PSSM AMAZING change thanks to all who advised

travellingpony

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Short version four year old very heavy mare been lame since march endless investigations fortune spent nothing found. Getting to the stage of being really sore Bute little effect vet was suggesting PTS if I wasn't willing to fund a bone scan as everything was clear and insurance refused.

Posted here and took advice. She's has been on Alcar since Thursday and she looks amazing. Not sound one hundred percent but the movement is now unlevel at worst. I'm so thrilled with it. Hoping to get a bit better. I had given up on ever riding her just to see her so much more comfortable is thrilling and so quickly too.

THANK YOU EVERYONE.
 
You need vitamin E as well. It usually has even more of an effect than alcar. Mine can't function with too little of it. I am so pleased for you that you have seen such a result, though , it's great news :)
 
Fantastic news, really pleased for you.

Prepare for years ahead of becoming very knowledgeable on muscles and obsessive about how they're built up and managed :D
 
I won't bore you all but I have fought so hard for this mare just to have her waking and trotting without looking odd is wonderful.

She's starting today on vit e 10,000 ui. Il be bankrupt I guess but happy

Would have been nice if the vet suggested this at some point imagine if he had put her down doesnt bare thinking about
 
I won't bore you all but I have fought so hard for this mare just to have her waking and trotting without looking odd is wonderful.

She's starting today on vit e 10,000 ui. Il be bankrupt I guess but happy

Would have been nice if the vet suggested this at some point imagine if he had put her down doesnt bare thinking about

Wonderful. If that's natural vitamin E you can probably halve it. Do note though the vitamin E from the Natural Horse Company is synthetic and you need double.

In summer I can feed 2,000, autumn and spring 3,000 and winter 5,000. Mine have needed more with age. I got it wrong this year with bad, bad results :(

Many vets are just not clued up on this disease, and especially not on how prevalent it is in heavies. I have nightmares about how many 'lazy' heavy bred horses are being beaten to make them move.
 
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Every time I have tried to sit on her before her back legs turn out and it's like she can't take the weight and roots to the spot. She's always been very lethargic. Now she's running round like a lunatic. Any thoughts how long before trying to sit on her. Not to ride particularly but to see if she will accept it. Every other time she is looked better it's a fail as soon as I try to get on? She's living out nannying foals so getting plenty of exercise we don't have an arena so rather limited in winter. Anyone has similar?
 
As soon as her bum muscles feel bouncy when you tap them with your fist, and her back is soft when you run your hand along it. Exercise helps, so the sooner after she is sound enough that she works, the better, even if it's in hand or on the lunge to start with.

Has she had spine x rays, I can't remember? Just because she has PSSM doesn't mean she can't have kissing spines, unfortunately.
 
As soon as her bum muscles feel bouncy when you tap them with your fist, and her back is soft when you run your hand along it. Exercise helps, so the sooner after she is sound enough that she works, the better, even if it's in hand or on the lunge to start with.

Has she had spine x rays, I can't remember? Just because she has PSSM doesn't mean she can't have kissing spines, unfortunately.

Spine, stifle, hocks you name it all clear the vet was obsessed it was stifle cysts I guess he's worried now after the huge bill il complain
 
That's great news - I wish vets would think of muscle problems earlier on in lameness work-ups!

I'd probably start exercises on the ground before riding. Get building up those core muscles because if it is PSSM they'll need some rehab. Pole work is great.
 
That's great news - I wish vets would think of muscle problems earlier on in lameness work-ups!

I'd probably start exercises on the ground before riding. Get building up those core muscles because if it is PSSM they'll need some rehab. Pole work is great.

She's gone feral so that would be good for my health too! We have a big wood lots of lying logs so will try that. Last week I tried to long line and she went bonkers she's taken the job of nanny so seriously she thinks the babies are hers so perhaps walking in hand to start
 
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