Lack of performance wwyd

[Jacksie]

My horse started with very subtle changes in the autumn of last year. Became progressively lazier and then started to carry his tail slightly to the left and didn’t want to cross his left hind fully on a tight circle. He was sound when trotted up, even on flexion. We found he had both squamous and glandular ulcers and have treated these. He’s been back to the vet for a lameness work up as I want to ensure we’ve ruled out a cause. He was slightly lame on his left hind this time but not enough to block and see enough of a change. X-rays showed very minor arthritic changes to his hocks which we’ve now treated but I’m aware they may be a red herring. My vet has suggested a bone scan if I still wish to explore things further but I’m unsure what to do. He is now less sluggish and his tail is now nearly central. He’s a stressy type. I don’t want to put him through the process of going into a horse hospital for further assessment if he doesn’t need to but am worried I may not have found the cause yet. WWYD?

 

[SEL]

If he's looking straighter after having his hocks treated and nothing else is obvious to the vet then I'd start physio and a slow, steady strengthening programme. Either he'll improve or you'll have more to go back to the vet with.

 

[ycbm]

I would just scan with ultrasound for PSD if you haven't already, before you invest too much time and emotion in a hock rehab.
.

 

[Jacksie]

Thanks both. Ycbm do you mind me asking why PSD in particular? I’ve not got any experience with it so please excuse my ignorance!

 

[ycbm]

Thanks both. Ycbm do you mind me asking why PSD in particular? I’ve not got any experience with it so please excuse my ignorance!

Because the forum is littered with stories of people who rehabbed hocks only to find that they weren't the only problem, and PSD is often missed because it's an injury hidden up in the bony parts of the hock and also it often doesn't respond to flexion tests and sometimes not to nerve blocks, I think because of the physical tightness in the area.

Personally I would also check the SI function, for similar reasons, and neither of those checks should cost a fortune.

I hope your rehab goes well.
.

 

[Jacksie]

That’s a really helpful explanation, thank you

 

[FlyingSkye]

Have you had any bodywork done? As others have said the SI joint could be playing up so getting that checked over with a professional would definitely be something I would look into. A very slow rehab starting from the ground to focus on stifle and abdominal strength will also only help you in the long run.

Hope everything goes well!!

 

[IrishMilo]

I would do exactly as YCBM suggested - scan suspensories and treat the SI.

 

[Jacksie]

Thanks both. I’m going to do as YCBM suggests and am considering body work as an additional measure although my charted physio (qualified and very well regarded) didn’t find any other issues when she visited a few weeks ago so am unsure which type of bodywork to look at.