Lameness workup booked for ex racer, send positive vibes!

[Bobthecob15]

Hi everyone,

I purchased a lovely 6yr old ex racer in the summer, he raced for a few years but was pretty rubbish to be honest so was retired in April as he was 'too slow'. YO bought him, and I bought him from her a few months later. He is the absolute dream to ride and handle, very quiet and un-racehorsey! He has progressively become more stiff on the ground and now under saddle over the past month. He's sound as far as I can tell but he walks...well, a bit like an old man! Stiff behind on the ground and under saddle, he does loosen up after a few mins of trotting under saddle. He finds cantering on circles difficult too, we lose the back end at times so I have tended to only walk and trot. And downhill he really takes his time. I only use him for gentle hacking and very light schoolwork, no grand aspirations other than a low level riding horse.

I understand a lot of the above can be due to the change of use from racing to general riding/hacking etc, he has very little topline too which I know doesn't help...but he seems even stiffer this week...so he's off to the vet hospital for a lameness workup. He saw our McTimmoney chiro today who thinks he is stuff in his hocks/stifles although he did respond well to treatment when she was manipulating him etc. His back isn't tender but I appreciate there are probably a few issues going on and it could all be related. He was definitely worse today, the temperatures have plunged so perhaps if its arthritis that is contributing?

Wish me luck, he is insured which is something! I just want him to be comfortable and not in pain, he's a total angel to handle and ride.

 

[Amymay Again]

Wishing you luck and a positive outcome.

 

[humblepie]

Wishing him (and you) the best.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Very best of luck, hopefully it’s something you are able to help him out with

 

[Barton Bounty]

Everything crossed for you

 

[catembi]

Good luck! I hope it's something fixable!

 

[misst]

Good luck - hopefully it is something muscular that can be sorted easily. Fingers crossed for you both.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Good luck! I hope it's something fixable!

I do too, he’s such a lovely soul he deserves to be more comfortable. Hoping for nothing too serious

 

[Waxwing]

I hope everything goes well for you and your horse.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Hope they find something fixable. Well done for looking into it rather than just pushing on.

 

[IrishMilo]

I assume every ex racer I have has hock issues, because from experience, most do. Hopefully if you have low aspirations for him, he'll come good and it will be a relatively simple fix!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I assume every ex racer I have has hock issues, because from experience, most do. Hopefully if you have low aspirations for him, he'll come good and it will be a relatively simple fix!

I'm sure, goes with the territory I guess!

Workup is next week so I will update after for those who are interested.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Hope all goes well. He sounds lovely.

 

[Birker2020]

Good luck.

When he's been looked at by the vet maybe get a physio out to give you some groundwork exercises to build his core and topline. If he improves this he will be much better all round and stronger. I did this for my boy and four months of six times a week made a lot of difference as you can see from the photos. It's also very good for bonding!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Good luck.

When he's been looked at by the vet maybe get a physio out to give you some groundwork exercises to build his core and topline. If he improves this he will be much better all round and stronger.

Yep I will definitely do this, he's been mainly hacking with the odd bit of school work 2 times a week but I do think I need to be more consistent depending on what they find

 

[Wizpop]

Really hoping that the vets are able to find something treatable- so good that you have insurance behind you too. Got everything crossed for you both. Please update us.

 

[twiggy2]

Good luck

 

[Bobthecob15]

A little update…

Well horses just love to throw a curve ball don’t they?!

Lameness work up today…long story short no lameness or pain or stiffness observed! Basically just weakness, he has little topline and is weak through his back end. He needs lots of work to strengthen his topline and core, physio and a proper schooling/polework plan.

Even his flexions and SIJ were fine, I was shocked! Little tinker must have done something to himself last week as he was definitely not right behind. He’s fine now though I felt so stupid! She didn’t nerve block or xray as no signs of pain or lameness and he was clear on everything.

However she wasn’t happy with his general condition, he’s lost some weight recently, coat looked a little dull to her …and he was reluctant to canter which I put down to him being unbalanced and weak…he could possibly have ulcers given his history of racing etc too. Anyway we’ve decided to scope him tomorrow and see. I’m not convinced as he has no other symptoms but…if he has them then we can hopefully make a plan to treat etc.

So I'm delighted that he’s ok and not full of arthritis or goodness knows what that we can tell, I was honestly imagining the worst!

 

[catembi]

Wow, great news! They do like to test us, don't they...? Mine was supposed to have a 'lameness work-up' even though 100% NOT lame (the issue being that she wouldn't go faster than walk under saddle) and on the day...absolutely hopping lame! I assumed that she'd trodden on a stone/whatever & wanted the vet to ignore & look at what we'd planned to look at, but no, he insisted on nerve blocking the foot etc... Anyway, an abscess burst out of the heel 5 days later and we were sound again.

Her xrays have been sent to horse hosp so we're a step further on in our process...

I hope that you find something treatable! And not too expensive!

 

[Equi]

Well that’s positive

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Sounds like good news for you both.

 

[TPO]

That's great news.

If they haven't already might be worth pulling bloods for a general MOT and to see if there are any deficiencies.

I can recommend Saracen ReLeve mix if he needs ulcer friendly calories.

 

[Bobthecob15]

That's great news.

If they haven't already might be worth pulling bloods for a general MOT and to see if there are any deficiencies.

I can recommend Saracen ReLeve mix if he needs ulcer friendly calories.

Yep they are going to run bloods too just in case x

 

[Birker2020]

Yep they are going to run bloods too just in case x

Better get thst physio out

 

[Bobthecob15]

Better get thst physio out

Yep I’m on it!

 

[SEL]

A little update…

Well horses just love to throw a curve ball don’t they?!

Lameness work up today…long story short no lameness or pain or stiffness observed! Basically just weakness, he has little topline and is weak through his back end. He needs lots of work to strengthen his topline and core, physio and a proper schooling/polework plan.

Even his flexions and SIJ were fine, I was shocked! Little tinker must have done something to himself last week as he was definitely not right behind. He’s fine now though I felt so stupid! She didn’t nerve block or xray as no signs of pain or lameness and he was clear on everything.

However she wasn’t happy with his general condition, he’s lost some weight recently, coat looked a little dull to her …and he was reluctant to canter which I put down to him being unbalanced and weak…he could possibly have ulcers given his history of racing etc too. Anyway we’ve decided to scope him tomorrow and see. I’m not convinced as he has no other symptoms but…if he has them then we can hopefully make a plan to treat etc.

So I'm delighted that he’s ok and not full of arthritis or goodness knows what that we can tell, I was honestly imagining the worst!

I have known gut problems present like lameness - for one ex racer the vet thought he'd broken his pelvis he came out of the box walking so oddly. That one had a course of steroids for suspected worm damage.

Hopefully a course of drugs and yours will be on the mend.

 

[Wizpop]

How brilliant to read your positive news! So relieved for you- onwards and upwards

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks all! Wasn’t expecting it to be so positive, hopefully no ulcers but we will deal with it if there is.

Now just have to put on my brave pants and tow in the snow when I collect him later

 

[Tiddlypom]

Good update, but please don't tow until your route has been cleared of any snow that might have fallen in your parts. The trailer can take on a life and will of its own if you tow on snow or ice, and take you and the tow vehicle with it.

I’m a confident tower with a rock solid outfit, but I won’t tow on snow or ice.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Good update, but please don't tow until your route has been cleared of any snow that might have fallen in your parts. The trailer can take on a life and will of its own if you tow on snow or ice, and take you and the tow vehicle with it.

I’m a confident tower with a rock solid outfit, but I won’t tow on snow or ice.

I know I’m not due to go till this afternoon so hopefully it will be clearer by then! If need be I’ll suck up the stabling costs and collect him Wednesday