Pony still disunited when jumping :-(

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Ali27

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Pony went for lameness work up at vets last November after suddenly starting to bunny hop in canter. However she was completely sound during work up but did go disunited when jumping on right rein. She was also tested for ulcers using the succeed test where she was found to have gastric and hind gut. Vet injected sacroiliac with steroids, then she completed rehab programme of raised trotting poles etc. She also had 90 days of succeed supplement. Ulcers have now gone, she has tested negative in last two tests. However she still does have some disuniting when jumping on right rein. We have noticed that she tends to land on left leg and then changes in front but not behind. She was gradually built up over jumps, doing grid work, bounces etc and then came first in her first jumping competition in March. I had a jumping lesson in our jump paddock on Fri and had her in new bit as she gets very speedy and strong jumping. She was so much more controlled but did still have some disuniting on right rein. I jumped her again on Monday and she went much better with only occasional disuniting. She does tend to go to left side of jump so I have been focusing on keeping her really straight. My farrier shod her yesterday but commented that she was stiff in back end and reluctant to pick up back legs which she is usually fine with. I gave her quick lunge in evening and she was slightly short in trot and canter but seemed worse on left side. I spoke to my vet and he wants her down to vets on Friday for more steroid injections in sacroiliac. I dropped poo sample off yesterday and she is again clear of ulcers. Just wondered if anyone had any similar experiences or had any other suggestions about what could be causing her disuniting when jumping? Instructor commented on Friday about her lovely balanced paces so I don't think it is a schooling problem.
 
It does sound like ongoing SI trouble to me. One of mine had an SI injury (and has just done it again 7 years later being a blooming idiot on a hack). Her biggest telltale is disuniting in canter. It's an injury that can take ages to heal properly (up to 18 months) & there needs to be a lot of well placed muscle to stabilize the joint. I wouldn't be surprised that you're still getting issues at present or that another round of injections is required. Personally I wouldn't be jumping so soon, but that call is between you & your vet.
 
wyrdsister said:
It does sound like ongoing SI trouble to me. One of mine had an SI injury (and has just done it again 7 years later being a blooming idiot on a hack). Her biggest telltale is disuniting in canter. It's an injury that can take ages to heal properly (up to 18 months) & there needs to be a lot of well placed muscle to stabilize the joint. I wouldn't be surprised that you're still getting issues at present or that another round of injections is required. Personally I wouldn't be jumping so soon, but that call is between you & your vet.
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Thanks for sharing your experience. Vet is convinced that it is a SI issue. The disuniting only ever happens when jumping and on the right rein which I was convinced that hind gut ulcers were the culprit after my research on net. She originally had three months of light hacking/ schooling before I started jumping her last time. She had also started refusing last November which is not like her. Vet was the one who wanted me to start jumping her in Feb. Will see what happens on Friday and what else he suggests when he sees her.
 
Personally, I would proceed with caution before reinjecting the SI. I've had two horses with SI problems, both presenting with canter problems. First horse was injected and then done again, and the injection actually seemed to make it worse, although he had responded really well to nerveblocks. I now understand that his SI was weak and the injections effectively weakened it further. I know less about injuries/tightness in the SI, but would echo the above about building muscle to stabilise the joint.

I had my current horse treated by a holistic vet; the pelvis kept dropping to one side as the SI was unstable, so he injected it with a form of prolotherapy - aimed to aggravate the joint and promote healing, much in the same way as shockwave therapy. Said horse has hardly looked back since, pelvis remains level and he's now jumping very happily. It has taken a lot of time and care to work him out of changing legs behind in canter, however, and it still happens every now and then if he is stiff after hard work so I am careful with how I manage it and find that regular physio and use of a TENS machine has really helped.
 
Would second PP's comment about the physio. It made more difference to my girl than the injections (which incidentally we now can't do again because she has EMS & there's a major lami risk). Not to be negative, but I eventually ended up turning mine away for 18 months to let her SI resolve as rehabbing on the lunge & light hacking/schooling didn't really work. She'd do well for a few months, then go 'off' again. Tbf, she has other issues, but what worked for her was physio, rest, then loads of hill work & schooling on hacks, no circles. She was doing great until she slipped over a month ago. It's a wretch of a joint for reinjury. Hope you can fix yours.
 
The strange thing is that she doesn't disunite when jumping on the lunge! I have had saddle checked and adjusted as there were a few issues with that. I have had stiffness in my neck, right shoulder but I have been having treatment using Alexander Bowen Technique which has made a huge difference. Will see what vet says tomorrow and get him to look at hocks etc too! If necessary, she can have has much time off as needed! Luckily, I have 3k left of insurance money to get to the bottom of her issues!
 
We spent 3 1/2 hours at vets today. She was sound on lunge in trot and canter but slight stiffness in hind noticed. I rode her and again all fine but disunited a few times on right rein jumping. Vet did flexion and pony slightly stiff so back, hocks x rayed and completely fine! However when they investigated stifles there was small amount of fluid/ inflammation so she has had it medicated. So vet is hoping that is the cause of her niggly issue with disuniting when jumping.
 
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