It happened again.

[J_sarahd]

I'm so sorry to read this. Can i just suggest that if the SI is sore , that you don't stop there, because the SI is often sore due to hocks and/or suspensories and I feel you need to check the lot, including the hind feet if the suspensories are an issue.

Yeah, I’m just going to get the whole back end looked at. I feel it in my gut that something else is going on, even though most people wouldn’t notice. She’s not lame and she is actually going really well with her kissing spine rehab. I need to trust my gut again, as much as it saddens me to do so.

I’m just hoping that whatever it is can be easily fixed. I’m losing hope on my goal of eventing her but like I said before, if she comes back as a low-level or even just a happy hacker horse then I’ll be okay with that.

I kind of wish we could catch a break sometime soon, but I also know that’s not the nature of horses!!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm so sorry to read this. Can i just suggest that if the SI is sore , that you don't stop there, because the SI is often sore due to hocks and/or suspensories and I feel you need to check the lot, including the hind feet if the suspensories are an issue.

Agree with this get it all checked out.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

ycbm made some good points there.

Best of luck and I hope it's the "simplest problem" possible.

 

[J_sarahd]

I’ll report back on Monday evening as I’m sure I’ll need you all to a) console me, b) give me advice on how to move forward and c) any positive stories of whatever problem(s) we find.

It’s the horrible unknown feeling again that I just hate

 

[J_sarahd]

Currently still sat at the vets but the vet is saying it’s PSD. I genuinely just feel so drained.

ETA: she’s having surgery tomorrow

 

[Timelyattraction]

Currently still sat at the vets but the vet is saying it’s PSD. I genuinely just feel so drained.

ETA: she’s having surgery tomorrow

So sorry to hear that. You’ve been through so much rehab already and now going to have to go through it all again. I feel drained from just getting to the end of our 12 week rehab for psd before our rescan at the vets next week so you have my complete sympathy as i can see youve been through a lot already . They love to break our hearts dont they

 

[ycbm]

Damn, just what I didn't want for you. Sorry Sarah but she couldn't have a more caring owner.
.

 

[Annagain]

I'm so sorry you've had this setback and will have to do yet more rehab. At least the work you've done so far should mean she has a certain amount of strength to aid her next recovery so it hasn't been in vain.

 

[J_sarahd]

Damn, just what I didn't want for you. Sorry Sarah but she couldn't have a more caring owner.
.

Thank you. Yeah, of all the possible things they could’ve found, PSD was the one I was really, really hoping it wasn’t.

I’m glad I listened to my gut but some days I wish I was one of those owners who just “rode them through it” because the emotional toil has been difficult.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Well done for being so ‘on it’ really feel for you though

 

[J_sarahd]

Well done for being so ‘on it’ really feel for you though

Thank you - I am priding myself on how much I’ve listened to her. I feel ready to give up horses forever now though!

 

[AmyMay]

Thank you - I am priding myself on how much I’ve listened to her. I feel ready to give up horses forever now though!

Is there a good return to work prognosis?

 

[J_sarahd]

Is there a good return to work prognosis?

I think it depends on the cause. She is being x-rayed today for things like NPA. I think if it’s conformational (which, knowing my luck at the moment, it probably is) then not really. Obviously this is all just what I’ve gathered from various FB groups and threads on here

 

[scats]

Sorry to hear this. I have a mare with mild but chronic PSD.

 

[J_sarahd]

Sorry to hear this. I have a mare with mild but chronic PSD.

Do you mind if I PM you? I need some clarity on the prognosis of PSD etc

 

[Hormonal Filly]

My Welsh D had PSD, most likely conformation but only in one hind. He had his nerves cut in both hinds. I know it sparks a huge debate, would I do it again? Probably not because he got s major infection in the ‘good hind’ which caused him to always be slightly stiff on that leg where he wasn’t before. He was 1/10th lame prior to op, lacked impulsion.

The Facebook page ‘PSD discussion group’ is great, a lot of knowledgable people on it.

 

[AmyMay]

Can you hold off on the surgery until you have time to gather more information to make a more informed decision and on how you actually want to proceed?

 

[J_sarahd]

My Welsh D had PSD, most likely conformation but only in one hind. He had his nerves cut in both hinds. I know it sparks a huge debate, would I do it again? Probably not because he got s major infection in the ‘good hind’ which caused him to always be slightly stiff on that leg where he wasn’t before. He was 1/10th lame prior to op, lacked impulsion.

The Facebook page ‘PSD discussion group’ is great, a lot of knowledgable people on it.

Interesting, thank you. What level of work did he get back to?

Can you hold off on the surgery until you have time to gather more information to make a more informed decision and n how you actually want to proceed?

The vet basically said shockwave or surgery and that shockwave doesn’t always work. I don’t have the facilities to just turn her away for a year as I know some people have done that for PSD.

I’m trying to gather as much info as possible but there’s just so much of it out there as in people’s experiences are all different.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Interesting, thank you. What level of work did he get back to?

The same work he was in prior, low level alrounder. I sold him and declared everything 3 years ago, he had his nerves cut 5 years ago now. His ‘new owner’ does hacking, funrides, pony club but I’m very paranoid and notice every off step but he looks to be moving well in videos.

My vet told me the same, shockwave which is likely not to work or surgery. I knew there was a chance of nerves growing back but he was only 7, I took the risk hoping he could have a few years pain free in work.

It could be worth a second opinion, my vet back then was a large chain and my current independent vet said he rarely pushes for surgery. Is she lame?

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you

Yeah my vet is one of the big referral vets. I didn’t notice she was lame at first until they nerve blocked her right hind and I noticed a difference

 

[Orangina]

I am really sorry to hear about your horse's diagnosis.
I am no expert so it might not be appropriate but have a look at Indiba as I have heard of success using this instead of shockwave or surgery

 

[nutjob]

One of mine had bilateral PSD, he didn't look lame until one side was blocked. He just wasn't pushing properly from behind. It turned out to be DSLD / ESPA which always gets progressively worse and his fetlocks were already dropping so I was advised not to have surgery and he ended up being PTS.

I had another with hind suspensory problems which I believe were caused / exacerbated by repeated front leg lameness, he had shock wave treatment which didn't help.

I totally sympathise and after all the effort you've put in so far it's so demoralising but I wouldn't be rushed into surgery, especially if you aren't sure if the hocks and SI are OK. I know 2 people who have had horses which had KS surgery and ended up with a multitude of other problems coming to light during the rehab.

Good luck with her I'm very sorry this is the diagnosis.

 

[scats]

Do you mind if I PM you? I need some clarity on the prognosis of PSD etc

Of course you can xx

 

[mavandkaz]

Mine has chronic suspensory issues in all four legs, worse in hinds (along with back issues). It doesn't necessarily mean the end.
Happy to tell you my story via pm if it helps, although you can find a fair bit of it on here if you sesrch

 

[J_sarahd]

Mine has chronic suspensory issues in all four legs, worse in hinds (along with back issues). It doesn't necessarily mean the end.
Happy to tell you my story via pm if it helps, although you can find a fair bit of it on here if you sesrch

Yes please! Any stories are massively welcome

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I do know of someone that is bringing their horse back into work after a PSD diagnosis and rehab of sorts. The real game changer seemed to be treating/injecting the SI though. So there can be a few pieces to the puzzle sometimes.

Sorry that you're going through this, but you're being a great and conscientious owner.

 

[ester]

All the ones I've known have had good results, at least in the medium term, all went back to jumping etc. There was one I wondered whether to ask if SI/hocks checked, decided not to as thought the vet school would have covered that and didn't want to worry owner. 3ish months post OP horse was back in having SI injected.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My Arabi has hock arthritis and a bit of suspensory damage he had it all treated and was fine but his canter was still not great, so my vet then injected the si joint as well and within a week he was much better.

So yes the hocks and suspensory issues can cause a sore si so worth getting it treated as well.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Sisters horse was diagnosed PSD last year right hind, well it shows on the scans as both but only lame right hind and he was kicking out with that leg being picked out.

He wont box rest easily so is not a candidate for surgery so she did shock wave small pen rest and in hand walks, just made sure she took longer than the vets said with each stage and was happy to ho back a stage etc if work got in the way.

He is now up to cantering and working over poles, still has slightly less muscle tone on his rh bum/hip area which vet agrees raised poles to help 'lift' through that area.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Arabi only had slight damage to his and he really wasn't that lame but he had laser for 6 weeks and I was meant to box rest but I didn't, his 20 this year and I made the decision to not box rest him unless it's a life or death situation and he was sound after treatment.