Ned's lameness, what do we think?

Shantara

Shantara

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I'm in a serious strop with Ned. He smashed the fencing in his pen down today. It actually wasn't his fault this time, but I am still furious! We discovered a wasps nest was the problem, as he was being attacked. Poor boy.

Anyway, until the wasps are gone (Farmer has got a man out to do it today) Ned will have to go out in the field again.

I managed to get a video of him (annoyingly) dashing about. What do we think? How bad do you guys think it is? I'm finding it very hard to tell as I've been looking at him every day for weeks, I need fresh and more experienced eyes.

I'm still looking for other yard and actually found one that would suit him perfectly, but it's full :( bum! They've put me on the list though!

Please be nice though, I'm in a very fragile and volatile state!

(He's the one in the red head collar, with two white hinds, btw...I realise there are a lot of horses and ponies all dashing around XD)

[youtube]kMIoAds5ibI&[/youtube]
 
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It is impossible to make a sensible judgement. He could just be jarred up or something much more sinister is going on. Is there a small paddock or a pair grazing set up you could use. The herd seems unsettled and dashing about is not going to help him.

The only way to get a definitive answer is a work up, nerve block, xray and scan. Good luck with him, I really hope you can get to the bottom of it all and he returns to work and gives you lots more fun.
 
Ah, they had settled before I left, it was just because I put him back in there after a week or so, I guess they wondered where their leader had gone to! Unless something drastic happens, they're usually all very quiet. It's just his jumping that's the problem.

Yes, I really need him in a small paddock with just one other, but sadly I can't set that up just yet. I was hoping to put him in a field across the farm, but I was only told today it has no water!!

I'm trying to get the vet out on Thursday for that, hopefully she'll do it this time, or I'll be going to a different vet.

Thanks :) I really miss doing stuff with him. Not just riding, but all the other fun we used to have :( I've done absolutely nothing with him for 2 months :(
 
Nightmare! I agree with AA regarding his lameness in that it needs diagnosing properly. Some people can sit and wait, see what happens with rest. But it is obviously doing your head in not knowing (as it would mine ((control freak))! )

Hopefully they'll stop belting about, the ground is so hard it won't do him good :(
 
Well he's noticably lame. It's really impossible to assess how serious it is likely to be as most horses react differently to injuries (Fergs was sound for two weeks after taking a massive chunk out of his radius, I've seen horses with similar injuries hopping on three legs). Given the amount of time this has been dragging on for, you need to get to the bottom of it with a full lameness work up from a good vet, which may well not be your current one. I'm still struggling with why she didn't offer you this in the first place, so I wonder if you might be better off seeking a recommendation for another vet without bothering with this one. Your call, there, obviously.

I really wouldn't be happy with him out in that herd if he were mine. Couldn't you take water to the opposite field? Too many horses, too much activity and space to do more damage to that leg :(
 
Persephone said:
Nightmare! I agree with AA regarding his lameness in that it needs diagnosing properly. Some people can sit and wait, see what happens with rest. But it is obviously doing your head in not knowing (as it would mine ((control freak))! )

Hopefully they'll stop belting about, the ground is so hard it won't do him good :(
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Yea, it's all settled down within 10mins, as I said to AA, they are normally a very quiet herd, but putting Ned back in there fizzed them all up! Silly things.

It's a real strain on everything, not knowing. I was stupid not to get the Xray last time the vet was out. The corrective shoeing and rest seems to have helped, but you're both right, I need to know what's going on inside.
 
JFTD said:
Well he's noticably lame. It's really impossible to assess how serious it is likely to be as most horses react differently to injuries (Fergs was sound for two weeks after taking a massive chunk out of his radius, I've seen horses with similar injuries hopping on three legs). Given the amount of time this has been dragging on for, you need to get to the bottom of it with a full lameness work up from a good vet, which may well not be your current one. I'm still struggling with why she didn't offer you this in the first place, so I wonder if you might be better off seeking a recommendation for another vet without bothering with this one. Your call, there, obviously.

I really wouldn't be happy with him out in that herd if he were mine. Couldn't you take water to the opposite field? Too many horses, too much activity and space to do more damage to that leg :(
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They in fact put me off doing it. I had asked for an Xray, but she said she didn't want to waste my money. Since I am struggling slightly with money, I took her word for it. However, I honestly don't care how much it'll cost now, I'm going to do what it takes to get him right and do it asap!!

It'd be VERY hard to get water to the other field. It's about a mile away from the yard and I don't have anything to put it in. I will look into that though. I'm also on the list for another yard and a parks trust field.
 
Thing is, once you know, it doesn't matter how bad or not the answer is as you can treat it appropriately, for the best outcome.

You are just treading water until then unfortunately x
 
Ok so noticeably lame, and in far from an ideal situation unfortunately. Just because they settled while you watched it doesn't mean he hasn't spent the last half an hour galloping around. In a word Nah, your vet sounds like total horse poo. Get rid, ASAP!
 
Nah said:
They in fact put me off doing it. I had asked for an Xray, but she said she didn't want to waste my money. Since I am struggling slightly with money, I took her word for it. However, now I honestly don't care how much it'll cost now, I'm going to do what it takes to get him right and do it asap!!

that is exactly what makes me doubt their judgement - you need a diagnosis and they aren't helping you. You understandably took her advice, most people trust their vets. Unfortunately not all vets deserve their trust. I'd be hesistant to trust any vet who didn't support your desire to get a dx given the length of time you've been stuck with him off games

It'd be VERY hard to get water to the other field. It's about a mile away from the yard and I don't have anything to put it in. I will look into that though. I'm also on the list for another yard and a parks trust field.
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Water container, £25 from your local saddlery. Surely someone on your yard has one? I have dozens, if you were closer, you'd be welcome to a loan of one or two :rolleyes:
 
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Hi Nah - sorry about Ned and that you are finding it difficult - I know how it feels when you worry so much about them I've certainly had my fair (unfair) share of problems - it has in the past made me literally ill with worry and I haven't been able to concentrate at work.

I just wondered about the corrective shoeing? What did the vet say it was correcting and if there have been no xrays of feet etc. what is she basing the corrections on? In terms of money would his insurance cover it? My horse has so many exclusions it probably wouldn't but it would seem not good for you to spend money on corrective shoeing if it is unclear what it is correcting? Sorry if I have missed a post that explains it. :)
 
JFTD said:
Water container, £25 from your local saddlery. Surely someone on your yard has one? I have dozens, if you were closer, you'd be welcome to a loan of one or two :rolleyes:
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Ha, love your reason for editing :P

That's a thought, I will persist about the field. It would mean I wouldn't have to be involved with all the bl**dy yard drama, which is putting extra emotional strain on me. Another problem is the grass is faaar too long, about up to my knees! I might see if the farmer would be willing to make it into hay...I think he was thinking about it. I know YM wants me gone, not surprisingly.
I will ask what vet my friend uses (I stole her farrier and he was amazing) and see what they say.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I'm amazed the vet has gone down the corrective shoeing route with no diagnosis. Is that normal?
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The explanation she gave me was that his hooves were too far at an angle and he needed to be more upright. She said they would certainly be hurting any problem he might have in his knee...I don't know if that makes sense, but it seemed to at the time!
 
Nah said:
Ha, love your reason for editing :P

That's a thought, I will persist about the field. It would mean I wouldn't have to be involved with all the bl**dy yard drama, which is putting extra emotional strain on me. Another problem is the grass is faaar too long, about up to my knees! I might see if the farmer would be willing to make it into hay...I think he was thinking about it. I know YM wants me gone, not surprisingly.
I will ask what vet my friend uses (I stole her farrier and he was amazing) and see what they say.
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What can I say - my stream of consciousnes isn't very grammatically correct today :p

Long grass isn't the end of the world if you can't get it topped or cut for hay - it should be stalky and relatively low nutritional content, assuming you're concerned about weight gain.

Don't start me on yard drama - there's a reason I'm a social recluse in my own little place! Getting out of it will be good for both you and Ned, assuming he settles ok in the other field.

Remember the local boards on here and the likes of carefreegirl/other local posters who could probably recommend someone if you don't get anywhere with your friend. You'll get to the bottom of it - eventually - you just need to surround yourself with professionals with Ned's and your best interests at heart (and that clearly doesn't mean you YM, and quite possibly not your current vet, judging on what's been said).

edit: or listen to Aus, I'd take her recommendation re: vets any day. I think she's in a very good position to judge...
 
You can buy water containers from camping stores, we have then when we go to polox tournaments, three of them does two days water in big tugs in the turnout. They are not expensive.
 
Can you move vets and get the full work up done? Speak to them about a payment plan, I had nearly 4k of vets bills on an uninsured horse and they let me do a payment plan :)
 
JFTD said:
What can I say - my stream of consciousnes isn't very grammatically correct today :p

Long grass isn't the end of the world if you can't get it topped or cut for hay - it should be stalky and relatively low nutritional content, assuming you're concerned about weight gain.

Don't start me on yard drama - there's a reason I'm a social recluse in my own little place! Getting out of it will be good for both you and Ned, assuming he settles ok in the other field.

Remember the local boards on here and the likes of carefreegirl/other local posters who could probably recommend someone if you don't get anywhere with your friend. You'll get to the bottom of it - eventually - you just need to surround yourself with professionals with Ned's and your best interests at heart (and that clearly doesn't mean you YM, and quite possibly not your current vet, judging on what's been said).

edit: or listen to Aus, I'd take her recommendation re: vets any day. I think she's in a very good position to judge...
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If I could take Ned today and put him in the field at the bottom of the garden, I would! I've begun to fear my phone, in case it's someone getting at me about Ned. They're so over dramatic too! I got a text saying he'd destroyed all the fencing and I need to get up there NOW!! I panic and my heart is racing the whole way...turns out he snapped one bit of wood that I took 5mins nailing back on...huff..

I think I'll give Carefreegirl a text too, I hate to bother her with Ned issues, but she might know of a vet/yard/field/someone who could help :)

Thank you, everyone! Apart from one friend, no one in "real life" seems to care at all or have any idea what to do...I'd almost forgotten how good this forum is for advice!
 
JFTD said:
or listen to Aus, I'd take her recommendation re: vets any day. I think she's in a very good position to judge...
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Snorts! Is that because I provide enough work for my vets (Yes - I have several!) to take Caribbean holidays every year?

NAH - I work in the industry, and spend a lot of time working with vets who contribute to my articles. I select my tame vets on recommendations from sources at the RVC and other places, and Buckingham Equine are recommended to me pretty much every time I ask.

If you do use them, can you find out if Andrew Wallace is single for me ;-)
 
Sparklepony said:
Can you move vets and get the full work up done? Speak to them about a payment plan, I had nearly 4k of vets bills on an uninsured horse and they let me do a payment plan :)
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Another fab idea that hadn't crossed my mind! I hope it won't amount to 4K but it would help a HUGE amount to have a payment plan. Thank you :D

ROMANY - Yet another good idea! Will have a look in Go Outdoors :)
 
Auslander said:
Snorts! Is that because I provide enough work for my vets (Yes - I have several!) to take Caribbean holidays every year?

NAH - I work in the industry, and spend a lot of time working with vets who contribute to my articles. I select my tame vets on recommendations from sources at the RVC and other places, and Buckingham Equine are recommended to me pretty much every time I ask.

If you do use them, can you find out if Andrew Wallace is single for me ;-)
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PMSL!! Will do! Though if I think he's lovely, you may have to wait your turn ;)
 
Auslander said:
Snorts! Is that because I provide enough work for my vets (Yes - I have several!) to take Caribbean holidays every year?
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Yep :p

Nah said:
If I could take Ned today and put him in the field at the bottom of the garden, I would! I've begun to fear my phone, in case it's someone getting at me about Ned. They're so over dramatic too! I got a text saying he'd destroyed all the fencing and I need to get up there NOW!! I panic and my heart is racing the whole way...turns out he snapped one bit of wood that I took 5mins nailing back on...huff..

I think I'll give Carefreegirl a text too, I hate to bother her with Ned issues, but she might know of a vet/yard/field/someone who could help :)
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I don't "know" CFG well in any sense, but she's always struck me as a nice, helpful sort who wouldn't mind being bothered in an instance like this... (She'll hunt me down and beat me up now for suggesting people hassle her :p )

As for yards, I despair. I've been on enough crazy yards to know how you're feeling. I used to sort mine at very odd times and ride in the middle of the night to avoid people. You have my sympathy there.
 
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