lame horse help

Bettyboo1976

Bettyboo1976

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ok guys not my horse but friends on yard and she is at her witts end as to what is wrong with him, he is a 15h arab x ?? mw type 13yrs old and competing fit. he has had his teeth/back bones & saddle all checked and vet has been out as well, he works really well but all of a sudden say 20mins into working he starts going lame on his back legs, this only happens on ridden work and he is completely sound when lunged, even lunging on concrete, First reaction obviously was saddle/back, but these have been checked on numerous occasions by different independant people and all found to be fine.. so what do you reacon? early onset arthritis?

Advice would be appreciated...
 
Yhat would show up worse on the lunge especially on hard surface they go well in straight lines with arthritis.
Arthritis always improves with work they are normally stiff for first 15 mins.
 
not sure what exam the vet did but yes it was an equine vet,

I did suggest to her to ride him bare back and see wether or not he was sound, but she hasnt done this yet as he is rather forward and can sometimes be very sharp.
 
hmm so maybe not arthritis, then...

He has no swellings/ heat or tender points and he isnt unwell in himself,

do you think he could be playing on it.. ie if i pretend to be lame she wont work me?? He i a very intelligent horse and such a cheeky chappie..

As you can see we are at a loss with him..
 
I think I would have the vet out again .I know you have had the saddle checked but sounds like he might have bruising on his back which comes after a period of work.Does he complain or show a angry face when you do his girth up .Thats the only other thing I can think of from personal experience.Hope you find the problem soon.
 
Arthritis can show itself in back legs as if they are being lazy...not necessarily getting better with exercise when they have arthritis - this would be the case if they were getting treatment maybe. They can actually act as if they are tired...they can also shuffle along their hind legs rather than do a full action...

I would get the vet to do a better and fuller examination ie. flexion, movement etc...
 
I have just read sparrows post and agree with the flexation test.I probably described later stages of arthritis in my horse he had real lameness issues by this time.
During the early stages I remember that we thought he was lazy when he didnt track up properly although some of this was put down as his age he was only 4/5 at the time.On reflection he didnt use his back legs properly as sparrow described and that would tie in .I suppose every horse is different mine got better in the early stages after 10 mins schooling then we had a big flare up later.I hope youve caught it early then you can treat it.
 
I did a bute test with merlin to see if he was actually in pain or if he just moved like he does because he has restrictions in his fetlock......

He had four danilon a day for four days, by which time he should have come sound if he was in pain.

He moved exactly the same as with no painkillers so the vet is happy it is mechanical and not pain related.

Might be worth a go???
 
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