How on earth to unpack all of this…

[IrishMilo]

Ex racer, 6. Owned for a year. Persistent tripping issue and has never been able to work on a contact. Teeth done multiple times, bitting specialist came, no difference. I have a great farrier who works with the vet who saw him today, he shoes him with a rolled toe and side clips.

X rays - we did neck, hock, feet, and knees:

- Mild navicular both fronts
- Severe changes C4-C7
- Severe OA both hocks, bone spur right hind
- Old trauma to right knee, poss fracture

2/10ths lame right fore and hind.

I really don’t know how to move forward - I feel in a strange state of shock.

Do I just immediately retire him? Take his shoes off, turn away for 6 months and rehab his feet? (this was the plan before this anyway).

Is anything other than light hacking now cruel?

His sole depth was 2mms with a negative palmar angle each foot. Apparently normal depth is 15-30mms. I’m less concerned about his feet as I know this can be sorted.

But everything else… Argh.

 

[I'm Dun]

Id PTS. He must be in constant discomfort if not pain and I don't think a lot of that list is fixable no matter how hard you try sadly

 

[Bobthecob15]

Id PTS. He must be in constant discomfort if not pain and I don't think a lot of that list is fixable no matter how hard you try sadly

I agree. So sad

What did the vet advise??

 

[pistolpete]

My boy in my profile pic had hock arthritis changes in his c6 and c7 and navicular changes all diagnosed ages 13. He lived and gently hacked another 9 years. Died of colic ages 22. I would say listen to your vet but treat the horse in front of you. They can be very stoic of course and that doesn’t help! Ensure good pain relief while you decide. Give yourself a bit of time too. I’m really sorry you’re going through this.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Persistant tripping, I wouldn't be riding personally. What did your vet advise? How is he in the field?

 

[Birker2020]

Id PTS. He must be in constant discomfort if not pain and I don't think a lot of that list is fixable no matter how hard you try sadly

I agree. He is tripping because he lacks proprioception due to having ECVM which is evidenced by the changes in his neck. This can cause chronic pain in some cases.

I'm so sorry OP.

 

[Ceriann]

No advice but just wanted to say so sorry for the diagnosis but also well done for listening and getting him checked out. It’s such a lot to deal with - take some time as am sure it’s a lot to take in. Hopefully your vet can support with next steps.

 

[pistolpete]

The tripping could be the navicular. Mine stopped tripping once barefoot despite his neck problems.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Just give him some time off and see how he is in the field, maybe try some Danilon for the OA.

 

[SEL]

It's the neck that would bother me the most. Does he trip in the field? How is he on bute?

That's a very hard diagnosis and I feel for you x

 

[LEC]

I just wouldn’t bother carrying on trying to fix. You haven’t even x rayed back or scanned suspensorys which with that list I would expect to be in poor condition. If you look at your list of issues they are all chronically interlinked and keeping up with it all will leave you frazzled. One thing will change and then kick off other issues.

Depends on your circumstances with that you do - space to retire, PTS etc

 

[Tiddlypom]

Oh no .

Whilst I will give a lot of veterinary input inc joint medications to keep my retired neds on as happy pasture ornaments, I would not even start to address the issues with a list that long. And there will be more as yet not diagnosed issues in top of that list.

I’d PTS.

I’m really sorry. Is this the ex racer you bought back as he’s such a nice chap, or am I thinking of another poster?

 

[Archangel]

It must have been a hell of a shock to receive that diagnosis.

He's a lovely horse, in your shoes I would be very torn between retirement with pain/mobility/strengthening back up and calling it a day.

I have a long term retired horse - the cost racks up over time, even with your own land.

 

[cauda equina]

The emotional costs rack up too, with the constant worry and questioning whether you're doing the right thing
So sorry IM - it's a truly crappy situation, especially with such a young horse

 

[poiuytrewq]

I feel your pain. I got the loveliest ex racer and he tripped, was slightly lame on and off, sometimes it was just a “does that leg look off” feeling, others another leg would be visibly lame.
He has C6/C7 narrowing so possibly impingement bug the X-rays weren’t really conclusive. Medicating didn’t help.
Bone scans showed his back but again X-rays weren’t terrible.
I did a year or so of investigations and trying to get him right. Turned away, tried again but he still tripped.
Turned away again for 18 months and tried in hand stuff to see what happened but he went lame.
He has as a very last attempt on Friday Rob Jackson just coming to look.
This is absolutely definitely my final try at anything.
I think you have to consider (which is why I stopped riding) aside from how he may or may not feel pain wise if he trips and face plants the road, what could happen to you? Is it worth the risk.
It’s a really sh*t situation and I’m sorry you’re in it. From where I am 5 years on I’d really say don’t let it rule your life though as o did for a while.
Hugs

 

[Glitter's fun]

Sorry you've had such a nasty shock.
I would give him good pain relief & turn him out for a rest while you process it. You'll be needing to make a decision that you're still happy with in the future so don't rush as long as he's comfortable.
I find myself thinking that a lovely summer off then PTS before the weather closes in might be best for both of you.

 

[Bernster]

I’m sorry that’s a lot to deal with. With the majority I’m afraid. Retirement at that age and with that list doesn’t seem kind. PTS seems the right option but that’s not an easy decision.

 

[IrishMilo]

Persistant tripping, I wouldn't be riding personally. What did your vet advise? How is he in the field?

I agree. So sad

What did the vet advise??

The vet (who was brilliant, and very respected) advised the usual - Arthramid for the hocks and steroids for the neck, although was very honest about how costly they are and it's not just a 10 minute procedure. It's £1000 a pop, every 6-12 months, 'if they work'. In the field he's fine. On the neuro tests he was fine, apart from swinging slightly wide with a hind to the right which the vet said was only a very very low grade ataxia/proprioception issue but 'virtually not there'.

I’m really sorry. Is this the ex racer you bought back as he’s such a nice chap, or am I thinking of another poster?

Yes that's him @Tiddlypom. He really is the most gorgeous, kind boy.

The tripping is mainly out hacking over grass, and if I do any polework with him - raised poles are a disaster for example. Jumping has always been an effort for him unless buzzed up at a show.

I really wish I'd X rayed the spine as well, I might do that anyway.

 

[cauda equina]

He doesn't sound like the sort of ride you need, but could he do gentle hacking with someone else?

 

[ponyparty]

Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to read this that’s rather a lot going on.
I think im with the majority here - but I cannot imagine how difficult that must be to even contemplate for you.
If you do decide to go down the treatment route, perhaps have a cut-off in mind (where that’s time or financial) to see X amount of improvement and don’t pursue further after that? It’s so hard to think about it objectively when it’s your own horse. Really feel for you

 

[canteron]

Another one who’s horses tripping was improved by going barefoot - he suddenly seemed to understand his feet.

You know your horse better than anyone, so take advice but make your own decisions.

If you keep a video record of how he moves as well, this can help to note improvement/deterioration.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Oh dear, what an awful dilemma. As others have said, discuss options with your vet, maybe set yourself a timescale and turn him away for six months to see if growing new feet make any difference. If you are not seeing progress in six months, then difficult decisions have to be considered. So sad when the horse is such a star.

 

[J_sarahd]

So sorry to read this. I think I would go with the majority and pts, even though I know it’s such a difficult decision as I’m in a similar position with just one more thing left to try. It really, really sucks and I’m sorry you’re having to go through this.

 

[Goldenstar]

He needs not to be ridden , it’s not worth the risk of riding a horse like this persistent tripping can kill .
Sadly you are most likely looking at retirement or PTS . If it’s retirement then he probably going to need ongoing veterinary management to keep him comfy .
Turning away for six months is an option but it will be hard work and he will need ongoing help with pain .
Talk to your vet get them to be frank about the ongoing costs you need to understand everything as fully as possible .

 

[dorsetladette]

I'm really sorry your having such a tough time.

I think I'd be inclined to PTS as others have said.

Speak with your vet and see if you can keep him comfy in the short term while you make a decision on the future.

Please don't risk riding him in the interim.

 

[Fransurrey]

Certainly he's not rideable with all that going on. I don't think either of you would enjoy it, even if he was medicated. My heart says retire and try to keep him pain free, but logically you're just delaying the inevitable. I'd give him a few weeks with the sun on his back with pain relief and pts while you can still manage the pain.

 

[lauragreen85]

Turn away for a year, if hes field happy take back in and asses again

 

[nutjob]

I kept riding an older horse who tripped, most likely due to arthritis in various joints. It didn't seem that serious until one day he fell right over on top of me and we were only walking. Luckily it was on grass and he was sensible so we both got up unharmed, he was totally retired after that.

With a list of things that long pts is obviously an option. I would probably try him barefoot in retirement with some in hand walking and see if he seems happy. If you are only aiming for retirement would fusing the hocks be an option rather than injections which need repeating regularly?

 

[Dino7]

Id PTS. He must be in constant discomfort if not pain and I don't think a lot of that list is fixable no matter how hard you try sadly

Absolutely this. The Severe changes C4-C7 alone would be enough for me to come to this decision. Horses are so stoic.

 

[rara007]

What was the hopes for this horse? I wouldn’t be proceeding with him as a working horse tbh.