Horse isn’t quite right..

[SophW1898]

Looking for some advice,comfort, a small ray of hope!

My horse isn’t entirely comfortable in his back end, he has seemed less willing in his ridden work for a short while (fly leaping when jumping, more reluctant to school nicely)

He’s had his teeth done and he did have some sharpness and a hook, my physio came out and noticed he was very sore and has hypertrophy alongside his lumber and sacroiliac.. he’s had a week or so off and is still slightly gingerly behind my physio hasn’t suggested I get the vet out yet as he’d probably pass a vetting but as his owner I can see he’s not 100%.

Physio is coming back in 4 weeks but I’m starting to wonder whether I just bite the bullet and get the vet out, I’ve convinced myself he’s got kissing spine or something seriously wrong with him. He’s only 8 and I just want my happy pony back

 

[Parrotperson]

Well get the vet! If nothing else you’ll stop mithering and you’ll know either way.

it isn’t necessarily something major either. It may v well be something that’s very treatable. In the meantime I wouldn’t be riding him. He’s obviously uncomfortable so best leave it til you know.

have you checked the saddle fitting?

I know that vets visits are expensive these days but it’d put your mind at rest and you’d know where you are and what needs to be done. Get a good equine vet don’t dilly dally with a general vet you’ll only be wasting time and money.

Lets us know what happens and good luck.

 

[AmyMay]

Get the vet, obviously

 

[southerncomfort]

Definitely, 100% get the vet out.

Physios can only do much, you need some proper diagnostics.

 

[SophW1898]

Well get the vet! If nothing else you’ll stop mithering and you’ll know either way.

it isn’t necessarily something major either. It may v well be something that’s very treatable. In the meantime I wouldn’t be riding him. He’s obviously uncomfortable so best leave it til you know.

have you checked the saddle fitting?

I know that vets visits are expensive these days but it’d put your mind at rest and you’d know where you are and what needs to be done. Get a good equine vet don’t dilly dally with a general vet you’ll only be wasting time and money.

Lets us know what happens and good luck.

Well get the vet! If nothing else you’ll stop mithering and you’ll know either way.

it isn’t necessarily something major either. It may v well be something that’s very treatable. In the meantime I wouldn’t be riding him. He’s obviously uncomfortable so best leave it til you know.

have you checked the saddle fitting?

I know that vets visits are expensive these days but it’d put your mind at rest and you’d know where you are and what needs to be done. Get a good equine vet don’t dilly dally with a general vet you’ll only be wasting time and money.

Lets us know what happens and good luck.

Thank you, definitely not riding him until I know either way - my gut has always told me to get the vet but I guess it’s hard as I’m not sure where to start e.g x rays etc…
would attach a video of said horse if I could

 

[JBM]

Thank you, definitely not riding him until I know either way - my gut has always told me to get the vet but I guess it’s hard as I’m not sure where to start e.g x rays etc…
would attach a video of said horse if I could

To upload a video I usually upload the clip to YouTube set viewers to link only then attach a link to the video in the group

 

[AmyMay]

it’s hard as I’m not sure where to start e.g x rays etc…

That’s what the vet is there for

 

[SophW1898]

That’s what the vet is there for

You’re right! I’ll ring them tomorrow

 

[SEL]

Are his hind feet wearing evenly? That was one of my big clues something wasn't quite right with a pony that trotted up fine.

 

[ponynutz]

I’d get the vet. But it could be learnt pain if your physio found something and then corrected it?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Stop wasting money on the physio and get your vet out. The horse is in pain and whatever condition he has has caused the hypertrophy. Lumbar and SI pain is usually caused by hind end lameness.
Please don't ride this horse and just get the vet out. That's what they're out there for.

 

[SophW1898]

Stop wasting money on the physio and get your vet out. The horse is in pain and whatever condition he has has caused the hypertrophy. Lumbar and SI pain is usually caused by hind end lameness.
Please don't ride this horse and just get the vet out. That's what they're out there for.

He hasn’t been ridden for weeks now, I got my physio out as the vet actually recommended having his teeth and the physio first, which I’ve now done but have been contemplating whether to wait the 4 weeks the physio suggested or go straight to the vet.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Id get the vet too, he wouldnt pass a vetting if he’s off, or not right anyway, and for your peace of mind I would do it.

Might well be something simple but I wouldn’t take any risks

 

[Sossigpoker]

He hasn’t been ridden for weeks now, I got my physio out as the vet actually recommended having his teeth and the physio first, which I’ve now done

I'm surprised that a vet would say that given that you describe a hind limb lameness pretty clearly. Having his teeth done will do nothing for the SI pain , which is usually resultant from hind limb lameness.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Just get a lack of performance work up done at the vet they know where to start and will hopefully get to the bottom of it.

If your not happy with current vet go somewhere else with a good reputation, I wouldn't be that impressed with your vets advice considering they haven't even looked at the horse.

 

[PeterNatt]

I am another one that would suggest a vets appointment for them to make a diagnosis.

 

[Hackback]

I'd book a day out and go straight to a vet hospital where they can do a full workup and scans/x-rays/treatment as appropriate. Saves so much time and probably cheaper in the long run. Your vet may recommend this anyway.

 

[SophW1898]

Hi all,
Horse had a full work up yesterday, he has some arthritis in his hocks and currently awaiting a scan on his stifle as a nerve block in that area significantly improved his movement, the x ray didn’t show much there but feeling pretty devastated right now and just hoping this isn’t the end of his ridden career at only 9 years old

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Hi all,
Horse had a full work up yesterday, he has some arthritis in his hocks and currently awaiting a scan on his stifle as a nerve block in that area significantly improved his movement, the x ray didn’t show much there but feeling pretty devastated right now and just hoping this isn’t the end of his ridden career at only 9 years old

Everything crossed for you OP. I know how you’re feeling, both my previous horses had to be happy hackers before 10. Devastating. Hope you get some good news.

 

[SophW1898]

Everything crossed for you OP. I know how you’re feeling, both my previous horses had to be happy hackers before 10. Devastating. Hope you get some good news.

Thank you! I've already resided myself to the fact he'll never get up to the levels I'd hoped for but I'd be happy just doing some low level dressage and hacking right now, I'd never push him to do more than he's comfortable and if that means he has to live out his days in a field with my other retired pony (as devastated as I would be) then that's what he'll get.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you! I've already resided myself to the fact he'll never get up to the levels I'd hoped for but I'd be happy just doing some low level dressage and hacking right now, I'd never push him to do more than he's comfortable and if that means he has to live out his days in a field with my other retired pony (as devastated as I would be) then that's what he'll get.

There is lots they can do now for hock arthritis just speak to the vet about treatment.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Hi all,
Horse had a full work up yesterday, he has some arthritis in his hocks and currently awaiting a scan on his stifle as a nerve block in that area significantly improved his movement, the x ray didn’t show much there but feeling pretty devastated right now and just hoping this isn’t the end of his ridden career at only 9 years old

My 9 year old cob has hock arthritis and his right hock is almost fused. He had Arthmid into that hock in November and was sound in 48 hours. He's in full work now and sound.
He also had his SI medicated as that's usually sore with hind limb lameness.

I was devastated when I first learned this too - but my lameness vet said that the average age for a horse with arthritis is now 6! It is not ab old horse's disease any more.

Try not to feel too sad , there will be a lot the vets can do for your horse.

 

[SophW1898]

My 9 year old cob has hock arthritis and his right hock is almost fused. He had Arthmid into that hock in November and was sound in 48 hours. He's in full work now and sound.
He also had his SI medicated as that's usually sore with hind limb lameness.

I was devastated when I first learned this too - but my lameness vet said that the average age for a horse with arthritis is now 6! It is not ab old horse's disease any more.

Try not to feel too sad , there will be a lot the vets can do for your horse.

Thank you for your message, I really appreciate it! The vet said Arthramid would be an option for him so I’m thinking of going down that route, just hoping what’s going on with his stifle isn’t too serious and I can rehab him from that

 

[SophW1898]

Hi all, a final update…
Vet scanned his stifle which showed a little inflammation but no major injury.
She suggested Arthramid for his hocks and a one off injection in his stifle to help with the inflammation.
She is hopeful that IF he has a positive response to treatment and with the correct maintenance she doesn’t see any reason he couldn’t return to the sort of work he was doing before (schooling 2/3x a week and hacking/long reining 1/2x a week, I only ever jumped once a month max before his diagnosis too and nothing above 80cm)

 

[dreamcometrue]

I hope the treatment works. Hope you are feeling okay too @SophW1898. X

 

[SophW1898]

I hope the treatment works. Hope you are feeling okay too @SophW1898. X

Thank you! Although disappointed I’m just relieved I followed my gut and investigated so we can hopefully get him comfortable and keep him happy x

 

[Ceriann]

Let us know how he gets on post treatment.

 

[sbloom]

Hi all,
Horse had a full work up yesterday, he has some arthritis in his hocks and currently awaiting a scan on his stifle as a nerve block in that area significantly improved his movement, the x ray didn’t show much there but feeling pretty devastated right now and just hoping this isn’t the end of his ridden career at only 9 years old

This is super common (how often do we hear of hocks being injected?) so don't panic. I would see this as a window to get him comfortable and then take an holistic look at the causes. So many horses are in slight compensatory movement patterns, causing the whole body including hind legs to move in slightly the wrong way and essentially it's repetitive strain injury that causes it. My mind was shifted when I trained with Gillian Higgins 5 years ago and she said the "vast majority" of injuries are the result of RSI.

So do start reading around about movement patterns and correcting a horse posturally, there is a ton of resources out there, but vet rehab/back to work programmes seldom address it (it's a really complex area and vets are GPs of the animal world with a lot of stuff to cover). While he's comfortable after injections this is your time to really get to the bottom of things, to do groundwork that helps lift his thoracic sling, unlock the back end, build back that back muscle and get straight, once you're riding him further down the line you may then find he is able to do more than you thought, as long as the work is correct.

I would recommend starting with a month's membership of Equitopia Center, it's cheap and there are SO many webinars about topline syndrome, posture etc. I would then want a bodyworker and possibly and in person rehabber/groundwork person (or at least a really good online course) to help me progress.

 

[SophW1898]

This is super common (how often do we hear of hocks being injected?) so don't panic. I would see this as a window to get him comfortable and then take an holistic look at the causes. So many horses are in slight compensatory movement patterns, causing the whole body including hind legs to move in slightly the wrong way and essentially it's repetitive strain injury that causes it. My mind was shifted when I trained with Gillian Higgins 5 years ago and she said the "vast majority" of injuries are the result of RSI.

So do start reading around about movement patterns and correcting a horse posturally, there is a ton of resources out there, but vet rehab/back to work programmes seldom address it (it's a really complex area and vets are GPs of the animal world with a lot of stuff to cover). While he's comfortable after injections this is your time to really get to the bottom of things, to do groundwork that helps lift his thoracic sling, unlock the back end, build back that back muscle and get straight, once you're riding him further down the line you may then find he is able to do more than you thought, as long as the work is correct.

I would recommend starting with a month's membership of Equitopia Center, it's cheap and there are SO many webinars about topline syndrome, posture etc. I would then want a bodyworker and possibly and in person rehabber/groundwork person (or at least a really good online course) to help me progress.

thank you! after chatting with a load of people I do feel a lot better (I had never realised how common hock injections were until now)
Hopefully if he responds to injections well, my coach has offered to give me groundwork lessons - we are lucky to have off road hills that the vet said would be great for long reining him round once I’ve got going to really help build his core and back end - so I’m going to make sure I put plenty of time into it

 

[sbloom]

thank you! after chatting with a load of people I do feel a lot better (I had never realised how common hock injections were until now)
Hopefully if he responds to injections well, my coach has offered to give me groundwork lessons - we are lucky to have off road hills that the vet said would be great for long reining him round once I’ve got going to really help build his core and back end - so I’m going to make sure I put plenty of time into it

Great, do have a look at Equitopia though, it's really good for you to understand what needs doing and why and will help you judge which recommendations to follow and where to consider looking elsewhere, you are your horse's advocate.