Is there a future for this horse.... ? (Long sorry!)

[OWLIE185]

As the owner of the horse you know your horse best and if you believe your horse has something wrong with it then you are probably correct.

My advice would be to get your horse referred to a specialist equine veterinary hospital where they have all the diagnostic equipment to establish exactly what is wrong with your horse. (i.e Rossdales)

 

[TBmare92]

Thanks TBmare - Oh I would - I was rather wondering if the person I knew might have a go for free or very little as she has this equipment and is rather keen to show it off! <wink>
Liz

In that case it dose no harm &#128522;! It's just so easy to spend lots but still be at square one it would be lovely if money grew on trees! Really hope it's nothing seriouse and your horse will be back to full fitness soon! Xxx

 

[Blythe Spirit]

I have been in touch with Bourton Vale this afternoon and I think they will give me a second opinion. I have sent them a full case history and list of signs and symptoms - so lets hope I don't get another lecture about my poor riding. Sorry but it really upset me that my vet saw fit to tell me how poor a rider I am. In fact NONE of my instructors have suggested any major changes to my riding or training approach with the horse and all have said I ride the horse well. I am (well was) a qualified AI myself and can certainly produce a nice horse to a basic level. No i am not gods gift to equestrianism and I have my faults but to be fair he must have seen worse riding doing vettings etc. .

 

[Blythe Spirit]

TBmare - yes money would be more fun if it grew on trees! Not too much money to spare but horse comes first!

 

[Aeia]

Could it be the sticky stifles. My horse has failed to muscle up and doesn't really use himself. He's a bit off on his right hind, not lame just not quite right. Previous vets investigated and drew a blank after X-ray's ultrasound etc decided it was probably mechanical. Had a new vet out for something unrelated and he commented on it. He had a good look at him on the lunge and thinks he might have a catching patella. I'd suggested that to other vets but they dismissed it. He came and did an injection into the ligament on Saturday. This causes irritation and then the result is a tightening of the ligament. No idea if it will work as can take a few weeks to make any difference.

Anrea

 

[Blythe Spirit]

I hope it works for you. My vet suggested this as a possible way forward if the locking causes her trouble but he was unconvinced it had anything to do with the current issues. I am slightly of the opinion that once you start doing quite invasive (painful?) things like this to a horse like mine with no real 'value' (ie she is not well bred and is no more talented than the next nice all rounder) that it seems like it might be kinder/more sensible to just let it go and try again with a horse you don't have to do this to in order to do what you want under saddle. This is NOT a criticism of your decision BTW as it all depends on how much you have invested in your horse already, his potential and the desired outcome (if he is home bread sweetheart who is destined to compete at a high level or something I can totally see doing this)

 

[njyr]

I'm sorry I don't have any useful advice but wanted to lend my support. I'm facing a similar dilemma with a horse that was previously diagnosed with navicular 2 years ago and now "not right" behind. Add to that a severe dislike of hacking alone and being terrified of being boxed (despite 18 months of natural horsemanship methods, patience and time) and I'm at my wits end. I don't really have the money to invest in expensive diagnostics (again, the navicular cost £4500) and feel that we are completely trapped with no 'good' options. Best of luck with your second opinion. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Blythe Spirit]

Njyr - that sounds very depressing. for years I didn't have a horse box and my horse does not love to hack alone either (She will but lets just say she would choose not to if she could) - its very hard that advice is often impractical 'box him here' 'just go for long rein hacks' etc I got very fed up of saying 'I can't do that' - so do feel for you. I am off to Bourton Vale vets tomorrow to see what they think. Although over the last two days there seems to have been a little improvement but its still a long way from good. I have also found it hard to convince people that the mare ever did dressage - if I turned up the vets with a warmblood type behaving like she did they would take me seriously I am sure. But a 15hh coloured mare who is bit muddy and came from stow fair (And me with muddy chaps too) I just get 'oh she's being a cob' or 'she's just naughty she did come from the gypsies what do you expect' but 6 months ago this same horse was beating said warmbloods in the dressage arena at Prelim and was ready to go novice and doing half pass at home ....

Anyway winge over and I wish you the very best of luck with yours too - if money is tight perhaps just try some time off and see what happens?

 

[Blythe Spirit]

So i took my mare for her second opinion at BV today and they were really good. Watched her on lines and under saddle. Agreed there was defo a problem (beyond my poor riding!) and guessed stifle or hips so they nerve blocked her stifle first and lo and behold she was much better - cantered 3 circles with NO bucking! So they xrayed and found nothing then ultrasound scan and saw some damage to the miniscus. Only way to see how extensive this is was to do key hole surgery and after that (tomorrow) he says they will be able to give a prognosis. He thinks now 50% chance of some ridden future and 25% chance of full recovery. I will let you know....

 

[kobi]

Insist on a referral to Sue Dyson in Newmarket. I wasted thousands on local vets and wished I'd gone earlier. She will answer your questions.

 

[JJones]

Fingers crossed for your horse. Atleast these vets are taking it seriously.

 

[Dobermonkey]

Good luck, fingers firmly crossed for you both!

 

[Blythe Spirit]

Thanks - v much. I am a bit anxious about her having surgery...

 

[windand rain]

Try not to worry too much about the surgery and a meniscus can either be a quick or very long process but it can be resolved. My old girl tore her fetlock meniscus and it took a good year to fix mostly just resting in the field and box rest for her damaged annular ligament which she had surgery on. She has been completely sound for the last 5 years and does everything she did before the surgery. Jumps up to a meter and dressage and x country She is 19 this year and has no lameness or arthritis in the joint she had surgery on either

 

[Blythe Spirit]

That's encouraging thanks very much

 

[smellsofhorse]

So i took my mare for her second opinion at BV today and they were really good. Watched her on lines and under saddle. Agreed there was defo a problem (beyond my poor riding!) and guessed stifle or hips so they nerve blocked her stifle first and lo and behold she was much better - cantered 3 circles with NO bucking! So they xrayed and found nothing then ultrasound scan and saw some damage to the miniscus. Only way to see how extensive this is was to do key hole surgery and after that (tomorrow) he says they will be able to give a prognosis. He thinks now 50% chance of some ridden future a
nd 25% chance of full recovery. I will let you know....

Although not totally positive at least there is news and a plan.

Keep us updated.

 

[BayLady]

It sounds very much like a sacro illiac injury to me. That is pretty expensive to conclusively diagnose (nearly £4,000 at Newmarket for my WB). You could try thermal imaging if it's a recent injury and that could show hotspots - that is cheap at around £50 - or iridology where you take a high quality photograph of the eyes and get a report done via this. The iridology was accurate for my horse - even spot on which side the injury was on his SI.

I agree with YasandCrystal. Everything you have posted rings true of my mare, who had a serious sacroiliac injury prior to me getting her. No-one knows how she did it but usualy it's a bad fall or slip that sets things off. She was diagnosed initially through thermal imaging, turned away in a field for a year and then I took her on as her owner no longer wanted her. This was 13-14 years ago so diagnostic options have probably come on since then.

It was a long road to get her sound, but she did come sound. It took lots of physio and bowen therapy, a very well fitting saddle (treeless suited her best as she changed shape so much) and she needed to be in pretty much constant work to retain enough muscle behind to stay sound, but she did come back into work. She always found working correctly difficult and struggled to canter on both leads, so we mostly hacked. She brought me many years of fun and happiness doing pleasure rides and trec and just enjoying each others company.

I would push for a diagnosis and go from there, but if it is an SI issue then rehab is possible.

ETA, just caught up with your most recent post, I'm glad that you found something and can move forward with a plan for her.

 

[njyr]

Thanks for your reply, I'm sorry I didnt get to reply sooner but relieved to hear you've a preliminary diagnosis. I've my fingers and toes crossed for the keyhole surgery and after that a straightforward road to recovery. Best of luck. Keep us updated.

 

[Blythe Spirit]

thanks interesting post about the horse with SI issues. The very first time i had the vet to her after her fall they thought SI but this was the junior vet at the practice and the senior vet dismissed this. However yesterday at BV prior to nerve blocks he said the thought either stifle or SI - he said it looked more stifle in the lunge and more SI under saddle. We began by nerve blocking the SI and that block was so effective that he determined it was likely that the stifle was a major issue. The effect was very clear just walking her about the yard her whole movement and walk was improved. And under saddle she felt like a horse that had been going incorrectly for a while but she was suddenly off my leg again and spooking at the scary building site next door. I got on and literally walked 5 yards and said 'this has made all the difference'.
So so glad I got a second opinion and didn't just keep on and on riding an unhappy horse

 

[Blythe Spirit]

OK final update from today - after looking at the damage via key hole surgery a clear tear was found in that area. Vet thinks this is a good prognosis but highlighted that it will be a long road to recovery. he thinks 4-6 months before I can begin to ride her seriously again. but he has helpfully offered to devise a proper re-hab plan for her once they see how she seems to be healing initially. so this is good I have answered my question of 'is there a future for this horse' with 'yes eventually' it may be that I re-hab her with the intention of finding her a less demanding life than I had planned for her. but it certainly seems now that she does have a future. Meantime I have been thinking about filling my 3rd stable with a summer project which may take over from Jess if she is not up to what I want, as I miss riding like anything and I love schooling and training
thanks for all your thoughts! and for encouraging me to get a second opinion - only wish I had done it earlier and not ridden her whilst she was in pain for so long. I knew she was hurting and yet I listened to more 'experienced' people telling me to man up and ride her through it. this is not the first time my instinct has been right - when will I learn to trust myself!

 

[dianchi]

Well that's good news then!
Well done on pushing the point and your horse will appreciate it in the long run!

Nice lil summer project sounds like a good idea, then you can make a call on what next at the end of the summer!

 

[Blythe Spirit]

Yes indeed Dianchi - that's what I thought - get something else going well and then choose between them in the autumn. If Jess can be made happy in her way of going and I expect she can then even if she is not up for more advanced dressage then she will find a nice home as she is basically placid and sweet and gentle (with people)- people always describe her as 'obliging' she has a lovely snaffle mouth and is (when sound) forward and will canter safely in open spaces and precisely the speed you want - no fighting. She is great will almost all traffic (bar tractors in confined spaces) and jumps small fences without too much self expression.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Glad you have a prognosis and a plan. My daughters horse has a similar 'not right' action, difference for us is that he has never been right. We have a seen a fantastic equine physio who had devised a plan for Bill, which thus far is showing improvement and we have set a cut of date at which we will then get a 2nd vet opinion.

 

[claracanter]

well done for following this through for a second opinion.( I still can't believe how that vet put it down to how you rode) Good luck for a speedy recovery

 

[windand rain]

excellent news I told you so I am sure she will make a good recovery now you know what is up. It might take a while but if you have a summer project then the pressure is off this mare. Good luck and I hope you get everything you deserve for taking her seriously and boo to the vet that didnt listen

 

[ReadyToRideAgain:-)]

I'm sorry, I can't read all of the previous comments as my eyes are starting to blur (strange, maybe because I'm so tired) so I could have missed alot..but, your question up at the top, finding a suitable home. I think providing there doesn't seem to be anything wrong in the sense of constant treatment ect you will easily find a home, I know many many people who want horses just to have a little plod, and she sounds fab (manners ect) so yes, I think you could find a good home for her.

 

[TBmare92]

OK final update from today - after looking at the damage via key hole surgery a clear tear was found in that area. Vet thinks this is a good prognosis but highlighted that it will be a long road to recovery. he thinks 4-6 months before I can begin to ride her seriously again. but he has helpfully offered to devise a proper re-hab plan for her once they see how she seems to be healing initially. so this is good I have answered my question of 'is there a future for this horse' with 'yes eventually' it may be that I re-hab her with the intention of finding her a less demanding life than I had planned for her. but it certainly seems now that she does have a future. Meantime I have been thinking about filling my 3rd stable with a summer project which may take over from Jess if she is not up to what I want, as I miss riding like anything and I love schooling and training
thanks for all your thoughts! and for encouraging me to get a second opinion - only wish I had done it earlier and not ridden her whilst she was in pain for so long. I knew she was hurting and yet I listened to more 'experienced' people telling me to man up and ride her through it. this is not the first time my instinct has been right - when will I learn to trust myself!

I'm so pleased to hear this &#128522;!! Glad that you have got a final diagnosis! It's onwards and upwards from here good luck with the rehab &#128522;!! Xxx

 

[Blythe Spirit]

That sounds sensible re the person whose daughters pony is also not quite right. Our big TB has never been right but on the other hand it has never affected his happiness to work - he schools hacks and even jumps ears pricked forward and happy with his legs all over the place. So his issues seem not to cause him pain. With jess though she was not happy to work

 

[Cheiro1]

I am so pleased to hear BV managed to give you a way forward

Fingers firmly crossed for you that she heals up well and comes back into full work