Lameness from the pastern area

[McNally]

I ride the most wonderful horse at work, He is a huge Irish Hunter type but his owner is a dressage fanatic. He is NOT a dressage fan however and it causes him problems with his off side fore. Nerve blocks show the issue is fetlock and below.
What happens is he will be rested due to lameness for 6 months+ then started again but when he gets to the intense dressage he go's lame again.
This time he has been back in work for about 3/4 weeks and i am hacking him out and have to start 10-15 mins in the school after a hack as of Monday. The owner wont ride him out side the school so its solely me that works him. If he go's lame again he will be retired from dressage completely.
This could be great for me as i might be able to have him for my own just hacking horse. However this means i am concerned about the lameness problem!
Its thought he will cope perfectly well with hacking, fun rides etc but i want to help as much as i can with this problem- Its hard as no-one (vet included) can say exactally whats wrong.
Can anyone think of anything? do you think Magnets might be worth a try? or any similar experiences would be good.
Would you take on a horse like this? (bearing in mind if it go's wrong he will go back to my place of work where i will look after him anyway)

 

[lubuzz]

We had a horse with a similar sounding problem on our yard.

It went lame in the pastern area (no one could really pinpoint) and was sent away for tests etc... came back with soft tissue damage that is aggrevated by schooling.

Its completely sound hacking, small amount of jumping, but as soon as it goes in the school... its lame! Vets can only disagnose soft tissue damage that is aggrevated by school work.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Sorry I can't 2nd guess the vet about what might be wrong but I CAN recommend magnets.
I had a 23 yr old mare with arthritis. We were seriously looking at pts as she was on 2xbute a day and she was still hobbling. We tried magnet boots and she was immediately much better. She actually trotted in the first night after wearing them for 24 hrs. I have used the boots on other elderly horses and lent them to other people for horse with navicular and arthritis. They have worked for some horses and not others. My vet says you can usually tell within a short time if they are going to work.

 

[McNally]

I have magnetic patches that velrco into a rug. Last night i ordered a special band from Ebay so they can be attached to spot treat any area on the leg.

Alternatively if these work will magnetic boots such as the Bioflo wraps help or does the magnet have to be directly over the area?

Lubuzz thats good to know- He's a really lovely boy and it would be a shame to see him completely retired especially as he seems to love hacking and i could do with something quiet and trust worthy to accompany my little girl on her pony.- This could work out?!!