Torrie
Member
My 11yo horse has been having intermittent lameness. It appears to be his left hind, however changes between both hinds and occasionally the left fore. Sometimes he moves lovely, the next minute he is unlevel, then fine again. He is also avoiding flexing on bends (we assume to keep some weight off the inside hinds).
Vets are puzzled and suggested..:
- bute.. with no difference
- continuing work as normal (as lameness wasn't severe, was more unlevelness than lameness),. however continued and interfered with training
- xrays.. xrayed hind hocks.. slight changes but nothing worth noting
- nerve blocked the left fore.. made no difference.
a few days ago he had his left fore cannon injected (i've just had a mental block, but think it was with some kind of anti-inflammatory/painkiller..) and had both hind hock joints steroid injected and he is now on box rest for a few days before being brought into ridden work (walk only) next week to see if they have made a difference. They have also suggested try to have shod differently in front and have heel extensions on his hinds (which are currently barefoot).
Has anyone else had a similar experience? or have any theories/suggestions. Hopefully the latest attempts from the vet will be the answer, but would be interested to hear from others, as the vets are stumped. He was only doing normal work, ridden 3/4 times a week, either dressage lessons or some jumpwork in the sand school. He's always had a short almost shuffly movement behind for the 2 years i've had him (described by a dressage trainer as a tart in a mini skirt), but was put down to conformation and has improved through proper schooling.
Vets are puzzled and suggested..:
- bute.. with no difference
- continuing work as normal (as lameness wasn't severe, was more unlevelness than lameness),. however continued and interfered with training
- xrays.. xrayed hind hocks.. slight changes but nothing worth noting
- nerve blocked the left fore.. made no difference.
a few days ago he had his left fore cannon injected (i've just had a mental block, but think it was with some kind of anti-inflammatory/painkiller..) and had both hind hock joints steroid injected and he is now on box rest for a few days before being brought into ridden work (walk only) next week to see if they have made a difference. They have also suggested try to have shod differently in front and have heel extensions on his hinds (which are currently barefoot).
Has anyone else had a similar experience? or have any theories/suggestions. Hopefully the latest attempts from the vet will be the answer, but would be interested to hear from others, as the vets are stumped. He was only doing normal work, ridden 3/4 times a week, either dressage lessons or some jumpwork in the sand school. He's always had a short almost shuffly movement behind for the 2 years i've had him (described by a dressage trainer as a tart in a mini skirt), but was put down to conformation and has improved through proper schooling.