Horse is booked in for gait analysis tomorrow

[Bernster]

?

No particular point to this post but just wanted to share/update, and will report back afterwards. Having said that I wouldn’t worry or fret, as it’s really not helpful, now that the appointment is tomorrow I am feeling down. Finnegan is off to the RVC tmrw morning for gait analysis and then whatever further tests are needed. Anyone had experience of gait analysis?

It should be covered by insurance and they’ve got pretty sophisticated tools and specialists there so if anything is wrong I’m hopeful they’ll identify it. Odd situation as it’s not clear what is up or what might be causing it. Intermittent very mild (less than 1/10) ‘offness’ left fore, physio thinks he’s lame right hind, vet and instructor think it might be the melanoma on the right side of his poll that is causing some discomfort. Mainly shows up ridden and only when turning on the left rein, has cleared two lameness work ups with senior RVC vets who couldn’t see anything in terms of lameness to warrant further investigation at this stage. Feels happy and willing. Going better with a different bridle and saddle, has been in full work Throughout with no deterioration (on vet advice to work him properly ie it’ll get better or worse and if it gets worse we might be able to spot what it is). Also had regular and recent physio, teeth, and saddle checks. Nothing obvious identified.

I can’t be there due to work and Covid so I will be hanging on for the dreaded phone call. I feel like we’re searching for a needle in the proverbial. Part of me wanted to continue with the ridden/rehab type work and see how we go but Ive decided to go for peace of mind (I hope) starting with the gait analysis.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Good luck. I have no personal experience with gait analysis but it sounds fascinating. Sorry you can’t be there, I wonder if anyone can video it for you?

Was chatting recently with chiro vet - a minor discomfort causing a horse to move a tad wonkily can set up all sorts of other issues if you can’t find it and deal with it. In my mare’s case, she has hind gut acidosis which is now under control, but it explains a lot of things, starting with her ‘weak’ right hind. She was passed as sound by vets and physios too, and was out competing.

 

[Bernster]

Hadnt thought of that but that’s a good idea, thx. They probably video it anyway so just a case of sending me a copy.

How did you manage to diagnose your horse’s issue in the end? He is a bit one sided and so am I, which may be causing it or may be showing up something. So hard with horses when it’s this kind of mild, unclear issue.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Bernster, I have nothing to add as haven't seen gait analysis done, but keeping fingers crossed that they might get yo the bottom of it xx

 

[Scarlett]

Good luck. I have no personal experience with gait analysis but it sounds fascinating. Sorry you can’t be there, I wonder if anyone can video it for you?

Was chatting recently with chiro vet - a minor discomfort causing a horse to move a tad wonkily can set up all sorts of other issues if you can’t find it and deal with it. In my mare’s case, she has hind gut acidosis which is now under control, but it explains a lot of things, starting with her ‘weak’ right hind. She was passed as sound by vets and physios too, and was out competing.

I had one with wonkiness caused by HGA too. Never lame enough to diagnose anything more but not right either. Now the gut is fixed the right hind is stronger and he's fine!

 

[Bernster]

Goodness, interesting 2 cases with what could be a similar story.

 

[criso]

I had it done a few years ago with horse that wasn’t quite right. Showed imbalance in one of the hinds but a full work up led us to the back.
Is it Thilo doing it? He developed it and when i had it done came to my yard as he lived half a mile up the road. They do video it as part of the process.
I was up at the RVC recently and though they are not letting you hang around in the exam rooms watching, you probably could have done for outside routines. You can see the workup area from the car park where they'd make you wait anyway.

 

[Bernster]

Thx criso, not sure who’s doing this one. Gonzales said he’d refer it to the best person for this type of issue presumably he means osteo/skeletal although it could be anything really. I’d really like to be around even if in the distance but I need to head back home for a very long Zoom meeting anyway. The next avail date was weeks away.

Good to hear they did find, and hopefully fixed, yours. Last time I was there it was my KS mare and that started years of vet treatment which wasn’t 100% successful but I’m clingng on to the fact this his is so mild and he’s carried on ok, so hopefully it’s minor and fixable.

 

[criso]

When i had it done only the guy who developed it (thilo pau) did the analysis then a different vet for the workup. However that was about 4 years ago so i did wonder if the other vets can do it now.

 

[racebuddy]

Good luckhow u get on

 

[Bernster]

Long old day and a lot of miles covered! The upshot is - inconclusive. Not helped by my needle phobic horse so they only managed to block the left fore hoof (no change) and couldn’t do any further up as it was getting dangerous. Oops. So he got sent home with 2 weeks of Bute to see if it makes any difference. If it does, possibly a bone scan and further tests.

Very little identified of any note. I managed to watch It all exc the nerve block so picked up loads of interesting info. The gait analysis seems like it’s standard now exc for very obvious lameness and picks up mm of difference. In this case it mostly confirmed what the vet saw but occasionally it came up with a different result.

In the meantime, back to full/hard work and re assess but vet not even sure bone scan will be that helpful, it’s very expensive and may not be covered by the insurance (as so far they’ve not diagnosed anything).

I’ve got a rider symmetry session next week and I suspect that may actually prove more fruitful!

Mixed feelings and a bit of frustration at some well meaning folks who have influenced me against my own gut feeling and the assessment of two very good vets and my instructor.

 

[tatty_v]

Very sorry to hear that Bernster, I hope you can get some more concrete answers soon x

 

[Wheels]

that's very frustrating Bernster. Have the vets watched you ride and seen the lameness? Have you tried a different saddle (pref after physio) and a different bridle / bit just to rule those things out?

 

[timefort]

Sorry to hear you and F are having problems /wonkiness issues. It had looked like he was going so well and is so frustrating when things are almost but not quite right. Fingers crossed rider symmetry type sessions prove to be more useful.

 

[Bernster]

that's very frustrating Bernster. Have the vets watched you ride and seen the lameness? Have you tried a different saddle (pref after physio) and a different bridle / bit just to rule those things out?

Did a ridden assessment with RVC rider (who rode well and picked up exactly what I’ve been working on). Not seen me ride but I’ll get videos from the symmetry day so I check to see if there’s a difference. I do think it’s more noticeable when I ride (we’re both wonky) and my ins can feel it but rides him through it more effectively than me.

New saddle and bridle has helped (less chomping). He‘s got 2 bridles and 2 bits and have tried a different bit but no difference really.

Other than the Bute trial, I’m struggling with how much more I do. I think I know what the issue is, vet and instructor agree, RVC vet said it could well be that, and I suspect most people wouldn’t do any of these tests cos it’s so mild and has an obvious explanation (one sided horse and rider, growing lump impacting his right poll). It hasn’t changed with work or out of work, but it gets better when I ride him in a way that takes pressure off the right rein.

I was advised by physio to get these tests done due to hind limb lameness, but 2 lameness work ups later with 2 senior RVC vets, plus all the tests yesterday on referral, didn’t suggest that hind limb was the issue ?‍

 

[Bernster]

And thx everyone for your input, it is frustrating and I’m a bit bamboozled. In the meantime, finnegan is his usual merry self so I’m going to crack on (on Vets advice), try to enjoy my horse (albeit with the shadow of the Bute trial), and see what happens with the Bute trial.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Its must be frustrating for you when youre trying so hard to do the best for your horse.
Im really surprised that a bute trial wasnt done before all the other more extensive tests - was there a reason for this out of interest?
As others have suggested I really wouldnt rule out hind gut/stomach ulcers as it definitely showed up on the right hind of our connie plus other Sue Dyson pain signs.
Good luck.

 

[Bernster]

We did a short Bute trial, although that was more for the melanoma - no change. It’s a bit of a long story as to why we ended up at the RVC, which has added to my frustrations, but I wanted to investigate the fore leg anyway. That foot was blocked with no change.

The issue ref the gut is - there doesn’t appear to be any hindlimb lameness! Not one that anyone other than the (new to me) physio can detect, inc on a gait analysis. I’m not happy with this physio and won’t be using her again for various reasons.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Its so difficult locating small niggles isnt it - we thought we had something with our connie when we restarted him after 2 years turn away due to the ulcers but decided to opt for carrying on with work & it turns out it was just him realigning his body - times a great healer & something we all seem to be lacking of these days in our fast paced lives.

 

[Bernster]

Thank you. Vets have all said, carry on riding and see how he goes. Am aware it might be something niggly that gets worse and, whilst I’d love to catch it early, vets haven’t so far found anything they can reliably diagnose or treat. He gets 5 star treatment (better than me!) so if anything does change he’ll get the best care I can give him.

 

[Bernster]

Good lord! Hmhmhmhmhmh - rode last night (def no Bute started yet) and he felt good. Perplexed but can wonkiness and lack of proper bend make a horse look a tiny bit lame/off? (He’s never been unlevel, he strides a bit shorter on the left rein compared to the right) Another piece of info to add to the conundrum.

I worked on riding a different way on the left rein turn which my ins has been showing me. He started off a bit stiff as usual but once I got him bending through his body properly, and controlling the outside shoulder, he felt much better. ?‍

I’m keeping a diary for the next 4 weeks during which he’ll be on the 2 week trial so will see if this is a blip.

 

[milliepops]

Good lord! Hmhmhmhmhmh - rode last night (def no Bute started yet) and he felt good. Perplexed but can wonkiness and lack of proper bend make a horse look a tiny bit lame/off? (He’s never been unlevel, he strides a bit shorter on the left rein compared to the right) Another piece of info to add to the conundrum.

Yeah I believe so. I've been sort of on a knife edge with do I keep going or not with my TB because he was definitely not level 12 months ago, but all I've done is ride him straight (which incorporates equal ability to bend) and develop suppleness, and I think he looks sound now. He was extremely crooked at the start, and now I would say for his level of training he is straighter than most. occasionally when he is tense I see one hindleg is short. but I don't think its unusual for horses to show tension in one hindleg, I see it fairly often at shows where a horse is not relaxed in the walk, for instance. are they lame... or just a bit one sided? I think there's a fair overlap tbh and sometimes physio-type work is all that's needed. though that is not easy to achieve and you have to be careful that you aren't ignoring an underlying problem. bit of a headscratcher.

 

[Bernster]

It really is! Thanks MP. knowing him, and me, and with all the data I have so far, I’m inclined to focus on physio/ridden rehab type work. My gut says it’s not a vet job, now that we’ve ruled out any hind limb lameness and that front foot (plus the gait analysis showed the difference on the left fore was when he was pushing off, not on the load bearing part of the stride, which is unusual for forelimb lameness apparently). It’s possible that it’s higher up - neck/shoulder ofc.

Have a fab new saddler who also runs a tack shop who’s offered to help with trying the equicore system and long line and pole work, to see if we can help him that way.

 

[milliepops]

hope that'll make a positive difference it's so tricky isn't it. I'm not always 100% convinced that my TB is quite right underneath it all, but the way I have chosen to approach him, is that I knew he had a mangled body from his previous work life and extended lay off, muscular oddness and 2 buggered tendons... so i figured I'd get him as good as I could by myself before launching off into anything too involved, because that work would have needed doing anyway. And while he is still improving, then we we're probably still on the right track. Quiet work to strengthen and straighten him has made quite a difference.

 

[Bernster]

The other thing for me is it was worse after lock down, gets better when I ride him in the right way (bend, straightness etc), and hasn’t got any worse (as in it’s 1/10 anyway so pretty mild) with full work inc jumping.

id def agree that I’ve seen horses look ‘not right’ due to tension etc that then goes away. You have to know and take into account the whole horse and all the circs before pronouncing it lame or a vet job. Apart from more obv cases ofc.

 

[milliepops]

indeed. I've struggled with this one (ethically) myself just because my instincts are always to call vet first and go from there. but 12 months ago there was so much white noise of - he doesn't understand his new job, he's really tense and anxious, he's really crooked, he's got crappy feet, yada yada yada that I think we could have gone off and found some red herrings. Whereas Kira, say, i know her inside out, I know how supple she is, and so on.. a smaller thing with her would make me ship off to the horspital. there's a fine line, isn't there. and it's not always easy to get it right.

 

[Bernster]

It’s so hard to know but atm I feel like I’ve been influenced by a bit of white noise.

These tests have been about the hind, although I decided to go for them more for the left fore. It does seem like the hind is a red herring (3 clear lameness work ups and a gait analysis) so I’m a bit hmpf about being told he’s lame right hind. New yard, new physio (yes, the one who isn’t a vet and who did flexions without me knowing). And, shall I share this now ? the one who spoke to my vet to get him booked in for a gait analysis before she spoke to me. I feel like a bit of a numpty but i want to do the best by my boy.

 

[Auslander]

Your other horse thoroughly recommends her chiropractor for ironing out niggles!

 

[Bernster]

Does she travel though as finnegan is in Herts? Saddler is really engaged and interested and has an osteo that I might try out. Although not sure which of these many practitioners I should use for what may be more muscle, rather than bone?

He has a shiatsu person who also works on me but I wonder if he needs more ‘Intervention’ as that seems very gentle.

 

[Auslander]

Does she travel though as finnegan is in Herts? Saddler is really engaged and interested and has an osteo that I might try out. Although not sure which of these many practitioners I should use for what may be more muscle, rather than bone?

He has a shiatsu person who also works on me but I wonder if he needs more ‘Intervention’ as that seems very gentle.

Yep - she's in Amersham, so may even be closer to you than she is to me! She travels far and wide anyway!