How to find source of problem??

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lucy16

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My mare had a fall in the field last year (we think), went slightly lame and started to show a change in temperament, from very laid back to being grumpy most of the time.
With lots of visits from vets, chiros and osteos she has been sound for a while now, even though slightly weaker on one side.
However, she seems to be getting more grumpy by the day, has bitten me a few times now (drawing blood through many, many layers of clothes!) and is just not happy in herself. this shows mainly when putting rugs or saddle on, she's fine with being groomed etc.
When I bought her, she seemed very sweet, no sign of any nastiness. (She was only 3 then, so not working.)
So, I suspect there is still pain somewhere but I don't know where else to look???? I think the problem is somewhere between the shoulder and the hips, is there any tests that vets can do to find it? Think it's muscular but the osteo keeps telling me she's ok.
Would like to try a physio but havent yet found a good one in Worcs/Shrop/Glouc. area....???

Not sure if I'm worrrying too much anyway, maybe this is truly her temperament???
 
Have you tried her on a course of bute or something similar? If this is pain related her behaviour may improve. At least then you would know you need to be checking out things more thoroughly with a vet or physio.
 
Lucy16. I can recommend a fantastic Equine Muscle Release Therapist in your area. Julian Gaze. He has worked wonders with my horses firstly when I lived in Glos and lastely now I have moved to Devon. One of mine is an ex racer. he was showing slightly choppy strides in the front and not really working through his back. I tried a local well known chiro on him and was told there was nothing wrong. Julian came down, discoverd he was tight across his chest cradle, worked on him and the difference within 2 days was incredible - I was offered extended trot. Never happened before. A few weeks later I had been working him a much more collected way and was convinced I was not getting the power behind that he was capable of. Again I had a visit from Julian and he was tight behind teh saddle, that was worked on and now I have an amazing moving TB. Julian is totally honest. He will tell you on his first visit if he can or can't help you. He does not just keep treating for the sake of it which is the big problem with lots of back people. If you would like his number Pm me.

I would say it is not her temperament as it is getting worse and is related to specfic actions
 
You say 'lots of visits from vets', but has your mare been away to a specialist vets for a full work-up? If not, I'd ask your vet for a referral to somewhere like the Animal Health Trust at Newmarket (there are others, depends on your location).

I've had both my girls have a week away when there was 'something wrong' but my vet could not say for sure what it was. Both times the news has not been good, but better to know than not.
 
I would also try her on painkillers for 2-3 weeks. If there is marked improvement in her behaviour then it looks like there is an underlying cause. If not, it's behavioural.

If there is an underlying cause it could be a variety of things including, for example, a cracked or broken rib which can be very difficult to diagnose, is very painful, and may have happened when she fell. Your vet should be able to advise regarding further investigations but scintigraphy can be a very useful diagnostic tool.
 
I agree, you should try a veterinary physiotherapist. They can feel all over and use muscle stimulator machines to test the difference in function between different muscles, left and right, etc. You could also try speaking to the Rehab centre at Hartpury College, Glos. You could take your horse there for an assessment? They have vets, physios, farriers, etc and they specalise in rehab following injury.
 
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