Lame horse update and think I'm losing the plot

[Hullabaloo]

I've been to check on my lame horse. Turns out he's lame on his bad leg - not great but better than 2 lame legs!
The whole situation must be really getting to me. He wasn't being overly helpful when I was trying to feel his legs and in the end I burst into tears and stood their ranting at him about how I couldn't take anymore. Thank god there was no-one else on the yard. He looked totally shell shocked and after I calmed down became really soppy and butter wouldn't melt. After all that, leg felt fine. Anyway rang my vet who wasn't unduly worried and said rest him for a few days as he probably irritated it being a prat yesterday.
I know people are going through a lot worse - at least we think he's fixable. Its just that he's been lame on and off for a year now and all the worry and stress is getting to me.
Please someone tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[welshstar]

I've been there before

Christmas 2005 found out that charlie had cushings, i didn't know a lot about it so i thought that was it and was in floods of tears every day (horrible christmas, so depressing) and didn't know whether out last xc would be our last ever etc. Luckly after lots of careful management he is sound, abeit a long coat all the time and lami at strange times, he is sound and happy so that's what matters. Then this spring he was lame for a few months, i didn't know whether he would actually come sound (would be nearly sound one day then as lame as a dog the next- very frustrating) luckily (but rather loosely!!!) it was pinpointed as navicular so he now has remedial shoeing. I've had to cancel events because of sudden lameness.
It is very upsetting a lot of the time, he can't jump as high any more and can only school for short spurts but is still going well and competing. But no matter how bad it may seem the best thing is just to stay postive. Try to see it as a time to work on your ground relationship, by grooming him etc.
Don't worry no matter how bad it seems, they always find a way to get past these things and you will be out enjoying riding time with your horse before you know it!!!

 

[malibu211211]

Oh been there so many times with D

Stood there tears running down your face saying to him 'why can't you stay sound, please' Then he'd go put his head on my shoulder and I'd blub even more

I made the decision after alot of hard thought that he cannot cope with the work I was asking of him so now he is semi retired at the age of 12

He's happy, he loves to eat, push my friend's yearling around with his head

and go out for a happy hack 2/3 times a week

Not saying I think you should do the same because I don't, it was the right choice for D, he has arthritis in the coffin joint.
On the other hand my friends mare had spent the best part of a year at the age of 6 going intermittently lame with a fetlock joint problem which she had treatment for. Now 3 years on she is hacking, schooling and competing as normal. So there is light at the end of the tunnel

What is the prob with his leg, do they know?

 

[Hullabaloo]

Thanks guys - just having a bit of a downer today.
The leg problem seems to be soft tissue damage in the coffin joint. Xrays of the fetlock, coffin joint and foot have come back clear and nerve blocks of the coffin joint showed 75% improvement. Unfortunately he then declined to have any more nerve blocks

so we haven't got much further. The vet has prioritised his issues and has been dealing with the back problem first as he's been sound in the school up to now.
It just seems all so complicated and frustrating but I know deep downwe'll reach some sort of conclusion eventually! Its good to hear from people who've been through rough times too!