Just help!!!!

[keekee]

I recently put on a post about kissing spines! Well it gets worse… I bought what I thought was my dream horse in April I stupidly didn’t get him vetted as the dealer explained that u can pay £100s on a vetting and they could drop dead tomorrow ? so I just had eyes heart and teeth checked I was super excited he was far different from any of my other horses he was a big strapping cob Iv only ever had crazy warmbloods but now I’m older and carrying extra weight he looked perfect!!! It wasn’t untill the weeks after he came to me I started to notice strange things his gate was odd he struggled to get down snd roll in the field he was very uncomfortable about even seeing a saddle even if it was for a different horse I had the physio out and saddle fitter both advised ulcers so I called vet but there scope equipment was damaged and I couldn’t get him seen b4 my holiday in June so I had his shoes off turned him away and fed him a ulcer supplement then come June whilst I was on holiday my holiday livery had him scoped and I opted for back X-rays too the verdict was he had grade 4 ulcers and mild kissing spines in 2 vertebrae ( I’ll attach image ) I contacted dealer but they declined any responsibility so I continued to get him treated and ulcers are now gone we’re rehabilitating the back the problem area has been injected we then proceeded to do a lame check to which we found hock issues so they have been medicated my physio now thinks front legs should be X-rayed just to rule out any more issues and quite frankly I’m exhausted ? I’m struggling to bond with this poor horse as he’s so grumpy and has probably lost all faith in humans today I contacted the previous owner who said she will have the horse back but with these supposed issues she won’t b able to refund!!! In all honesty I don’t want to return him in worry they would just sell him on again but how much more can go wrong and can this poor horse ever be expected to carry a rider again?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Many horses recover from KS and go on to have a riding career. Please dont give up hope, sometimes it seems exhausting but you will get there ?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Don’t give up my horse had a old injury when I bought her and was so hard to do anything with now she’s absolutely amazing nearly a year later!

 

[Ratface]

I'm so sorry that you're having such a difficult time with your horse.
Thank Heaven that you're not going to return him to the unscrupulous dealer.
I hope that your horse will feel more comfortable in time, and that you find a way to enjoy your relationship with him.
Best wishes.

 

[Birker2020]

Many horses recover from KS and go on to have a riding career. Please dont give up hope, sometimes it seems exhausting but you will get there ?

I agree. I'll tell you my story as I'm going through the same -my dream horse that I bought in October last year has had his hocks, coffin joints, si and KS medicated. I've ridden him about 15 times! The vet says he has issues with his hind suspensories but I've opted not to have the operation, I just can't go through anymore rehab, i had on and off years of it with the last horse. My vet said he should never have passed his vetting. It's been a total rollercoaster of a ride and I've been so down about it all so I know what you are going through and the difficulties you have been facing.

I suspect Lari may have gastric ulcers, he was a competition horse with an extensive record prior to covid and has had many homes so I'd not be surprised. He doesn't have many symptoms of ulcers other than girthiness (which may be due to his back) but I've decided to try him on a new supplement as recommended by Barton Bounty called calcium bentonite. Bentonite clay lines the stomach and digestive tract. It detoxifies the system especially when on long term medication and helps the bacteria of the intestines and body’s general constitution. He was on Protexin Acid Ease but someone told me it doesn't work on the hind gut so I thought I'd try this product.

My horse has been grumpy doing the girth up since I had him, he was like that on the viewing, but he's been a bit better since he's had his spine medicated. He's started being ridden by a friend and has been ridden about six times now and seems more chilled and relaxed so I'm hoping my ice vibe boots will help with the PSD. I want to eventually get back on him, so I'm hoping for a dream ending but to be quite honest not sure we will get there.

Your horse probably has coffin joint pain too. Horses like humans overcompensate. KS, SI and hock issues all go hand in hand and a lot of horses that have hock issues will have been pulling themselves along instead of pushing from behind and will be overdeveloped muscle wise in the shoulders. They will often have coffin joint issues too, this one has and my last one had too. I dread how much my insurance premium will be in October! I think it will just be a case of accident only insurance.

Don't give up on him. If my horse doesn't come right he's off to retirement livery and I'll go without another because I want him to be happy and can't bear the thought of selling him (even though he's sound now and he might be ok for a pro rider).

It's annoying and frustrating and has damn near finished me off but I love the bones of him and if the owner said tomorrow she'd give me all my money back if I returned the horse I wouldn't even consider it for one second.

I hope he comes good for you. You just need to do all you can and try, but I feel your frustration and pain, I really do and if you ever want to vent I'm only a private message away x

 

[Green Bean]

You will prevail through love, understanding and patience. Your bond with your horse will be second to none once to come through this hardship. The time you spend with him now, just the two of you, is the single most important journey. I speak from experience as I had to go through several challenges with my horse but know now that these times, whilst frustrating and soul destroying, created a bond second to none. Good luck

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Try not to give up yet a friend bought a very expensive horse last year and she had KS, ulcers front feet issues, teeth problems and it took months to get it all sorted she had surgery for the KS in the end, she is back being ridden and the horse has been fine so there is hope.