Pony lame

[Rubymay03]

My pony was on and off lame and has finally been diagnosed with collateral ligament damage. She's is 16 and 14hh, she's an Arab x.The vets have now said she's got to have a years rest aswell as having straight bar shoes with gel pads. We're about 2 months in of her rest, and she's been fine until now. She hadnt been right for a couple days, she just looked depressed and didn't look right in field. She had her regular shoeing session and after that she was crippled lame (more lame then usual). So of course I called the vet and he said give her some bute as she's in a lot of pain. He then came down the next day and saw she was still the same. So he gave me about a 4 worth of bute and said give two sachets a day in her feed and il come back when she's finished her course if she's still not right . So he then came back when it was out of her system and in pain again. So he's given her more bute and said she's still got to be box rested what's she's absolutely fed up of. When I have finished the course of bute I will then see if she's still lame and If so the vet will have to come down again. I just don't no what's the best option for her do I retire her or keep trying.
I have had her two years and she's been constantly on and off lame.
Obviously I will have to sort this recent problem out or even just find out what it is atleast.
My insurance won't cover her legs after this year.
What would u do ?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Shoes off, barefoot rehab.

Now it's easy for me to say, but the statistics support this. BF rehab has a much better chance of solving soft tissue injuries inside the hoof capsule compared to remedial shoeing (hopefully someone can link to the studies). Unfortunately not all Vets have caught up with this yet. Look at the Rockley farm blog.

 

[Rubymay03]

I did think about doing that! But I don't no if it worth just taking of her shoes and retiring her. I just don't no what to do 🙈 I love this pony the world!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I don't think Faracat is thinking shoes removal=retirement, just the opposite.
The prognosis with long term use with special shoes is not great anyway.

To be honest the problem I have with box rest is the turnout, you will need to dope her.

Did you mean 12 months box rest or until sound[ish] then turnout for a year [which must be no shoes surely]?

What has been done in investigations, would your insurance cover re hab at Rockley,which needs vet referral, your vet may need some education about this, and you may need to press hard to get it. You can email Nic and she will discuss things and will tell you if she thinks she can help.
http://rockleyfarm.co.uk/rehabilitation.html

If she has suddenly got lame after shoeing I would call the farrier straight away and get those shoes off, see if that gives instant/overnight relief, and then decide what to do.
The other possibility is laminitis, again shoes off, and examine feet.

 

[Rubymay03]

Sorry I meant I didn't no wether if I should just retire her and take her shoes off. She's got to be turned out for a year but I bring her in of a night. Nope they said keep shoes on. She's has had 2 MRI's lots of x rays and nerve blocks ect. At first they didn't no what was a matter with her it took them along while to find out. This all took place at the royal vetinary college.
The thing is we only have a certain amount of money left to cover her legs (I'm with pet plan) so I would have to find out.

Also yes the vet took her shoes off the same day he came and saw her it only made a little difference so at the minute she's just got regular shoes on what's helping but still not sure as she's on bute.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I think Petplan have paid for Rockley re hab in the past.
I would send the scans to Nic with details, phone her up to see if she could help, then do a lot of homework then get your vet persuaded, it has to be by vet referral for Re hab and insurance.