How far DO you go? lameness

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SecondLifeOnHere

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Hi all, not a frequent poster on here, in fact I’ve come back after a while (and under a different name as I forgot my first one!) anyway, I have a 14yo H/W cob, confirmation far from perfect, but nothing drastic, about 3 years ago diagnosed with ringbone (front) and after remedial trimming and shoeing (front)(on in summer, off in winter) he’s back as sound as he will ever be. He has always had slightly choppy paces behind, partly ‘cobby’ paces, partly due to his confirmation. For the past 18 months or so he has suffered from abscess after abscess (same recurring) in his near hind, farrier very good and we get him sound, only to crash back down again. Last week I noticed he was a bit ‘off, but even though I can clearly see it’s near-hind again, both back leg’s look choppier (this is all in walk!) than normal. My own suspicion is the arthritis is now making it’s way throughout, and it will be starting in the back legs too, but also the confounded abscess is back. I gave him bute on Thursday and Friday and he was back happy as normal, however I know this masks abscesses very well, so have laid off this, and he was ‘choppy a little’ yesterday, but apparently almost on 3 legs first thing (a friend turns out), although he had walked a lot of this off by the time he got to the field. I’ve both the vet and farrier coming tomorrow so we can try and sort an action plan out, he’s a heavy horse, and anything I do is completely for his benefit (by this I mean that I know I will have to make a decision one day, which will be for him not me). Now, I know I need to wait until vet/farrier have been tomorrow, but WWYD long term? In the past when he first showed signs of arthritis etc, he ended up on a v. high dose of bute, this is now down to 0 unless I can see he’s not 100% comfortable, when I will give him a small dose. He’s not ridden often as I don’t have the time, sadly, and he’s a little ‘special’ to handle on occasions, and we tick along happily as we are . He’s been through a few operations etc in his past, and in his vet’s words ‘has put up with a lot, but is a stoic big chap’, how far do you go?? Munchies & tic-tacs if you get this far!!!
 
Thanks, yes, in my haste to dash that essay of I missed off he's on glucosamine, and has been for 3 years, it's more the abscess scenario together with everything else that is concerning me more TBH, I'll be completely honest and say I have never had a horse with one before in my life, so for him to start brewing them after owning him 12 years was a bit of a shock (I thought he had broken something when he came in lame the first time it was so chronic!) :o Roll on morning.
 
Is he at all overweight? Have you had him tested for Cushings? I would suspect laminitis iscausing the abscesses in that foot. Often it can present in just one foot, particularly if it as had to compensate for pain elsewhere. Is he insured and if so, does he have any exclusions?
 
Sounds like my boy, hes been retired for a year now after being diagnosed with severe DJD. He was on bute but after a reaction now looking at alternatives. There's no way he'd even be a ridden horse again but he's currently happy living out his retirement, and I wait the day he tells me he's had enough. If I can minimise his pain and keep him comfortable to plod about the field, when he can't do this then for me that will be enough!! Good luck with whatever u decide its not easy :/ x
 
Hi all, thanks for replies, he's not overweight, certainly not fit, but not fat, Wagtail, his exclusions are ostioarthritic, and anything around his more personal regions! Vet and farrier due tomorrow at 9, will certainly ask re keratoma, not thought of that. Was hard watching him tonight and not wanting to give him bute to ease it. Thanks all
 
Alot of horses are suffering from reoccurring abbesses due the the wet ground, soft feet. Adding a supplement for feet may help.
 
Sorry for delay in responding, yesterday was a little hectic! Long and short of it is; arthritis is likely spreading slowly, but isn’t any cause for concern, will continue as is for that. He was extremely stressed when I arrived at the yard yesterday, in a lot of pain, and very glad (for once) to see the vet and farrier. Heavy sedation, and dug slot of sole out, abscess burst, has tracked in a few directions, but 99% confident all out – was deemed to have dug deep enough at this point. 50/50 on cause, may be because even though we’ve thought we have ‘got it’ every time, a small end of a track has been missed (not difficult on feet his size!), and re-occurred, however the other 50% is possible pedal infection. If it re-occurs in a few weeks he will be admitted for them to scrape the bone, and go from there. He’s much more happy, and inclined to bear weight now, which is a relief, he’s a big lad, vet confirmed he is not overweight at all, but is built like a bull  he’s on box rest, which won’t make him in the least happy, but tough. Hot tubbing and poulticing, and bute, farrier back on Saturday to re-assess. Thanks to everyone who’s voices thoughts and ideas, I am very grateful, I must be the only one hoping this snow IS coming, as he won’t want to go out then, and might behave slightly!
 
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