 6 months and give the prascend time to do it's work. In the meantime you can do light work, take him for walks etc and then in due course make a decision on his future.
My horse was very lethargic. I just about had to carry him. That changed a lot with the prascend. I knew I had bad muscle wastage in his hind quarters but never thought I also had problems in his shoulders. The hind quarters rectified first then he moved onto the shoulders and started improving those as well. Of course that then had a knock on effect to the movement of his forehand and front legs.
I found that cushings horses needed good levels of protein in their diets to help with the muscle wastage and D & H recomended their oil extracted soya bean meal. (not very expensive) and I also added lysine to his diet (again pretty cheap. Both of those made a great difference.

mine is worked on regularly by a chiropractor and I was told to ride in walk to build him up. This is what I have done for the last 6 months and it has worked well. He is now a very different horse.

You obviously know about reducing the sugar etc. If you are worried about laminitis then it will be a case of restricing the grass especially at this time of the year.