lameness behind

[Baluga]

A few months ago my mare started to appear stiff on occasions. As she's 19 we put it down to her age. Then on a couple of occasions when being worked she would look as though her legs had been tied together - not lame, but not right if you get me? She had two weeks off, after her break I trotted her up and she was very lame - but no one could pin point on which leg she was lame on. Vet put her on bute and box rest.
One week later still lame (she remained v lame whilst on bute) had another week of bute and rest again with no improvement.
She developed a hard swelling on inside of her hock and so went off for x rays.
vet was v surprised by x ray as was not as bad as expected and although some arthritic changes, nothing that would cause the severity of the lameness she was showing ans he was pleased with her joints given her age.
He suggested a ligament injury.
mare is still lame behind (3 possibly 4 months on)
I have considered further investigation but given her age I'm in two minds.
I have wondered if it is bone spavin ( I have copies of x rays if anyone knows about these things. I'll be honest and say I haven't the foggiest!)
I'm currently working to find a pain management routine that works for her.
has anyone had similar experience?

 

[be positive]

If she was very lame why did the vet not nerve block her to find out where the lameness is coming from, to at least narrow it down to the correct area, if the vet was unsure which leg it was I think I would be looking at getting another vet.
Bone spavin would show on the xrays, it is likely that the arthritic changes are a form of spavin, if you can see and feel a lump then surely that is the cause of her lameness and it needs some treatment or at least ruling out of the equation, just because she is older does not mean she should still be lame and untreated for so long, whatever it is needs some investigating, if it is ligament damage then it requires appropriate treatment which may be very different from managing arthritis.
Find a vet that you can communicate with and get sensible answers, you may need to be clearer with what you expect.

 

[Baluga]

Firstly I have not, at any point, left her untreated and would not do so because of her age. I have followed advice of both vet and farrier who have been working together. The uncertainty as to do more tests relates to the likelihood of procedures being done if required.
She's quite content being a lady of leisure.

I had second vet out and farrier and none could pin point which leg it was lame on.
X rays were done after both farrier and vet discussed her and was felt it was the best course of action. She had both mid cannon down and hocks x rayed.
lame in walk after a flexion and in trot.
After a few trot ups lameness subsides. Lameness quite clear now to be in left.
To me that says the issue is in said hock. Hence why we all felt it appropriate to x ray rather than nerve blocking on all 4 legs..

The lump is what made me think spavin.

and I must say I'm with my vet on his opinions of ligament damage. Rest and time.

 

[Silmarillion]

Does your vet not think it would be appropriate to refer her for scintigraphy? You can't really treat something unless you know where the problem lies, and scintigraphy should show up the "hot spot" to indicate the correct area to look at. Otherwise R&R is probably the best way forward, though you'll have to be very careful if she comes sound enough to work after a year or two, with bringing her back into work as an oldie with a previous unknown injury. Assuming you're insured or otherwise covered financially, I'd be pushing for diagnostics a bit more before turfing out and keeping my fingers crossed.