Really depressed about horse's lameness

[lucylocket]

Just come back from trying my horse out after two weeks off due to hindleg lameness. Vet didnt know what was wrong so tried 2 bute for a fortnight, no change at all. which I found really surprising and worrying now as I rather hoped he had just been silly in the field and hurt himself. I had been putting off riding him because I was scared he wouldnt be better and was proved right. I read an earlier post from someone whose horse had hindleg lameness and it was found to be a problem with the neck, so may mention this to vet. Big problem is that although he is insured he is exclucded for arthritis and djd and had previous problems with front leg.
So if I want to have further investigation it is going to cost big time. Dont know what to do really,
I do feel very pessimistic now. If hes retired it means I will give up riding as I am not a brave rider and he is the safest horse Ive come across ! Also Im getting too old to take on another I think. Feels like the end of an era at the mo. sorry, to be negative but just feel very sad at present

 

[kerilli]

oh, that's very sad. don't despair... don't forget that sometimes "Doctor Green" i.e. a few months out in a field, as long as he won't gallop around like a nutter, can do absolute wonders. honestly.
really hope he comes right. good luck.

 

[Tia]

Actually I know how you feel. I felt like this when one of my favourite mares went down with lameness for months on end whilst she was pregnant. Finally after nerve-blocks my vet suggested she had navicular - what a blow! He sounded optimistic though and said that once she had had the foal she may come good again. I didn't believe him and thought that this was the end of the road for my mare.

Well after a different way of farrier trimming her, and the giving birth of the foal, she has come sound again. Then just recently, her previous owner found me and without me saying anything, she told me that the mare always came down with abscesses in about her 5th month of pregnancy - well the timing was exactly right but I still reserve judgement. The mare is now totally sound, however she won't be going out for any rides until the foal is a couple of months old....so I have to watch this space.

It is really disheartening when a special horse comes down with something...particularly when it is unknown. Fingers crossed that with a bit of time off your horse will come good too. I do commiserate with you though.

 

[lucylocket]

Thanks both. Its not as if he actually works hard when he is rideable we only hack out a couple of times a week. Its so frustrating that they cant tell us whats wrong isnt it. Or if you can actually see an injury or swelling you can have a good idea whats wrong. This is the second time weve had mystery lameness, the last time took x rays, ultrasound and mri, and we still didnt get a definite answer only a probable arthritis
diagnosis. He is an old boy so I suppose its inevitable that retirement looms,

 

[JulieL]

Hi there - I am so sorry to hear about your old boy - but please dont dispair. I have had such a run of bad luck over the last 18 months with my old mare, tendon trouble, broken bone in foot, another pulled tendon etc etc.

I am taking her next week for yet another set of scan to find out exact prognosis on yet another hock injury! I really would love the vet to say, yep carry on as normal, but i doubt it

I console myself with at least i have her with me, if nothing else!)

Insurance - i have also the same with my girl not being insured on legs due to very minor inuries years ago! I just have to keep chipping away at vet bills and my vets are great and understanding so long as i make the effort and pay some regularly. This might be an option if you speak to your vet - I did.

Dont give up riding, yr never ever too old (it keeps you young

) - i really do feel the same about my girl as i have had her for 20 yrs and she is as safe as houses and i am now a very complacent, lazy rider

and often think i will never get antoher one like her.

keep me posted on how you get on - I would love to no.

LB xx

 

[Charlie77]

Why don't you try an Osteopath my old mare was lame for ages after a slip we had, I had three visits from the vet, then had an Osteopath out to her, he told me more in 10 mins than the vet had in 3 visits, the visit cost less than the vets call out and after 2 more manipulations she was fine and still is she's now 32! She had pulled across her pelvis and down through a back leg. It might not be as bad you think it is?

 

[angiebaby]

I am in the same boat, a lame pony that has been diagnosed with navicular symptoms, and a tear to the ddf tendon, that was at the end of May. He has been turned out until next spring, hoping that he will be sound by then, like you don't want another one as he's the love of my life.
Yesterday he was cantering around with the others enjoying the very windy day

, checked his legs after he had calmed down and no swelling or heat, thank goodness!

 

[dieseldog]

If you have nerve blocks and xrays done it will probably cost you about £2-300, which isn't the end of the world and at lest you would know. My horse was lame on the hindlegs and bute had no effect either, but nerve blocks did show up what was wrong. Fingers crossed it isn't anything to serious.

 

[lucylocket]

Vet coming back tomorrow so am on tenterhooks at the moment! Quite worried about the lack of coordination in back legs, makes me think its nerve damage. Oh well, hopefully I will find out if he has to go for tests. Will plead poverty with vet ! In answer to one post, I have tried two osteos previously for other horsesd and never been particularly impressed.