horse not showing any improvement, vet very pessimistic..

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Jericho

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Had another 5 week check on my boy with navicular syndrome by vet. I knew it was nt improving despite remedial shoeing and tildren etc etc even though I was given the go ahead to light hack (I stopped this as he felt wrong). Vet came today and basically said there are obviously more issues going on - most likely soft tissue. MRI would confirm what exactly it is but given all the issues going on - collapsed heels, navicular etc etc, in the vets words "it is highly unlikely that he is ever going to be sound enough to ride again and at 12yrs old with everything else going on then was it worth it?"

Farrier also came and he was really disappointed that there was no improvement although he said his feet are in fantastic condition now and growing well. After the traumatic visit by vet farrier did a good job of being optimistic and suggested give him the winter and see what happens.....

Osteopath also came out a week or so and said he is all muscle up front and wasted away behind because of the pain of supporting his front end and he was uncomfortable throughout back and ribs. Also that his Hoof pastern axis is very bad still, he walks very heel first and stands much too far under - all bad news and all contributing to a bad prognosis. Basically even if the feet come good, he has been compensating for so long that his body is under a lot of stress.

Just dont know what to think now.... do I continue giving him every chance fixing every problem as they come along and him still be uncomfortable and sore or do I cut my losses? My money is running out, my OH is mightly p***d off, my horse is depressed and there seems little light at the end of the tunnel.

Someone kick me out of this!
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Are you insured for MRI? might be worth it if you are?

Have you looked at alternative therapys? I was sceptical..thinking kaftans and crystals! But the more I read about acupunture and hydro therapy the more I think it might be worth a go. You shoudl be insured if you can convince your vet to sign it off...this will bemy problem! In the same boat as you but mines a high suspensory from the bone and has been lame for 9 months...done all the vetinary treatment and we are nearly there but just a little way to go. I think I am goign to try hydro therapy...give it a read its not that expensive but seems to get good results without being invasive.

Good luck and I have all crossed you find something that works and you can fix you boy.
 
It is hard - did the vets think he would be ok to be retired? Would you be able to keep him like this? If not, then I would have him pts - he isnt suitable as a companion unless he will be field sound without shoes and little to no medication (highly unlikely that anyone will want to pay for expensive shoeing, supplements etc and the temptation to "lightly hack" is going to be a high risk).

Perhaps the rest of the summer off and another round of injections might work, it would give your farrier the chance to try and fix the angle. If you still have insurance money and he still has fight left in him, then I would be inclined to give it a go. If he is miserable though, then I would think pts.

As to having an MRI - I wouldnt bother as you already know it is navicular - would use the money to treat the condition instead.
 
How about shoeing with Epona shoes? These are softer and mimic the barefoot horse, but with protection the foot so it isn't sore, Maybe borrow some hoof boots first - and if he is more comfortable and able to walk correctly then get the Epona shoes put on. It is cheaper to buy them direct and just pay for the farrier to fit them.

It depends on how much damage there is to the bones inside his foot of course, so you need a diagnois. See the lamness thread.
 
I am really sorry for your dilemma, it must be terribly hard for you being in this position. It can be so very hard with our beloved horses sometimes with no light at the end of the tunnel, think alot of us here can empathise to varying degrees.

I really do not know what to advise, you are the one who knows your horse best. From the sounds of things, as you outline them, if he is in alot of pain then perhaps pts would be best option.

Sometimes they are written off incorrectly by vets, as there seems to be no hope, one can never really know if things will turn out well, only time will tell, which is tough in terms of horses.

Perhaps speak frankly with your vet and farrier and ask what they think is best for your horse.
All the best and *big hugs* to you, and keep us posted x
 
Sorry things aren't looking any better.
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I wouldn't bother with the MRI either if you already know he's at least got navicular. There is no cure only management, which at the moment seems not to be working. Have you considered just taking the shoes off and turning away for a year? Sorry I can't think of any other suggestions. You don't have to keep on trying every little idea anyone comes up with if you already know your horse has extensive problems, it would be totally reasonable to decide to retire/pts.
 
Rotten situation.

I think now you have to stand back and honestly ask yourself how much pain your horse is in, and how much more you want to put him through.
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Thanks everyone. I have decided not to go MRI route - just no point. Everything is pointing to a condition that he has been compensating for for too long. I should have seen it when I bought him, the vet should have seen it but anyway.....

Insurance has said they will not pay anymore on the condition after end of September. He cannot NOT be shod as his heel are terrible and he has very flat feet.

Difficult to say how much pain he is in - he is happy in himself, but has bad muscle wastage and moves very akwardly (even when on bute) and this is not going to change. I think he is feeling it but he is genuinely a happy chap in himself and doesnt show it. The osteopath seemed to think he was very uncomfortable (he is already on a heap of supplements to help joints, inflammation etc) but not in considerable pain. I am not sure I can make a decision to put a happy horse to sleep, one that is not in acute pain where his life is miserable, just one that cant be ridden (which he wont enjoy much but will get used to) and one that finds it a bit of an effort to move much.

This time last year I did a Lucinda Green XC clinic and he loved it even with a numpty on his back. I think he was probably in pain then and it breaks my heart......
 
Oh hun. Trying to find the right words and failing miserably. I've just spent an hour crying on Dizz for in effect the same reasons as you.

I think that, if it were me, I'd try for the summer if he's happy pootling around. Just re-read your post. If he's uncomfortable and going to only get worse, then who are you keeping him going for, you or him? I was going to keep Tiggy as a field ornament, until I realized that she couldn't walk properly and that it was only going to get worse - one bad rain storm and she'd be down in the mud and unlikely to be able to get up; two slips and she would not be getting up again.

It's late, I'm not thinking very well, so apologize if I've used the wrong words.
 
Is it worth getting some hoofboots with pads, to see if they make him more comfortable? I'm loving the Cavallos, but there are a few out there that can be left on 24/7 these days. I know I've just put this link on another thread and honest, I don't work for them, but thesaddlershop have quite a few hoof boot options, so you can directly compare on one site (I was norty and then bought mine somewhere cheaper, but this site is actually one of the cheapest!).

Mrs Mozart does speak some sense. If he were mine, I would get the boots, see how he is for the rest of summer/ the autumn and prepare for that awful decision in a few weeks, if he's still uncomfortable. Everything crossed that you find hope soon. xx
 
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