Kissing spine and hock arthritis in 5yo

[BonnieGB]

Looking for some experience/advice.
My 5yo ISH has been diagnosed with 4 severe kissing spines requiring lig snip surgery, and severe hock arthritis (2 joints in one hock affected).

She is severely reactive under saddle, to the point where she is dangerous and not rideable as soon as weight is in the saddle.

Discussions with the vets indicate this will be a difficult recovery as treatment of the hock is difficult in a horse of her age. Additionally, we can’t know if the hock will hold up to ridden work as we can’t ride her until the back is operated on, but we can’t rehab the back effectively if she is lame on the hock.

I feel like I’m in a catch 22 and am sadly looking at PTS as an option, just not sure if all this treatment/surgery is worth the risk and in her best interest. But would like to see if there is anyone out there with similar issues that have been successfully managed to give their horse a pain free ridden life.

 

[Birker2020]

Looking for some experience/advice.
My 5yo ISH has been diagnosed with 4 severe kissing spines requiring lig snip surgery, and severe hock arthritis (2 joints in one hock affected).

She is severely reactive under saddle, to the point where she is dangerous and not rideable as soon as weight is in the saddle.

Discussions with the vets indicate this will be a difficult recovery as treatment of the hock is difficult in a horse of her age. Additionally, we can’t know if the hock will hold up to ridden work as we can’t ride her until the back is operated on, but we can’t rehab the back effectively if she is lame on the hock.

I feel like I’m in a catch 22 and am sadly looking at PTS as an option, just not sure if all this treatment/surgery is worth the risk and in her best interest. But would like to see if there is anyone out there with similar issues that have been successfully managed to give their horse a pain free ridden life.

Have her hind tendons been scanned? Thinking possible PSD and then that might make your decision easier (not that its easy at all, but you know what I mean). Sorry x

 

[BonnieGB]

No they haven’t, could that be an underlying issue? They did mention it when in for investigation but didn’t end up scanning as said they were satisfied that the arthritis and kissing spines were likely the root cause of the issue.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

No they haven’t, could that be an underlying issue? They did mention it when in for investigation but didn’t end up scanning as said they were satisfied that the arthritis and kissing spines were likely the root cause of the issue.

Quite often the suspensories behind can be affected and a sore si joint I would check these before considering surgery.

As depressing as it is I think you need to know exactly how much is going on because its all connected unfortunately.

 

[TheMule]

In a yong horse with all these issues at her age and a learnt pattern of dangerous behavior, I would not hesitate to PTS. Sorry

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn’t hesitate to pts.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

If I had a 5yr old that was so severely compromised already I wouldn't waste money attempting any sort of rehab. Just not worth it for you or the horse. I would PTS.

 

[SEL]

I'm so sorry. Your vets sound like they are being honest with you about the prognosis and it doesn't sound very promising.

 

[ycbm]

The "snip" is not a snip it is a chisel driven deep between the DSPs (I have a picture of my own horse with the chisel in place) . It is now known to destabilise the spine and I would never have it done to another. In your shoes, and you realy are in a tough place with a horse this young, I would have the horse PTS.
.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would pts, I'm afraid, the prognosis doesn't sound good and the rehab would most likely be horrible for both of you. Losing a young horse is an awful experience as I know to my cost but it can be the best decision for the horse. I'm sorry you are in this position.

 

[IrishMilo]

It wholly depends on your financial outlook, how much time you're able to invest and how much you like the horse. Like you say you've got two things working against each other, and while neither is impossible to improve, but I think you'll always have a physically compromised horse in a degree of pain.

 

[BonnieGB]

Thanks all for the honest advice. I think I knew the answer anyway but didn’t quite want to admit it - she’s so lovely on the ground. This is also a horse who passed a 5 stage vet this time last year!

 

[Birker2020]

Thanks all for the honest advice. I think I knew the answer anyway but didn’t quite want to admit it - she’s so lovely on the ground. This is also a horse who passed a 5 stage vet this time last year!

It totally sucks doesn't it? I am very sorry.

If you really don't want to pts a young horse you still have the option of the blood bank which I'd not hesitate for a young horse, as long as your vet feels the horse can be kept pain free. I assume like Lari the horse is only in discomfort or pain if riding is attempted.

 

[BonnieGB]

It totally sucks doesn't it? I am very sorry.

If you really don't want to pts a young horse you still have the option of the blood bank which I'd not hesitate for a young horse, as long as your vet feels the horse can be kept pain free. I assume like Lari the horse is only in discomfort or pain if riding is attempted.

It really does!! Unfortunately the hock will deteriorate without medication so although she is field sound at the moment it’s unlikely she will continue to stay so. I would rather PTS than donate and hope for the best as I have no control once she’s not mine anymore.

 

[ihatework]

I retired one this year at 5 who had nowhere near the extent of issues of yours. 1 x ks and some behaviour escalating in specific circumstances under saddle. Time and time again I have seen people try and operate/rehab and it rarely goes brilliantly. Time has taught me to cut losses even though it’s a gut wrenching decision.
If mine had been showing the extent yours has, she would have been pts.

 

[Birker2020]

It really does!! Unfortunately the hock will deteriorate without medication so although she is field sound at the moment it’s unlikely she will continue to stay so. I would rather PTS than donate and hope for the best as I have no control once she’s not mine anymore

Ah I see. What a shame, you really have no choice by the sounds of it. I'm very sorry.

 

[tda]

I agree with the other answers, poor young thing, so sad for you x

 

[Indefatigable]

I was in this exact same scenario w a 5 yr old a couple of years ago. He was a stoic and always looked after his rider inspite of the pain he must have endured. When I and my v good vet decided to PTS it was almost as though he knew and thanked me for it. Horses - they really break your heart

 

[HopOnTrot]

My mare had 4x ligament snips last year and her hocks injected this year (for low level arthritis), but she is 21, she also has EMS so needs to keep “fit”, we have retired from jumping (not that we did a lot or of any height) and will keep canter to straight lines only but she is making the physio happy at the moment.

It probably wouldn’t be much of a life for a young athletic horse though.

 

[Equi]

I would not consider attempting to ever work a 5 year old with that amount of arthritis. I’m afraid I wouldn’t even be considering the operation.

 

[Hallo2012]

another (sad) vote for PTS, so sorry

 

[Zoeypxo]

I would not consider attempting to ever work a 5 year old with that amount of arthritis. I’m afraid I wouldn’t even be considering the operation.

Very sad but have to agree with this, sorry

 

[tinselbobs]

I’ve had two with KS and hock/hind end problems and I ended up PTS for both as the two conditions work against each other.

One was originally diagnosed with hock arthritis and I pushed for tendon scans and he ended up showing severe PSD in both hinds which made up my mind to PTS. He was only just 7 so I feel your pain with a young horse.

As someone previously mentioned it may be worth scanning the hinds to help make up your mind.

Sorry you’re going through this, horses are so heartbreaking.

 

[Landcruiser]

You are on a hiding to nothing with that diagnosis. Sadly, I would also PTS.