Please PLEASE need some advice RE possibly retiring horse

3

3BayGeldings

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 February 2009
Messages
3,122
Location
North East England
Visit site
Right.. where to start
frown.gif
Thanks in advance for reading this and any advice you offer. I'd really like to hear what you would do in this situation.

17 year old gelding, diagnosed with bone spavin in both hocks about 2 years ago now. The vets said that one was already starting to fuse, but the other was at a much earlier stage, but hopefully would begin to fuse as well. Advised to give him as much turn out as possible (without letting him gain excess weight), and lots of walking out is best for him. Limited jumping and schooling. This has worked out fine, he's occasionally jumped over small show jumps, on a good surface, every few months and never schooled as myself nor the people that have loaned him were interested in doing so. Only trotted and cantered on good ground whilst out hacking, no trotting on hard ground. He's been loaned out over the last year to a couple of people as i am away studying.

I'm going back to study next month, and one of the loanees has her own horse now so decided to find someone else. I have someone who wants him on full loan to hack. Now - my predicament is that i don't think he's happy being ridden any more
crazy.gif
I know i might sound like a total molly coddler, but that's the thing - i'm not really! Other people say 'wow, isn't he being good at the minute, hacking out everywhere, not spooking or being a bit naughty like he used too' - and i used to think the same, But recently i ride him and it's like all his spark has gone. His ears are always back even when just walking, and especially if you ask him to trot. I've taken him in the school a couple of times recently to show people who have been interested in loaning him, and he hates it and his ears go flat back. Also, a couple of times with me and his loaner he was refused to go forward on a hack. Admittedly when by himself (he's a clingy horse so would never dream of not following another horse he was out with!) and he's never liked hacking out by himself as much as with company, but he's usually such a good horse who will go forward if you ask enough! However the time he did it with me a few weeks ago really shocked me, as he felt so unhappy and just wanted to get home. Even when i try trotting him when going towards home, since he's a bit more willing to go forward then, he's still obviously uncomfortable to do so and therefore i've left it.

(Apologies for the length of this post!! Ridiculous.
blush.gif
)

I should say, i've had the vet out a few times when he has felt a bit stiff or unwilling but they always just kind of shrug and say he's a light hack, there's not much else for him, or that we can offer to do for him (Especially because of his age, i imagine). And they say he is stiff behind, which is obvious as he doesn't track up well, but he doesn't feel lame to ride or anything

Now - i have the option of sending him away on full loan, which i'm really having 2nd thoughts about, partly because i'm not sure if the person wanting him is a confident enough rider, and because i'd rather he didn't move out of the area. At this home he'd be hacked and do occasionaly riding club walk+trot tests etc.

Or - he can go and live at my Dads' friend's farm and live out and effectively be retired. He loves his field, and i dont think he's miss his stable at all. He's be unclipped (he's very hairy) and have rugs. If we was sound enough i'd probably walk him out whenever i'm back for holidays.

OR - he can have the winter off to live out at the farm, and then i can bring him back into work in the Summer and see if he's any better??

I'm reluctant to get the vet out again, as they will no doubt just say 'if he's lame, dont ride him and if he isn't walk him out' like they always do..

I guess i just feel he's very unhappy being ridden at the minute
frown.gif
By the way he's living out at the minute and is walked out 6 out of 7 days. He used to be on synequin when the insurance covered it (110 quid a tub
crazy.gif
) and is currently on oil and cortaflex. Cortaflex has just finished and im debating whether to buy more as i'm not sure it's making any difference
frown.gif


Congratulations if you made it through all that
blush.gif
blush.gif
crazy.gif
I'm so sorry for the length. Love to hear your thoughts/opinions?!?!

X

ETA: He's happy in himself, still goes daft for his tea, eager to turn out etc. Teeth were done a few months back, back is fine and saddle made to measure. No obvious symptoms of other medical issues.
 
Personally I wouldn't loan him out if you have ANY doubts. I'd send him off to your father's friend's farm and re-assess on the occasions you have chance to ride him.
 
When was the last time you had his back checked? Hock problems often lead to sore backs and that could explain why he is not willing to move forwards when ridden.

If not recent I'd call a vet and ask for a recommendation for a good pyhsio.
 
i agree with both the above posts, sounds like you know loaning him out is not really the way to go, give him the winter off and then see how things are in the summer. Good luck.
 
I had some very good advice tonight - follow your instincts. Which in this case is telling you to retire him.

Dad's friend's farm sounds like a really great option. If you think the time has come to retire him, follow your gut.
 
Thank you. I always say 'his back is fine', but in all truthfulness that's a definite self-diagnosis! I think i will see about getting a physio out to have a look.

And thank you to everyone else for their opinions. I think i know deep down that retirement, or at least temporary retirement until next Summer, is the way to go - it's just hard to come to terms with.
frown.gif
But, he doesn't owe me a thing, is fab on the ground and loves his field so the farm does seem ideal.
frown.gif
crazy.gif
 
I've been going through a similar thing with my 18 yr old ex racer although she tells me she's not happy in a slightly more obvious way! Vet says things like could be arthritis kicking in could try her on bute or steroid injections blah blah!

Have tried almost everything but have given her nearly a year off and had chiro and reiki sessions and she is so much better, she is floating round the field again and i have brought her back into light work in a treeless saddle and bitless bridle, she is totally neurotic so will hopefully be able to have some happy hacks on her?

Like your boy she owes me nothing! You know your horse and you know he's not 100% happy at the mo! Your Dad's friends farm sounds good but i would definitely reassess in the summer!

Good Luck x
 
Oh bless you, it doesn't sound like an enviable position
confused.gif
frown.gif


My first piece of advice is to switch to Equine Answers Premierflex HA, it will save you a fortune and is likely to make a big difference if cortaflex has stopped working... The key difference is that Synoquin and Cortaflex work by providing the 'building blocks' for the body to make its own joint lubricant, whereas Premierflex IS joint lubricant...
The latter is better if your horse has a problem with joint lubrication (normally seen as arthritic changes in joints) as this indicates that the horse isn't too hot at producing their own anyway... there are other joint lubricants on the market but after (extensive
shocked.gif
) research that one is by far the best in terms of value and quality of product... I can show you the spreadsheets if you like
blush.gif
tongue.gif
grin.gif


In terms of whether to loan him or retire him, I would suggest turning him away for a few months and seeing how he copes (at least it isn't too cold at the moment) If you think he isn't up to being ridden regularly any more then you are probably right, nobody knows a horse like the owner; that said he might go doo-lally without a job to do so turn him away and play it by ear.

I hope it goes well and you manage to come to a decision everyone is happy with x
 
I would check his back as someone else said, and retire him. Only you know in your heart what's best for him, and sounds like you've already decided (from reading your OP)
smile.gif
 
I am going through something similar at the mo. Vet has been saying hack him out lightly but he has been turning round on the road and is generally reluctant to go forward, although has always been a lazy B**. I selfishly want to keep riding him as he is the best horse I have ever ridden, but have decided now to retire him. Making the decision is hard, but I think a few months down the line it will be easier to deal with.
 
What a dilemma!

I think I would be inclined to be prepared to give him the year off. Hopefully the hock will continue to fuse over that time anyway.

Has the vet suggested painkillers for the active phase? If he is unhappy it might be worth thinking about that in the short term.

I would stick him on Rhus Tox, because it certainly won't do any harm, but was useful for my elderly mare. Arnica may also help during the active phase too. Just get it from Boots and work out the dosage accordingly.

The only other supplements that helped her were Super Solvitax RA and Blue Chip Dynamic (no good for fatties!)

I have had success with magnetic boots too, wether the warmth provides the relief or the magnets there was certainly an improvement after using them.

Don't do what I did and buy them all at once though. Something was working but I had no idea what lol!

I would have an equine Chiropractor or Physio out to him too, rather than simply a back person. He could have thrown a lot of himself wonky.

The only trouble as I see it is that he needs rehab along with rest for him to hopefully attain an acceptable level of comfort. ie. Do you have anybody who could keep up the Physios instructions?

17 Really isn't very old. I do know ponies that have had spavin and been hopping. After a couple of years one has come back to doing low level dressage and hacks really well.

You might even get another good 5 years out of him yet!

Jo x
 
I wish my boy would be more obvious about it!! Unfortunately
wink.gif
he's a nice horse, so isn't the type to be naughty as a way of expressing pain. That's why the stopping and refusing to go forward thing really shocked me. I think i'll definitely get a physio out and see what they reccomend.
 
Thank you for the suggestion Ali, i'm off to search for that supplement now. I believe you, no need for spreadsheets
wink.gif
And thanks for your opinion on turning him away. I'm heavily leaning towards doing so, and then reasessing next Spring/Summer.
 
I'd retire him, at least for the winter. Try him again in the spring & see how you feel & then make a decision about bringing him back or not. At the end of the day you know him & the vet doesn't so I think you're in a better position to tell if he isn't happy working.

(((Hugs))), sometimes it's hard to decide what to do for the best but at least you have options & he's happy to be turned away.
 
I have bute, but i am reluctant to use it as a horse i used to share was PTS due to being on bute for too long and getting organ damage. Also, he's not really lame, just not tracking up
confused.gif


My Mam should be able to help me RE carrying out physio's instructions, as she would be checking him throughout the winter. Thanks for the suggestions of things to try - i think i will have to choose another supplement and see if they make any difference!

He's such a straightforward horse. Before he got the spavin i had visions of having him until he was in his 30's. In 5 and a half years, the spavin is the only thing he's even had wrong with him. Not even a scratch, an over reach, mud fever nothing. He doesn't change weight, he doesn't need rugged if he's not clipped. He's just perfect in every other way
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks PF, you obviously know me too well
crazy.gif
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

tongue.gif
No problem
smile.gif
He's not *old*, a pony I used to ride was still being lightly hacked at age 34
grin.gif
He's lucky to have such a considerate owner who only has his best interests at heart
smile.gif
 
That's bad news about your share horse.

My mare however had a bute a day for roughly 15 years. So it can be done.

If your Mum can't do it and you don't mind paying for him I'll have him for a year for you!

x
 
PF - I know, 17 is far to young
frown.gif


P - Everyone tells me im daft for being so anti bute. I think its just because i was youngish (13) when i had it drilled into me how 'bad' bute is, so now no matter what other people tell me its hard to think otherwise
blush.gif
However, like i said at the minute he isnt lame just stiff. He has had bute on the odd weeks where he's gone un sound.

And what do you mean you'd have him, do you run an abbatoir or something? That's all he's good for
wink.gif
wink.gif


X
 
Lol, You are not daft re the Bute. It's not something to be taken lightly, but I do wonder if the bad effects are often hammed up a bit!

I thought I could have him and take him down the beach. Might be able to sell him to the donkey man lol! Nah seriously, I can't afford the money to look after him, but I have plenty of time to be able to rehab him. Serious offer, if your Mum can't do it.

xx
 
Cheers Puppy
smile.gif
I don't know what to tell this poor woman who's after loaning him now
frown.gif
I'd practically all but signed on the dotted line before today. Although i think she might be having second thoughts too as he bucked at a fly which scared her a bit...
crazy.gif
 
Was thinking about this again last night.

JH do you have him on any medication?? It might help to talk to your vet about having him on a low dose of Danillon to make him more comffy??
 
Hi there, so sorry to hear your boy's suffering.....my 21 year old also suffers from the same condition - but he's actually been off work for over three months with a back problem - he was reluctant to go forward and was stumbling on hacks behind. I got my back person out and she said he was in a lot of pain across his lumbar/shoulders and to get the saddler out immediately. It turned out that my saddle was bridging badly where my horse's back had suddenly dipped (even though I had only had my saddle checked 6 months previously). 3 months on I am now hacking out again and my boy is much happier, but I'm having to take it day by day and I have my saddler & back person out regularly to keep checking him.

I have him on Corta-vet which is much stronger then Cortaflex, and Pernamax (4 tablets a day) which I know doesn't work on every horse, but has definitely worked wonders on mine. He is also now out at grass 24/7 and has the occasional bute if he needs it. I (like you) am reluctant to use bute on a regular basis, especially as mine had a liver problem a year and a half ago so I only feed it occasionally.

I also have Hionate injections every 6 months I/V which basically lubricates all the joints in the body to keep him comfortable, because for all I know he may have arthritis elsewhere, only the hocks have been x-rayed and in the past he has had the worst hock injected which really helped.

Hope it helps!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top