Is it time to call it a day..... sorry long one.....

[CPW]

I have a beautiful Trakehner 12 years old gelding, who has the temprement of a saint that I brought three years ago. For the first year, although a saint to do anything with under saddle schooling he had real behavioural problems. I put it down to being difficult/testing me but very quickly I realised there was something wrong after trying quite a few things, having him professional schooled, natural horsemanship, horse whisperer etc.

I got him referred to Rossdales and after a weeks diagnostics this showed damage to both hind suspensories and a boney spur on his sacroilliac. He had surgery and three months off work then gradually built up the work under saddle - mainly hacking. After a couple of months he went very lame again so I took him back to Rossdales and he had a steroid injection in his hips, this didn't work so he went back in and had a nerve block to encourage use of the joint and to build up the muscle, I was told this would last six months.

For the first four months after the injection he was fab - I did only hacking mainly in walk in straight lines and he seemed to be going really well. He then came down with laminitis due to seedy toe (probably caused by undue pressure because of problems behind or lots of box rest), and has just had five months off work. He has now been back in work for 6 weeks and I don't think he is right, he feels stiff at first but then does loosen, I got a knowledgeable friend to see him trotted up over the weekend and she said he was striding evenly but dragging the bad hip toe.

Throughout this time he has been checked by a Chiropractor every couple of months.

Although I love this horse to bits, and I know he could be fantastic he has a real mental block when it comes to do anything in the arena, this is obviously due to being in pain for sometime - but is this still mental or physical issues (I think these problems have been going on for years) so he has never really proven himself as a dressage horse, he is a wonderful hack tho!

My issue is after spending lots of £ do I call it a day and either retire him or just find someone who wants to hack a couple of times a week or do I fitten him up for a few more months with hacking in the hope that this will build up his backend and then see if he is up to it.......

 

[_jetset_]

I completely understand how you are feeling and where you are coming from.

My mare was diagnosed with inflammation to the suspensory in her left hind, then came down with colic and required surgery followed by surgery to the suspensory in March. She has been back in work now since the end of May (well, it started in May but I would still say she is still not completely fit yet as I have taken my time. While she is sound, she is dropping her left hip ever so slightly, so we are off to the specialist again this week to have it looked at. It just feels like a never ending saga...

 

[BigRed]

It doesn't sound like you have had much use out of this horse for the 3 years you have owned him and it sounds very unlikely he will ever be a competition horse, so I would accept that bit of bad news. Whether you can get him sound enough to hack is debatable. If you can get a guide from your vet about how much discomfort he is in, you can make a decision about retiring him. I can't see how you could pass him on to anyone, he sounds too poorly for that.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I agree with tracey01 CPW. You have moved heaven and earth to try to get your horse healthy, pain free and sound but it sounds as though there's not much more that can be done. It does sound odd that he's such a wonderful hack but acts as though in real pain in the arena. I can understand that some school movements would use different muscles but if he can enjoy an easy hack, I'd still expect him to be able to comfortably cope with an easy 20 mins in walk in the school. It makes me think there is something else going on here that might be all in his head. Even so, you have explored every avenue to try to get it sorted and he is still unhappy and unsound. The big questions are (1) can he ever come sound (2) what pain levels/quality of life does he have now/in the future and (3) can you afford to retire him. We all know what would happen if you sold him on or even gave him away as a companion.

It's not easy, it never is, and whatever decision you come to, some people will try to tell you it is the wrong one. But if you could find honest and realistic answers to those questions, maybe it would lead you to the right solution. He's your horse and your responsibility so do what your head and heart tells you is right. I've been in that position a few years ago and it's awful. Remember though the Forum watchword which is better a week too soon than an hour too late xxxxx

 

[OrangeEmpire]

I have a TB who at aged 14 became lame after a long layoff from a leg wound. He has arthritis in his neck causing hind leg lameness which became more pronounced as his fitness deteriorated.

3 years on he has a carefully managed exercise regime and does light schooling (as a kind of physio) and hacks with the odd canter if the ground is right. But actually altho his work load is limited, he does incredibly well (touch wood) and is coping very well on NoBute, altho I may have to introduce Bute this winter, just to help him along a bit.

Having been in your position, I'd say he'll probably always have a gait abnormality, but if you get him fitter and stronger, he may well surprise you by how much he can do.

I'd advise against simply retiring him tho as muscle wastage is their worst enemy. If he's coping with his current workload why not see what happens over the next few months? It took a year for Jack to regain his strength after his diagnosis.

 

[CPW]

Thanks everyone, I really value others peoples advice and suggestions - it really helps! It is such a difficult one as on one hand I feel that with the correct/slow work he could build up enough muscle, not to be a dressage horse but to be in some sort of work and feel happy in doing it - on the other hand I don't know whether to just stop now as I would prefer to have him as a field ornament rather than not have him at all! Obviously on the basis he is comfortable enough to be retired.

I do walk him round the school for 20 mins or so, especially now the weather is getting bad and he is fine with this, it has been previously introducing the trot work when he has become difficult.

If only they could talk.......

 

[dozzie]

My horse has Sacroiliac problems too. So I understand about the problems in the school.

The best thing for mine is to keep her in work all the time. I dont have to ride everyday but every other day if possible.

You have to keep the muscle tone up in the tummy and back to help him to carry himself.

Do you have a physio as well as a chiro? I was given exercises to do in the school which i havent done for a while but i am going to start them again as i cant ride as much now.

The problem i have found is that if my mare has time off she loses the fitness really quickly and it is very frustrating. She hasnt been doing as much lately and she is bunny hopping again and has thrown in the odd buck! It is soooooo frustrating!

I suspect the box rest has caused loss of muscle tone in your horse and hence the symptoms are coming back.

So I would keep working him and work with your instructor to improve him through the back as much as you can. Avoid box rest if possible! And keep him out as much as you can.

Retiring him completely will possibly do more harm than good for the sacroiliac problems but you would need to speak to your vet to really make a decision on this.

I must admit though i am the same as you in thinking can this go on for much longer. Oh to be able to afford not to work! Maybe i should just put her in foal.

 

[MrsMozart]

Suspensory ligaments. My story is not so good, so if you don't feel up to it, don't read on. My mare is four. I've had her for a year and she's been in light work (me being gentle with her and bringing her on slowly). She lost muscle over her off-side quarter, went lame every now and then especially after 'hard' work - hard was not really hard, just in relation to what we normally did. Hated trotting in the school or cantering. Would trot and canter on a hack, but prefered to walk. This became more pronounced over the year I have had her. The short story is three days with Sue Dyson at Newmarket (Animal Health Trust), susponsory ligaments chronically and severlly damanged: my Tiggy is to be PTS this week. She is not suited to being a field ornament, to her it offers no quality of life: she wants to be out and about and in the thick of it. I tell the story only because I have become paranoid about 'unexplained' lameness or things not being quite right - if it ever happens again, my first port of call is my vet for a referral to somewhere like the AHT. Sorry to be such a misery. I hope your horse comes sound and that you have many years with her, either as a happy hack, or as a field ornament if that is what she is happy doing.