Offside hind - problem!

[no_no_nanette]

Sorry if this is a bit long, but would value your thoughts/ advice/anyone who has had similar experience with their horse ... ex-racehorse being re-trained with plans to event, who had, for the nine months we had owned him, seemed very sound. A few months ago he started showing discomfort on right rein, and especially turns/bend, "snatching" his offside hind, and obviously finding something painful. We had noticed that he had always rested one or other hind leg when tied up, but this may be just a habit ... We had visit from vet "no problem" - but he didn't see him lunged or under saddle! - then nerve-blocked at clinic, couldn't find anything in lower leg. The advice was to turn him away for 6 weeks, and then see if he came sound. We gave him longer - 3 months - and have brought him back into work very slowly and carefully. All going well until his first session in the school on right rein/turn, where again he was "snatching" his hindleg intermittently. Its as though there is something "sticking" or catching somewhere in or above his stifle???? He went out for a hack today, loved it, and seemed absolutely sound. Could this be a trapped nerve, or is he reacting to a memory of pain? Has anyone had anything similar with their horse to help us identify what we are looking for? He is going back to have a second opinion with another vet next week, but I know unless he is hopping lame there is often little that will show up with a scan or nerve-block. Help!!

 

[miamibear]

Have you tried a chiropractor. Sounds like it may be a pelvis problem, may be worth getting one out before the next vet visit, will be cheaper and may solve the problem.

 

[ihatework]

Could it be a stringhalt type of thing?
Did the vets investigate the hock at all, could possibly be some form of spavin or ligament problem.
Equally it could be higher up.
I'm surprised the vets didn't want to see the horse lunged on a hard surface ... mine always do this as standard

 

[aran]

is his stifle locking?

 

[no_no_nanette]

Funnily enough his rider described it as "seeming almost string-halty" .... yes, we were amazed vet didn't lunge, and protested so much we got our money back on that visit! Don't think that his stifle is locking, and shows no sign of swelling/heat/soreness in his hock ... Will certainly investigate other suggestions, and please keep them coming! Intermittent and slight lameness is such a ***** to solve!!

 

[aran]

we had a large ID gelding 8 yr old and he'd very intermittently lock his stifle. occastionally (and more commonly schooling on his affected rein) his hind limb would snatch. Stifle was fine, no swelling, heat not painful or possible to block. We were told to do lots of exercises to build up his hind-quarters to support and strap the joint.
string-halt is more continous occuring when they flex the hock - it would have been obvious especially to the vet - surely?!?

I hope you get to the bottom of it

 

[vicijp]

First off id sack the vet, how the hell can he refer for nerve blocks when he cant see a problem?
Secondly id definetly get chliropractor and dentist out. See if the chliro can pick up on anything, and get the teeth checked just in case they are putting the back out. May also be worth getting farrier to check the feet with a fine tooth comb, being on and off points away from this but feet are funny things. May be worth running a blood to check the muscle enzymes.
Hopefully chliro will find the problem and advise you on how to continue. She may be able to put things right relatively quickly, she may advise on scans or x rays.
Just a thought, see how he walks if you push him backwards. Could be the symptoms of a shiverer.

 

[Caritas]

Can he back up normally and turn a tight circle, crossing over correctly behind on both reins??

 

[Lottie7]

My horse had a VERY similar thing - have you researched EPSM? Someone else has mentioned that it might be shivers which is very similar to EPSM.

Good luck with finding the solution.

 

[AmyMay]

A friend of mine had a horse with a locking stifle - which this could be. It underwent surgery to cut some ligaments up in the stifle (at least I think that's what they did). Horse came through surgery well - however, never made a full recovery and was eventually pts.

I had a horse with degenerative string holt - which again, I suppose your horse could have - however he was never lame with it as yours has been.

 

[no_no_nanette]

Caritas - will talk to his rider today and get her to try backing him up and turning on a tight circle ... (he's currently with an event rider/producer). If he isn't able to do this, what's the most likely prognosis? It all sounds a bit grim! Poor chap, he has been so enjoying being off the track, has chilled out so much, and loves his work, so I'm really hoping that it isn't something that is going to need lengthy turning away/loss of use at most extreme. And yes, we did sack the vet! (We are going with another recommended local vet practice, and possibly taking him in to their clinic next week if he doesn't show any improvement) Will also find out about chiropractors - can anyone recommend a good one in East Sussex area? Thanks so much for all your suggestions!

 

[Caritas]

I would possibly say if he cant back up and turn properly may be a neurological problem, try and get the horse refered to Willesley Equine clinic, Svend Kold in Tetbury Glos, a few hours journey but I genuinely believe he is the best in the country. Do let me know when you find out later, good luck!!

 

[monstermunch]

Have you considered getting out a therapist who specialises in deep tissue work? I have an EBW out to my horse and she is fantastic. I have been told that the majority of intermittent lameness problems are caused by a muscular problem not bony. If you had your horse worked on by an EBW it may be worth seeing what they can find!

 

[BethH]

I agree with Caritas about Svend Kold at Willersley - fabulous vet and surgeon - if you have to be referred go to him!

 

[no_no_nanette]

Thanks so much everyone, some really, really useful suggestions. Have emailed them through to Sam (his trainer)and she has been texting me with daily updates. He has been hacking out over the last 2 days and loving it and appears completely sound, apparently, but of course thi is all on straight lines! MonsterMunch, excuse ignorance, but can you tell me what an EBW is? I'll certainly follow up vet referral if we get to that point, thanks Caritas! I'm going to see Zelly on Sunday, and will keep you all posted on progress ...

 

[Caritas]

Best of luck, let us know how it goes!!