Horse unable to get up in field...(also in NL)

[Silverspring]

I'm posting this on behalf of a friend.

We had a bit of a drama at the yard during the week when an old horse was found in the field lying down. The YO gave him 10 minutes to see if he got up but when he didn't she went down the field to check him.

He wasn't able to get up, was getting his front legs out in front but just didn't have the strength to go the rest of the way. She called owner who headed over after calling vet (owner is a vet nurse) she arrived about 30 minutes later and the vet arrived shortly after. He'd been down for at least an hour by the point.

Short history on this boy is he's about 27 yo TB type about 16.3. He had bad colic as a young one and had some intestine removed, always looked a bit ribby and under condition as he just doesn't eat enough. He got a bit 'staggery' as he got older and doesn't have much muscle on his back or quarters. He gets accupuncture every couple of months which seems to help keep him moving more smoothly.

So backl to the drama...The vet listened to tummy etc to see if it was colic but all was fine, they tried everything to get him up but he had started to twitch and heave (the vet thinks it may have been due to circulation being reduced being down for so long)

The owner decided to PTS after half an hour of struggling to get him up, the vet got the injection ready and rolled horse over in order to get a better vein. One turning him over the horse tried to get up again and on the second attempt struggled to his feet!

So now she's in the situation were she doesn't know what to do, she's really worried it will happen again and was hoping someone on the forums might have experience and could maybe recommend a treatment or supplement that might help keep him supple. Any suggestions welcome!

Cookies for getting this far!

 

[Shilasdair]

I am afraid I would suspect that it is just a sign of old age, in that the back end tends to get weaker, and isn't up to making the effort required.

In the short term, I would suggest turning the horse out in a field with a steep hill, as he will be able to manouevre himself to his feet much more easily. Also try to strengthen his back end muscles by feeding him up (if at all possible) and perhaps taking him for short walks in hand.
In the long term, I think his future has to be considered carefully.
S

 

[Silverspring]

Thanks for the reply, I'll suggest it. I think they have him out in the flat paddock as they think him standing on a hill constantly will make him stiffer. I'm not really sure what's the best tbh, I agree with you that the hill would help him get up but not sure if it would make him stiffer

it's a nightmare situation, going to pass on all suggestions, I feel I can't give an opinion as it could make the situation awkward if she doesn't like what she hears.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the reply, I'll suggest it. I think they have him out in the flat paddock as they think him standing on a hill constantly will make him stiffer. I'm not really sure what's the best tbh, I agree with you that the hill would help him get up but not sure if it would make him stiffer

it's a nightmare situation, going to pass on all suggestions, I feel I can't give an opinion as it could make the situation awkward if she doesn't like what she hears.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are welcome - the hill thing isn't my idea, all the people I've known with veterans insisted on hilly fields for that reason. It might help build a bit of muscle to strengthen his hindquarters too - but a short term solution only.
I think it is time she considered having him PTS.

If it were me, I'd start talking to her about having him PTS in vague terms, then gradually move it to 'before the harshest part of the winter sets in', and maybe gently suggest it earlier if he can't cope at the moment.
She may actually be relieved if you tell her, as she may be almost waiting for someone objective to give her permission, if that makes sense?
Good luck with it - not a nice task for you.
S

 

[teddyt]

Trouble is, if you turn out on a hill the horse may get cast. Would also be tough on an old horse if its got arthritis (highly likely). Very sad situation but it depends on quality of life and the horse must be very weak/stiff if it cant get up. I hope your friend can be brave and make the right decision

 

[MurphysMinder]

I had a pony from the WHW. She was very arthritic but coped on a low dose of bute, however at 34 years of age she started having problems getting to her feet, she managed on her own but became more of a struggle as the summer wore on. I had her pts in the October of that year, I did not want her to get to the state where she could not get up one day and was stuck down all day.
I think your friend maybe needs a nudge in the direction of making the right decision for her old horse. Far better that he go with the sun on his back when she is there than to find him on the way out weak after a long struggle if this happens again.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Our old boy had this problem in his stable and we had to call out the Fire Brigade to hoist him to his feet, he had almost given up. From then on he had access all areas during the day (verges and banks were well manicured by him) and put in with his field mates overnight. A few weeks later he was down in the field and after trying everything possible, I fetched a lunge whip and as soon as he saw it coming he got up! I know this may be contraversial, but none of my horses have ever been beaten with a whip or threatened at any time.

The next day he began a four week course of Cartrophen, one injection per week, plus one bute each day, daily massage with electronic massager, and he lasted another 2 years. Two days before he died at 41, he was cantering up the field, in good health, pain free and happy. It was a sudden colic on the final morning.

It is personal choice and everyone is different. Better a week early than a day too late is my rule of thumb, but if they are happy, eating, painfree and socialising, Im happy to wait for them to say 'enough'.

Vibes to your friend and strength for her to make the right decision for them both. x

 

[Puzzled]

Maybe try bute (if he's not already on it). Just a thought but if he'd been lying down that long he may have lost sensation in the legs on that side (a bit like getting pins and needles) and hence was able to get up when he was turned. I've found the vitamin b supplement made by equine america an excellent appetite stimulant which may encourage him to eat, I'd also try blue chip. Hope it all works out, it would be nice for him to have a summer if he can be kept pain free.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

You can't fight old age. He will go down and get stuck again. In the short term when it happens, you can roll him over to his stronger side to help him get up (most find it easier to get up from one side rather than the other). In the longer term PTS before he has to be PTS where he lays. IMO leaving it that long means you have allowed your horse to suffer to a certain degree. The 1st pony I ever rode (not mine) had to be PTS lying in cold wet mud, heart breaking for all concerned (as all felt guilty for leaving it that long) and miserable for him.

 

[oln]

I would agree a bute a day or even every other day can make a big difference, worth trying and keeping a careful eye on him. I wouldnt put him on a slope in my experience they are more lightly to get cast. So long as he has a more lively fieldmate[not a 2 yr old] he will take some gentle exercise to hopefully keep things going as long as possible.

 

[bailey14]

I had to make a decision about my ten year old WB gelding when he was diagnosed with Wobblers Syndrome at Liverpool. The consultant said he'd never be ridden again and it was best to have him put down. I asked if he could live a life out in the field and he said it wasn't a good idea because if he had of gone down he would have really struggled to his feet. I suddenly had a horrific image of him lying there in the rain or snow unable to get up for hours until he was found, cold, wet and in pain. After that the decision to have him pts was easy and he was put down by injection whilst he was there. My horse was ten which meant he hadn't really had much of a life and I was prepared to give up my dreams of jumping so that he could live. As I am a one horse owner I couldn't afford another horse, but felt he was owed a another chance at life, but I feel that a horse in his late 20's has had a chance to live a good, long life, and it would be kinder to PTS whilst he still has a nice quality of life - if that makes sense.

 

[hairycob]

An old pony in the field behind us kept having trouble getting up after a roll - especially if she went down the "wrong" way on a slope. In the end, one very hot day she couldn't get up & YO called the Vet. Vet wouldn't do anything until he had spoken to owner. Owner was hard to contact as she was out of mobile contact. In the end the horse suffered for 2 hours before being pts.
The lessons I learned were:
1) When any of mine get to the stage where they can't get up it's decision made.
2) My YO always has a letter allowing them to authorise treatment in the event I can't be contacted.
My sympathies are with the owner, the long slow declines are so much harder to deal with & know you are making the right decisions than the sudden catastophic illnesses are. Perhaps a bottle of wine, a box of tissues and a heart to heart chat are in order.

 

[imafluffybunny]

My 25 year old started to struggle getting up in the field, he was found a couple of times and had to be helped up, he had arthritis so we decided to pts, he was on a daily dose of bute anyway but we fully buted him up for a few days and he came bouncing out of his stable every morning, then we had him pts. I am so glad we did it when we did, he didn't suffer, he had a really good last few days and the thought of having to pts sleep while he was on the ground is awfull ( I recenty had to do this to my young comp horse who was paralised in the field)
PTS while the horse still has a reasonable quality of life. xx