Is this normal? *vid*

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Cinders

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I know this should probably be in veterinary but i thought you knowledgable lot could give me some honest opinions, as i'm a bit concerned about my horse.

Bit of background info...

Last August we bought my 15.2, now 13yo, tb mare as a good allround to make the transition off ponies. Had a couple of months of fun/ getting to know each other before she went hopping lame out of the blue. Had the usual, x-rays and nerve blocks done which was all inconclusive, gave her box rest which made no difference then turned her away on field rest. 5 months later she was still just as lame so we changed vets and got a 2nd opinion. They did key hole surgery on her hind stifle and found she'd damaged the meniscus, which they tidied up.

Was on box rest with in hand walks for 3 months, now on restricted turnout during the day and stabled at night, currently getting 2 x 20 min in hand walks per day. Yesterday i got on her for the first time in 10 months as vet advised changing the in hand walks for ridden walks 3 times a week.

Back in July before she came off box rest she had a check up, trotted her up for first time after op and vet declared her 100% sound, much better than expected as he said they're usually only 60% sound at that stage.

My concern is that she doesn't look right to me, i think she's walking badly know on the supposed 'good' leg. I voiced my concern to vet when she had her check up but he said she was fine. It just seems since she's come off box rest the problem looks worse and whilst her leg that was operated on looks really good the other hind leg looks stiff and short in the stride.

I'm waffling now but my question is do you think there's an issue? my not so horsey parents can't see it and lots of people think i'm over reacting. Plus also because the majority of her time with me has been spent lame i can remember whether this is normal for her or not.

The left hand hind leg (off side) is the one that was operated on.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VxrqdCRw7RQ
 
if you hadnt said all this i would just have said a little stiff in general but good rythmn and overtrack, which appears to be equal on both reins. stop worrying the horse is fine.
 
Great news that you're back on. Don't worry about being paranoid - think we all are at times.

She looks a little stiff in her hindquarters. I wouldn't say there's a vast difference between the two legs. It may just be that the lack of work is causing the shortness/stiffness, especially if it's the first time she's been sat on in a year. I'd just see how she goes - take it steady with her and be cautious. Common sense really.

x
 
Echo other posts, she looks fine but maybe just a little stiff (which you'd expect). Have you had a physio out?
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thank you! So relieved to hear people say she looks fine, was a bit worried incase you all thought she looked awful!

I keep her at home so don't get the opportunity to have other peoples input and this is the first 'proper' injury and rehabilitation that i've had to do so don't want to mess it up!

I'm definitely being careful with her, my first sit on her was for no more than 5 mins as i wanted her to get the feel for being ridden again without pushing it.

eccles- haven't had a physio out yet but will definitely get one out soon!
 
I would also say she ok, just a little stiff. I know exactly what it's like though, my mare fractured her hock last year and I was so paranoid about whether she was 'right' or not when she started back into work. I got my osteo to look at her (I knew she was well overdue a visit anyway as she'd been out of work for nearly 3 years due to having 2 foals and the injured leg). He did find alot of muscle damage which she did at the injury and also with the 4 months box rest, as well as other things. At his last visit, I was thinking she was still a bit unlevel but after he worked on her he said that she had symmetrical flexion in both hind legs and there's no reason she won't come back to full competition fitness (the vets had written her off as a broodmare). He also said to push her on and make her work properly as she could be just expecting it to still be sore/stiff and sure enough she now feels brilliant, really level and free and back to her normal self
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Why don't you get a physio/osteo to look at her and go from there?
 
Hi
She is definately stiff but I would also say lame (only very mild-0.5-1/10) on the left hind. This can be seen by the way she weight bears on the left for a slightly shorter length of time, this can be confused with lameness on the right side to the unexperienced! The best way to assess lameness is walk and trot on a hard surface towards and away from and past the viewer on a straight line and on a circle. Obviously I didn't see your horse at the original level of lameness but I would trust your vets opinion - you are paying for it! And remember a slow and steady return to work is the best way, too many people do to much too soon. She is bound to be stiff/lost fitness after that length of box rest. You obviously care for her and I wish you luck with her rehabilitation.
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Ah i'm a muppet, too late to edit but i meant to say the leg that she had operated on was the right hind leg (off side) not the left leg.

dunbeaconcastle- this was my major concern, i am aware she takes a shorter step with her left hind which worries me all the more because this wasn't even the original lame leg! It's something new this as she was literally hopping lame on her right hind originally before the op. She's going for another check up in a week so will get vet to have a proper look at her. thanks for your input.

calzy- glad your mares doing well! will definitely get a physio to take a look at her, thanks for your opinion.
 
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