New Forest Pony... at whits end!

[Serianas]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about this.

I have a 14yo, 14hh New Forest that I have had for 8 years. He had a bad bout of lami 2 years ago to the point I nearly had him PTS but he pulled through. He has been sporadically lame after this but thats to be expected. He is now a healthy weight, though he lacks muscle because of having the last 8 months or so off work, due to accident and injury (I wont go into details but needed to move yards if that makes sense).

Anyway, at the moment he is in good health but he gets super stiff leaving his stable on an evening for night turnout. He comes in like 10 men but going out he is reluctant to leave his stable, until he gets walking forward. There is no heat in his feet and no digital pulse. Recent xrays show minimal rotation (about 1-2 ml) and no foundering in his feet which was surprising even to the vet with how ill he was the first time. He is barefoot and going through remedial trimming to bring his hoof back to where it should be, and you can really tell where he had his last laminitic episode because his foot changes drastically after that. He had the farrier about a week ago, which is when this stiffness started. Before this he was being brought back into work with walk work in which he felt nice and forward.

Im just wondering if anyone else has had anything similar? he seems happy in himself but its just this reluctance to leave his stable thats bothering me (I mean its really getting to me seeing him like this).

Just for context, he is EMS but his last blood tests came back the best they have every been and he is up to date with physio, dentist, vet, farrier and everything else.

 

[cauda equina]

Just wondering if the trim might have made him a bit sore and what you're seeing is footiness rather than stiffness; it does seem suspicious that the problem only started after the trim
I would try booting, or if you don't have boots try improvising some, like a poultice but with tougher stuff on the sole eg a bit of dead welly, and see if that helps

 

[countryal]

My old boy is exactly the same (is now 16, had lami a number of years ago, and a couple of lame episodes since) Almost exact circumstances. Takes a bit of getting going after being stood in but then is fine (sometimes a little stiff). Mine also has arthritis, so think this plays on the stiffness too. Is it possible to get the xrays for your farrier to see? It was the farrier that picked up the arthritis on mine, the vets were only interested in the pedel bone.

Out of interest, is yours stiff in the front or hind?

Mine also feels nice when ridden, but if stood still he takes a few strides to get going again.

I try and keep him out as much as possible (on a bare paddock) and movement helps.

 

[bonny]

Just wondering if the trim might have made him a bit sore and what you're seeing is footiness rather than stiffness; it does seem suspicious that the problem only started after the trim
I would try booting, or if you don't have boots try improvising some, like a poultice but with tougher stuff on the sole eg a bit of dead welly, and see if that helps

This, he sounds footsore, does he have enough bedding so he’s never standing on concrete ?

 

[Serianas]

To answer everyones questions:
He has boots so I will try walking him in those.
Farrier has seen the xrays, and showed them to a vet friend of hers, who was surprised the rotation was so little. Its helping her know where to trim which is nice.
He is stiff on both ends really but moreso the hind. I can always tell if he hasnt worked the day before because his stiffness is worse.
His bed is about 5inch deep all teh way to his door.

Hope this helps!

 

[SEL]

They do have PSSM in the new forest breed so might be worth checking if you know his breeding lines (the breed society has a lot of information now). Everything you are describing could be put down to muscle soreness as well as laminitis

 

[Serianas]

They do have PSSM in the new forest breed so might be worth checking if you know his breeding lines (the breed society has a lot of information now). Everything you are describing could be put down to muscle soreness as well as laminitis

I just had a look and his line (Howen) is top of the list ill get him tested straight away!

 

[SEL]

I just had a look and his line (Howen) is top of the list ill get him tested straight away!

Oh dear - well at least if you know you can manage accordingly and I think most of the NF ponies do respond well to PSSM management.