Lameness in a yearling... what do I do?

[DPDOT]

Good Afternoon,

My nearly 18month old gelding has been having some soundness issues. The first time was in May of this year when he was visibly Off on his hind right leg. We had the vet (from a different practice whom I am no longer with) out and he said that it was a growing issue and to keep an eye on it. Bute if he seems very bad.

Approximately 7 days ago he presented with unsoundness in the hind LEFT leg and has been this way for the last 7 days, After trotting up and flexion tests at the vets today, my vet has concluded from today's display that there is nothing to be concerned about. Despite agreeing in the videos from over the weekend that he does look off behind.

I trust my vet and believe what he says about TODAY's performance but My issue is that he visibly looks uncomfortable and isn't right on his hind legs ( always weight bearing though) most days for a clump of about 10 days and then is fine for a few weeks/months then this repeats?

Has anyone heard of anything like this? I was going to ask my vet to do some x-rays for peace of mind but I need to be careful due to insurance as I am not sure what they would and wouldn't cover in this situation?

Any input, suggestions on what may be causing this, any supplements to support, etc would all be great fully received!

Thank you in advance!

 

[ihatework]

Is your vet a good equine vet experienced in orthopaedics and youngstock?

The likelihood is it’s nothing serious!

But the one thing you do need to be mindful of is growth issues. Every now and again you need to intervene and restrict movement and food.

Now we on t’internet cannot advise you on that so you need to use a good vet and be guided by them.

On the X-ray and insurance front, you have on your clinical records a lame horse. Irrespective, if down the line you need to make a claim that reasonably links to this period of lameness (like OCDs etc) you might find you are out of window.

Personally, if one of my youngstock had niggly hindlimb lameness I would want to X-ray if they had shown rapid growth spurts. Otherwise I would shut my eyes and wait to see if things resolved naturally over the next few weeks/months and if not then intervene

 

[Goldenstar]

I would restrict movement and food .
Is he on lush grass or getting a lot of supplementary food ?

 

[DPDOT]

I would restrict movement and food .
Is he on lush grass or getting a lot of supplementary food ?

hi, he is not on lush grass no. He gets a palm size amount of speedi beet for dinner and breakfast only. This is literally only because he throws a fit if the rest of the yard (he can see all the other horses) get food and he doesnt!

I have brought him in from 24hr turnout and he is now out 9:30am ish until 3/4pm and then comes in to a straw bed with lots of hay for the night

 

[AmyMay]

How big is he?

 

[DPDOT]

Is your vet a good equine vet experienced in orthopaedics and youngstock?

The likelihood is it’s nothing serious!

But the one thing you do need to be mindful of is growth issues. Every now and again you need to intervene and restrict movement and food.

Now we on t’internet cannot advise you on that so you need to use a good vet and be guided by them.

On the X-ray and insurance front, you have on your clinical records a lame horse. Irrespective, if down the line you need to make a claim that reasonably links to this period of lameness (like OCDs etc) you might find you are out of window.

Personally, if one of my youngstock had niggly hindlimb lameness I would want to X-ray if they had shown rapid growth spurts. Otherwise I would shut my eyes and wait to see if things resolved naturally over the next few weeks/months and if not then intervene

My vet is the go-to vet in the practice for lameness, I do think you are right and I will request to Xray!

 

[DPDOT]

How big is he?

14'1hh and 17months old

 

[DPDOT]

If I was to go forward and request my vet to X-ray both hind legs. Would this be something I could put on the insurance considering they will already know I’ve had the vet out twice for lameness?

 

[windand rain]

Having had a youngster present with bone chips which appeared before she was born I would get a lameness work up including nerve blocks and xrays. She had surgery to remove them and never looked back. Very eminent vet said it was a rare occurence but there was no sign of where the chips came from and they were rounded like small water washed pebbles Hence his conclusion they had been formed in the womb. Surprised me but he is a world reknown expert

 

[TPO]

If I was to go forward and request my vet to X-ray both hind legs. Would this be something I could put on the insurance considering they will already know I’ve had the vet out twice for lameness?

Did you alert insurance when you had the vet out in May and now? Did you claim for the vet bill?

But yes generally speaking further investigations should be covered by insurance as you are still within 1yr of the initial issue.

 

[DPDOT]

Having had a youngster present with bone chips which appeared before she was born I would get a lameness work up including nerve blocks and xrays. She had surgery to remove them and never looked back. Very eminent vet said it was a rare occurence but there was no sign of where the chips came from and they were rounded like small water washed pebbles Hence his conclusion they had been formed in the womb. Surprised me but he is a world reknown expert

This is what I’m worried about, something being there/wrong but undetected because he was “sound” for the trot up and the vets yesterday.
I don’t want it to seem as if I am going against what my vet has said! I didn’t believe he was totally sound yesterday and did mention this to my vet but he said he had no concerns ??‍


Would you suggest I just rang the vets and said look I’m still not happy with him (my horse) I’d like to book him in for this and this?

 

[DPDOT]

Did you alert insurance when you had the vet out in May and now? Did you claim for the vet bill?

But yes generally speaking further investigations should be covered by insurance as you are still within 1yr of the initial issue.

No I didn’t speak to the insurance in May or now as nothing came of either appointments. Maybe I’ll give them a ring later this afternoon and discuss with them!

 

[TPO]

No I didn’t speak to the insurance in May or now as nothing came of either appointments. Maybe I’ll give them a ring later this afternoon and discuss with them!

Someone more clued up than me will no doubt explain it better but thr small print is that you are supposed to declare every vet visit/ailment to the insurers.

Regardless they'll get thr vet records and see that it started in May meaning that you only have approx 7mths left on any related claim. Hopefully nothing that serious that needs that length of treatment.

But yeah you pay insurance for a reason so I'd crack on with finding an answer now

 

[SEL]

You might as well get it investigated. I had a claim refused because it was noted on records 2 years prior she looked slightly lame right fore but she'd had an abscess. Down the line needing X rays and finding navicular damage but claim turned down. I had no idea of the notes from 2 years prior and tbh I couldn't say that niggle wasn't the first sign of a problem in her hoof. If I could turn the clock back I'd have investigated at the time.

 

[DPDOT]

I have just spoke to my vets receptionist, he is not in today but she will put me on the list for him to call tomorrow to speak about booking him in.

The receptionist said while she’s not 100% clued up on insurance she agreed that if it was her horse she’d want it all done now. She said even for peace of mind.

 

[windand rain]

This is what I’m worried about, something being there/wrong but undetected because he was “sound” for the trot up and the vets yesterday.
I don’t want it to seem as if I am going against what my vet has said! I didn’t believe he was totally sound yesterday and did mention this to my vet but he said he had no concerns ??‍


Would you suggest I just rang the vets and said look I’m still not happy with him (my horse) I’d like to book him in for this and this?

Pleased you have got it sorted I just made an appointment with the main man, was registered with the practice for another pony which helped. Our girl was 3 and just about to be backed when she went imperceptively lame from time to time it was starting her that showed it up most as the saddle and rider weight must have exacerbated it

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If you had the vet out in May for lameness you won't be able to claim now unless what they find is unrelated, you roughly get 90 days give or take depending on the company to put a claim in from the date you have the vet out or when you first noticed it.

 

[DPDOT]

If you had the vet out in May for lameness you won't be able to claim now unless what they find is unrelated, you roughly get 90 days give or take depending on the company to put a claim in from the date you have the vet out or when you first noticed it.

Oh shit….

but this is a different leg ? so would that still be the same?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Oh shit….

but this is a different leg ? so would that still be the same?

If its a different leg you should be OK phew ?

 

[DPDOT]

If its a different leg you should be OK phew ?[/QUOTE

May was hind right, now is hind left! May was with a different vet practice so I have requested a copy of those notes.

I have a phone call due tomorrow with my current vet to discuss a plan. I will ask him about insurance too as I’m sure he will have a rough idea. Then I will ring my insurance company.

Thank you so much for all your help! Any more suggestions/help or advice is still welcome and great fully received!