My Horse is a banana!

[Suec04]

i have had my mare for just 9 weeks and in that time she has had bouts of intermittent lameness. Vet came out yesterday as she was bleeding from her vagina and her udders were hot,swollen, cue anti-biotics and danilon or 5 days in case of infection as a small tear was found just inside her lady bits! she was then examined for lameness and vet couldn't pin point the problem as it was only slight. she spoke to the back lady who was on the yard doing another horse and asked her to check her out. seems my poor mare is banana shaped! her left side is really tight. her neck was out of sync, her sternum was to the left and her spine from her loins back was 'zig-zagged' and sore!!! my poor girl I feel so guilty. I have ridden her like that! she was treated there and then and if no lameness in 7 days, will be treated again. we r all hoping that this is why she goes lame. what I forgot to ask is how she got like that? so if there are any 'back'men/ladies' on here that can advise, I'd be very grateful thanku

 

[AdorableAlice]

All horses are born one sided, it is through careful handling, breaking and schooling that a straight horse is produced. Unfortunately many horses are not schooled correctly and the result is a one sided or crooked horse.

With the help of your physio and progressive schooling you will get her straight. Leg yield, shoulder fore, shoulder in, renver and traver plus correct lunging etc. It won't be a quick fix but unless there is a deformed/structural issue there is no reason she can not be corrected.

 

[Shay]

Did you have her vetted? There are probably as many answers for this as there are people reading it - and Alice is quite right that all horses are born one sided - as indeed are people! If it were me I would want to understand a bit more about the mechanics of the injury to her vagina - is it at all possible she could have been mounted before you brought her home and inured in the process?

 

[Suec04]

Thanks AA. Was intending to have some lessons on her once she is feeing better so that we can both be taught how to do those correctly. eg, renver and traver I would have no idea where to start!

 

[Suec04]

Yes Shay, she was 5 stage vetted. the vet thinks she may have rubbed herself on something in her field, a post, tree branch etc. she also asked me if she could have been mounted, but other than the two geldings in the field next to her, I think it is unlikely. I also asked her previous owner and he said no too. the bleeding has completely stopped now and It was only a very small amount though she also has a bruise apparently.

 

[chestnut cob]

If I were you I would get a good, qualified equine physiotherapist, NOT a "back man" or any of those types (no osteopaths or chiropractors, a proper physio) to look at her. They will be able to show you any soreness and unevenness in the muscles and work to relieve it. Then they will give you exercises and/or stretches to do with her; this might be things like pole work, carrot stretches, depending on what they find. They'll also talk to you about how you are and should be riding her, what you might need to change etc. If she really is that bad they might want to see her a two or three times, while you follow their exercise and work plan.

 

[Suec04]

Thanks chestnut cob. the 'back lady' is a McTimoney practioner? is that any better than a chiropractor? she is coming back to see my mare in two weeks for another assessment and will advise on the fit of her saddle plus exercises to do with her providing she isn't lame. I have also been given the name of a very good physio recommended by my farrier so will get her involved too if necessary. thank you for your advise