How far would you go to keep a light hack sound?

! Hackinghappy!

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This is the question I'm facing at the moment with mine.

On top of livery costs we have £110 for shoes every 6 weeks.

Vet suggested regular x-rays of her feet and shoeing adjustments.

Possibly shockwave therapy - 6 courses costing £800. Would probably need done every year as effects are short lived.

Yearly steroid injections as they seem to wear off within a year or less.

Regular physio and saddle checks (which she'd get regardless of whether or not she was lame but would need increased frequency).

I've lost my riding mojo and my time and mental capacity to deal with this is limited (pre children, fixing her would have been my number 1 priority) and it feels like I'd be spending a small fortune just for the sake of a couple of short hacks per week (based on my available time and her capabilities).

I've suggested to vet that I remove shoes and just retire - he's suggested to remove shoes and just bute when I do want to ride.

If circumstances were different (I didn't have kids and other commitments and pony was more of an all rounder) I'd throw the kitchen sink at her but I just can't and it feels very all or nothing - with no real guarantee's that all of the possible treatment would solve the issue.

It's just so hard to know what to do!
 

! Hackinghappy!

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I told the vet if I needed to bute to ride she'd be retired. She would be perfectly happy to do so!

I'm angling towards temporary retirement and then if/when my kids are a bit older maybe revisiting the situation. She's only 11 bless her!
 

! Hackinghappy!

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Issues are with suspensories - she has chronic bilateral PSD on both hinds along with dorsopalmer imbalance of front feet, dorsoplantar imbalance on both hind feet.

She also has above the knee twists on both forelimbs - one mild, one moderate.

Basically, she doesn't seems to be put together well enough to do any real work without some sort of ligament strain/rsi.
 

! Hackinghappy!

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The thing is (to my mind at any rate), If they’re that buggered, they’re buggered and no amount of money will make it better. I wish vets would be a bit more honest and realistic at times.

Yup I think she's buggered. Vet did say even with an unlimited budget she might not come 100% sound due to confirmation issues - but then again she might.

She would be more than happy to retire.
 

ycbm

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Issues are with suspensories - she has chronic bilateral PSD on both hinds along with dorsopalmer imbalance of front feet, dorsoplantar imbalance on both hind feet.

She also has above the knee twists on both forelimbs - one mild, one moderate.

Basically, she doesn't seems to be put together well enough to do any real work without some sort of ligament strain/rsi.


OK, with all that info I'd retire her. In fact I'd probably PTS but I accept that do tend to go for that option more easily than other people. She's a lucky girl you will give her a retirement.
.
 

! Hackinghappy!

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OK, with all that info I'd retire her. In fact I'd probably PTS but I accept that do tend to go for that option more easily than other people.
.

Thing is, she's perfectly happy. Loving life and not seemingly in much/any discomfort when not ridden - vet doesn't even think she's that sore when being ridden but only she knows.

I can't yet justify pts. Much as I slightly grudge the cost of keeping a field ornament on full livery - unfortunately she can't live out 24/7 as she gets super fat - so much so vet wants to test for EMS ?
 

Mrs. Jingle

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I also think I would remove shoes and turn away for a year or so, so long as she is able to be comfortable and happy doing so. Then see how she is and how you feel too.

She will still be a relatively young horse and wouldn't be the first written off horse to come back from a year or so enjoying Dr. Green far healthier and ready to resume a useful low level ridden career.
 

! Hackinghappy!

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From your other posts about advertising/selling her, I don't think your heart is in keeping her going so retiring is a good option.
Agreed. The fact that she became unsound just after I'd drafted her for sale add says it all.

That said, I'm glad this happened before she was sold on as I am the one that has the history of her issues and get to make the decision on what to do. Dread to think of what could have happened if I had sold her and this happened.
 

Bellaboo18

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Agreed. The fact that she became unsound just after I'd drafted her for sale add says it all.

That said, I'm glad this happened before she was sold on as I am the one that has the history of her issues and get to make the decision on what to do. Dread to think of what could have happened if I had sold her and this happened.
Hmm that was only a week ago ?
 

splashgirl45

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i would take shoes off and turn her out to give you time to think about the best thing to do. with all that is wrong i wouldnt expect to ever ride her again and if she was mine i would give her some time out in the field and if no improvement PTS... its a hard decision but who knows how uncomfortable she is?
 

Bellaboo18

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Yes it was. Vet was out on Wednesday this week after new sharer felt she was reluctant to go forward in the school. Why the confusion?
Just that if she's only gone lame in the last week, I wouldn't be so quick to assume she'll need yearly steroids and yearly shockwave.
Anyway confusion aside, I think the retirement option sounds a good plan. Good luck.
 

throwawayaccount

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its tough and financially draining keeping a non ridden horse going, especially when they are young. I can relate as I've retired my 10 year old mare this year due to a number of issues. she had all sorts of treatment under insurance but like an earlier poster stated it would be better if vets were more upfront and realistic about any ridden careers. it was a costly journey to say the least,

I keep mine on DIY assisted with the odd full livery day, she's 'sound enough' to be a field ornament so I'm keeping her going for as long as she is comfortable.

sorry you're in this situation :(
 

! Hackinghappy!

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i would take shoes off and turn her out to give you time to think about the best thing to do. with all that is wrong i wouldnt expect to ever ride her again and if she was mine i would give her some time out in the field and if no improvement PTS... its a hard decision but who knows how uncomfortable she is?
Thanks.

I'm actually ok with the not riding - possibly because I've not got the time for it that I used to.

I get your point about the discomfort -she's very forward walking out, happy to have the odd hoolie in the field and bright eyed and alert but she's also very stoic which lead to me acting later than I probably should have when the issue first arose.
 

! Hackinghappy!

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Just that if she's only gone lame in the last week, I wouldn't be so quick to assume she'll need yearly steroids and yearly shockwave.
Anyway confusion aside, I think the retirement option sounds a good plan. Good luck.
She was diagnosed with the PDS and hoof imbalance over 12 months ago. Not a candidate for surgery due to her poor conformation so steroids and remedial shoeing was the treatment.

She had a lameness assessment in September just to assess status and she was slightly short on her worst hind leg but vet wasn't overly concerned then last week sharer noticed issue and vet reassessed.

Unfortunately we have limited options available - vet advised that the affects of shockwave or steroids will only ever be short lived so would need to be a regular thing - yearly was his estimate based on experience with other horses. Shockwave only has a limited success with hind limb PSD to start with so tbh I might not even have tried it.

I think my overall point is how far do you go before you have to admit it's not worth it. Especially when you have no guarantee that anything would work.
 

splashgirl45

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maybe it would be best to turn her away for a while to give you time to think , she shouldnt put too much weight on this time of year and you could have a good look at her before the spring grass to see how she is doing and make a decision then. if you are happy to keep her as a field ornament you may have to manage her turnout during the summer so she doesnt put on too much weight. good luck with whatever you decide
 

! Hackinghappy!

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its tough and financially draining keeping a non ridden horse going, especially when they are young. I can relate as I've retired my 10 year old mare this year due to a number of issues. she had all sorts of treatment under insurance but like an earlier poster stated it would be better if vets were more upfront and realistic about any ridden careers. it was a costly journey to say the least,

I keep mine on DIY assisted with the odd full livery day, she's 'sound enough' to be a field ornament so I'm keeping her going for as long as she is comfortable.

sorry you're in this situation :(


Sorry to hear that. It's pants isn't it!

The vet at the hospital who treated her was definitely more pragmatic whereas the practice vet was keen to advise on all options although to be fair didn't push for any of it to be done.

I do think they live in an idealistic world thought where they assume all horse owners can provide everything the horse needs. He was slightly concerned about retirement due to her weight and the risk of EMS/laminitis but I told him I'd cross that bridge if I came to it and I can't let that dictate my decision.
 

! Hackinghappy!

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maybe it would be best to turn her away for a while to give you time to think , she shouldnt put too much weight on this time of year and you could have a good look at her before the spring grass to see how she is doing and make a decision then. if you are happy to keep her as a field ornament you may have to manage her turnout during the summer so she doesnt put on too much weight. good luck with whatever you decide
Thanks.

I think that may be an option.

We have a plan for summer. Usually she comes in to be stables but yo is going to set up a small paddock for her so between that and muzzling she can stay out but not get (too) fat.
 

throwawayaccount

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Sorry to hear that. It's pants isn't it!

The vet at the hospital who treated her was definitely more pragmatic whereas the practice vet was keen to advise on all options although to be fair didn't push for any of it to be done.

I do think they live in an idealistic world thought where they assume all horse owners can provide everything the horse needs. He was slightly concerned about retirement due to her weight and the risk of EMS/laminitis but I told him I'd cross that bridge if I came to it and I can't let that dictate my decision.

yeah it's tough for sure :(

its hard finding the ideal retirement yard too, my mare is similar in the fact she doesn't like being out all of the time and likes her home comforts. summer is a different story, but autumn/winter she's ready to come in. I think you have to weigh up if its affordable/suitable for you to keep yours going, its different for everyone and you've done such a kindness by investing the time and treatment you have- so don't be too hard on yourself x
 

Bellaboo18

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She was diagnosed with the PDS and hoof imbalance over 12 months ago. Not a candidate for surgery due to her poor conformation so steroids and remedial shoeing was the treatment.

She had a lameness assessment in September just to assess status and she was slightly short on her worst hind leg but vet wasn't overly concerned then last week sharer noticed issue and vet reassessed.

Unfortunately we have limited options available - vet advised that the affects of shockwave or steroids will only ever be short lived so would need to be a regular thing - yearly was his estimate based on experience with other horses. Shockwave only has a limited success with hind limb PSD to start with so tbh I might not even have tried it.

I think my overall point is how far do you go before you have to admit it's not worth it. Especially when you have no guarantee that anything would work.
Ah, I see, sorry. With all that, I'm not sure you're left with much option other than retiring. The psd group on Facebook is full of friendly advice but not many people seem to rate shockwave either. Indiba seems to get more recommendations but rehabbing is hard! and even harder when a horses conformation is working against you. Sorry you're in this position x
 
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