Hopping lame after getting up

HannahB

HannahB

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Bumbles has had lameness issues in the past but has been sound for years- but in the last few months, she's managed to slip over in the mud, and was kicked in the hind end by another horses show of dominance.

I noticed she was a bit stiff hind left a few weeks back so haven't ridden her since (I only ride her up the hill once a week at the moment). She was also quite reluctant to shift weight to hind left for the farrier - no issues with hooves, she is barefoot. Vets suspect arthritis but haven't had a full workup. She is 18, a cob who is actually a sensible weight lol.

What scared me was when I went to check her just now, in the dark she and her companion were lying down, both got up to come to me and she was hopping lame hind left, then partially weight bearing after a few strides. Walking normally after a few mins but still holding hind left with minimal weight when standing still. She isn't on any medications.

She was lying on her left side so I'm hoping that it just felt dead, like when you sleep on your arm and can't feel it when you wake up? As when I was field clearing earlier in the day, she lay down by me, slept for a good 30 mins then got up and was absolutely fine. She was lying on her right side though and was significantly warmer in the sunshine..

I'll asked vet for some bute, she was supposed to see massage therapist earlier today but cancelled. Any suggestions?? Perhaps a joint supplement? Should I be stabling her overnight? I do have stable space but currently my goats are mating in them, and I personally think field rest and being able to move naturally is better than being stuck inside, but I know there are many benefits to that too.
Thanks x
 
Try to think of her like a person "of a certain age": possibly ready for lots more adventures, but sitting down cross-legged for a while makes one walk funny for a bit...there may well be stuff going on, such as bits of arthritis and who-knows-what else, but likewise, the best advice to help these issues may well be further exercise, including stuff that is wonky at first, but actually helps in the long run.

I would start by asking for an assessment from both a vet and an ACPAT physiotherapist, and then working with them, or with a coach that is interested in biomechanical stuff, on suggestions for exercises to support her. For example, my 18yo mare is a bit stiffer behind than she used to be, and I am trying to pay attention to which combination of lateral work and flowing shapes helps her to loosen up and work well, on a given day (it changes a bit).

I'd agree with your basic idea that out living "naturally" is fundamentally better than stabled, but that depends on the quality of shelter available, and if she is warm enough and is able to rest properly.

I'd also hold off on medication and supplements until after having spoken with a vet and physio, to make sure you're not masking anything when getting things worked up.
 
Just a heads up for you and anyone in the same position. When you get the vet out, if they diagnose arthritis and suggest putting her onto bute ask if they can do you a prescription and then buy on line with the prescription.

My previous vets did a price matching service. They were charging £1.15 per sachet of but but it cost me 64p per sachet (73p with the prescription charge factored in). So it saved me a fortune! Especially when I bought two boxes on the one prescription from them. All I had to do was tell them the website of the cheapest box of bute I could find, they'd look at it to confirm I wasn't telling porkues and then price match.
 
HannahB said:
Bumbles has had lameness issues in the past but has been sound for years- but in the last few months, she's managed to slip over in the mud, and was kicked in the hind end by another horses show of dominance.

I noticed she was a bit stiff hind left a few weeks back so haven't ridden her since (I only ride her up the hill once a week at the moment). She was also quite reluctant to shift weight to hind left for the farrier - no issues with hooves, she is barefoot. Vets suspect arthritis but haven't had a full workup. She is 18, a cob who is actually a sensible weight lol.

What scared me was when I went to check her just now, in the dark she and her companion were lying down, both got up to come to me and she was hopping lame hind left, then partially weight bearing after a few strides. Walking normally after a few mins but still holding hind left with minimal weight when standing still. She isn't on any medications.

She was lying on her left side so I'm hoping that it just felt dead, like when you sleep on your arm and can't feel it when you wake up? As when I was field clearing earlier in the day, she lay down by me, slept for a good 30 mins then got up and was absolutely fine. She was lying on her right side though and was significantly warmer in the sunshine..

I'll asked vet for some bute, she was supposed to see massage therapist earlier today but cancelled. Any suggestions?? Perhaps a joint supplement? Should I be stabling her overnight? I do have stable space but currently my goats are mating in them, and I personally think field rest and being able to move naturally is better than being stuck inside, but I know there are many benefits to that too.
Thanks x
Click to expand...
When my connie did the check ligament the first time, and recent 2nd time, she would always be worse when she first got up. I say get vet now before it gets worse.
 
spookypony said:
Try to think of her like a person "of a certain age": possibly ready for lots more adventures, but sitting down cross-legged for a while makes one walk funny for a bit...there may well be stuff going on, such as bits of arthritis and who-knows-what else, but likewise, the best advice to help these issues may well be further exercise, including stuff that is wonky at first, but actually helps in the long run.

I would start by asking for an assessment from both a vet and an ACPAT physiotherapist, and then working with them, or with a coach that is interested in biomechanical stuff, on suggestions for exercises to support her. For example, my 18yo mare is a bit stiffer behind than she used to be, and I am trying to pay attention to which combination of lateral work and flowing shapes helps her to loosen up and work well, on a given day (it changes a bit).

I'd agree with your basic idea that out living "naturally" is fundamentally better than stabled, but that depends on the quality of shelter available, and if she is warm enough and is able to rest properly.

I'd also hold off on medication and supplements until after having spoken with a vet and physio, to make sure you're not masking anything when getting things worked up.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this 😊
Vet is coming next week for my 2yo vacc so having bumbles checked then as well. She is a very hairy cob and there is lots of natural shelter, I rug her if it goes below 0 or is going to rain loads. My 2yo loves to sleep cuddled up to her so they both spend quite a lot of time resting. Will definitely wait with doing anything till been seen
 
Birker2020 said:
Just a heads up for you and anyone in the same position. When you get the vet out, if they diagnose arthritis and suggest putting her onto bute ask if they can do you a prescription and then buy on line with the prescription.

My previous vets did a price matching service. They were charging £1.15 per sachet of but but it cost me 64p per sachet (73p with the prescription charge factored in). So it saved me a fortune! Especially when I bought two boxes on the one prescription from them. All I had to do was tell them the website of the cheapest box of bute I could find, they'd look at it to confirm I wasn't telling porkues and then price match.
Click to expand...
Yes I've been caught out by this before!
 
Birker2020 said:
Just a heads up for you and anyone in the same position. When you get the vet out, if they diagnose arthritis and suggest putting her onto bute ask if they can do you a prescription and then buy on line with the prescription.

My previous vets did a price matching service. They were charging £1.15 per sachet of but but it cost me 64p per sachet (73p with the prescription charge factored in). So it saved me a fortune! Especially when I bought two boxes on the one prescription from them. All I had to do was tell them the website of the cheapest box of bute I could find, they'd look at it to confirm I wasn't telling porkues and then price match.
Click to expand...
To add to this I've got a prescription for Chanazone which is cheaper than danolin and bute. Obviously need to check doseage/strength with vet. This work out far more cost effective for us.
 
Mine had this, and it was bi-lateral hind leg suspensory ligaments, it looks like arthritis, but it's not necessarily that, so if an X-ray shows nothing much, ask for an ultra-sound scan of the hind suspensory ligaments. Please don't just Bute up and hope for the best, otherwise it could deteriorate. All the best.
 
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