Really gutted and scared about the future :'(

Hi, sorry but I had a quick look at your profile as wasn't sure what was wrong with your horse. I guess its KS and I take it this has been diagnosed by xrays. We had a lovely TB mare that we bought for daughter to event and 2 months later was diagnosed with KS. She wasn't suitable for an op and could not carry on eventing or jumping. Was a loony to hack and pure dressage sent her galloping down the centre line. :eek:

However we got 3 good years with her living a retired life ( was only 9 ). Out as much as possible but in at night during the winters. We did not have to use bute very often. In the end she let us know when the time was right. Thoughts are with you and wish u all the best..
 
Horsesforever1 said:
(((((HUGS))))))))))
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Crimbowitch said:
Well yes I did - I have not been involved on any other SS thread - I was replying to the question the OP raised What Now? - and I gave my advice ref bute to keep happy but not to extend working life and that Danilon is kinder to a horse that has ulcers... the next post is yours - so yes you can see why I thought you were having a go at me...
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please dont argue :(
 
I'm so sorry to hear about dee :( what an awful day you've had! I've always enjoyed reading your treads and looking at pictures of your gorgeous horse.
(((((Hugs)))))
 
I haven't got any advice or suggestions to make, just wanted to offer my sympathy. How heartbreaking that her ridden career is over. :(

Fingers crossed for her being able to have a comfortable retirement. xxx
 
I got myself a new horse in November 2011. She was an ex racer and once I started her reschooling I was convinced something was not right. She saw the physio and chiro regularly but took me until June 2012 to convince the vets and my trainers there was anything wrong with her as she never took a lame step. Her only symptom was tension in canter and the occasional disunited step in canter - this got worse as she was brought into work and then better as she strengthened so everyone said it was because she was a weak ex racer.

I convinced the vets to do a workup on her and turns out she had kissing spines t6 - t10, sacroiliac disease and facet joint arthritis. She had tildren, steroids, shockwave and the usual rehab. But she also got worse - totally sound before treatment and after she was lame. No idea why. She was PTS. Treated by same vets as Dee. No expense was spared with her treatment - she had a massage pad, magnetic therapy, danilon despite not showing any pain, regumate as cyclical discomfort was making it difficult to work out if her back hurt, regular physio and chiro treatment and 24/7 turnout to keep her moving. There was nothing else I could do for her and wouldn't delay the inevitable. I now wished i had just retired her before any treatment and she would still be with us and field sound, but I have no idea if that would be the case. If I hadn't listened to my gut I'd still be riding her as everyone advised me to work her and strengthen her!
 
Big hugs from a fellow 'big beautiful black mare' owner. :(
I am so sorry to hear this, she is a lovely looking horse and fingers crossed that some time out being a horse is possible for her. Xx
 
Secret_Santa said:
Dee hasnt been barefoot since 3 - i wouldnt know how to start! Do i literally have her shoes taken off and hope for the best?
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Stick her on a fibre based diet (think she is on pure feeds? if so that is good) and add magnesium oxide (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1kg-Magne...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item1c2e6f4406 is the cheapest and local to us) Then whip the shoes off and if she is turned away then just see how she goes. She may need hoof boots as an interim until the feet are stronger. My tb was barefoot and it does help and the limbs are much better supported
 
Secret_Santa said:
Dee hasnt been barefoot since 3 - i wouldnt know how to start! Do i literally have her shoes taken off and hope for the best?
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As i said we tried taking shoes off when she retired but she was very footsore. Farrier then suggested lightweight grass shoes on the front only. These worked really well for her. I am sure there are others who know more than me but this worked for us.
 
My old mare is on bute daily. She has bad days where she's uncomfortable but the good days far outweigh those for now. She is 32 with different problems but with careful management that fits easily round my work life she is a very happy field ornament. Good luck and look at ur orthopaedic realistically not pessimistically x
 
ester said:
Is taking her shoes off and giving her a year turned away to see if her body can repair itself an option?
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Another vote for this from me. A year away on dr green and just being a horse very often brings the miracle that's been prayed for.

I'm so, so sorry to hear your recent news and I'm hoping that there is an answer out there, however slight. Good luck.
 
So sorry to hear this but Dee is still a very lucky mare no matter what happens, and I'm sure you will do the right thing for her no matter how much it hurts you :(
Hope the vet can give you some other options xx
 
I'm so sorry to read this, you must be heartbroken. Try not to be too sad though (impossible I know) time is a great healer and with plenty of time off you might be looking at a different outcome.

Good luck with the vet x
 
zoon said:
I got myself a new horse in November 2011. She was an ex racer and once I started her reschooling I was convinced something was not right. She saw the physio and chiro regularly but took me until June 2012 to convince the vets and my trainers there was anything wrong with her as she never took a lame step. Her only symptom was tension in canter and the occasional disunited step in canter - this got worse as she was brought into work and then better as she strengthened so everyone said it was because she was a weak ex racer.

I convinced the vets to do a workup on her and turns out she had kissing spines t6 - t10, sacroiliac disease and facet joint arthritis. She had tildren, steroids, shockwave and the usual rehab. But she also got worse - totally sound before treatment and after she was lame. No idea why. She was PTS. Treated by same vets as Dee. No expense was spared with her treatment - she had a massage pad, magnetic therapy, danilon despite not showing any pain, regumate as cyclical discomfort was making it difficult to work out if her back hurt, regular physio and chiro treatment and 24/7 turnout to keep her moving. There was nothing else I could do for her and wouldn't delay the inevitable. I now wished i had just retired her before any treatment and she would still be with us and field sound, but I have no idea if that would be the case. If I hadn't listened to my gut I'd still be riding her as everyone advised me to work her and strengthen her!
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Im hoping time will help her :( Thats very sad zoon, very sorry to read

ellie11987 said:
So sorry for you, just as she was on the mend :(
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it sucks
 
I commented on your FB page too. I am gutted for you. I know that's she's done much more than just be your riding horse.

Having said that, it may be that she could be just fine for awhile as a pasture pet or that a year out totally doing nothing but being a horse could help. I bought a gelding 9 years ago that I felt sorry for. I got him home and vet said his best option was PTS as he'd never come sound. His hock was literally in pieces. Surgery was not an option for this horse and they weren't sure it would work. Also he was a choker and had a hole at the back of his knee. I could see into the joint capsule. Well I just didn't want to PTS and I left the decision up to him. To make a long story short, I still have him. He's on no pain meds at 18. He's semi retired but was riding sound for a long time. I will try and find the vid for you on FB if you like of me riding him a few months ago.

I know it was just a hock and not his back but it was still a grim prognosis. So while taking on everything your vet says, also let Dee have a say too. She's very lucky to have you!
 
Oh I am sorry to read this, but can you give her more time. It doesn't really seem that long since this all started.

To give you a bit of comfort, I nearly lost my boy a year ago this month with a bad stifle ligament injury, in August it was a bit better so we gave him restricted turnout, a week later he came in on 3 legs again. I thought that was it :( Th vet said lets give it one more crack at coming right, he had steroids into the joint again (6 lots altogether), laser therapy (you might want to google cold laser therapy actually, it could help you girl's back) and every supplement I could stuff into him. In December we started walking out in hand, he is now sound in walk and almost there in trot....I found this out by accident when something spooked him! He is still otherwise on box rest. He will be turned out in a little paddock for a few hours in spring, if all goes to plan....nearly 18 months after the original injury. I guess my point is, give it time! I have been in tears over my pony and thought on more than one occasion that we had reached the end of the line.

Don't give up on her yet! She may just surprise you :)

Also, I may have missed something but I wondered why you were against operating on her kissing spine? They can do it through minimally invasive key hole surgery and it has some great results. It is a risk I know but work considering? No offence intended with the question, just curious.

Try and stay positive if you can, vibes coming from here!
 
Sorry to read this. It sounds like you ate being very sensible about it and that is incredibly brave.

I hope that the vet can make any decisions easy for you.

Re barefoot; if you decide to try this there are lots of existing threads on this in here. Members like Oberon are very knowledgeable and helpful too. Also have a look at the Rockley website; I highly recommend their book from Amazon titled Feet First.

I believe time is a great healer and if it was possible I'd completely rough off and turn away in big field/rough grazing/hill/varied terrain. Not easy to find but gives horses a chance to fix themselves.

There is also a thread about Arcequine in Comp Riders; this may be of interest and perhaps worth emailing the company about?

Good luck with it all. I had to make the decision for three of my mares and it was devastating but it meant they were free from pain.

Best wishes
 
amandaco2 said:
I would be tempted to turn her out without shoes on and see what a year brings.....
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I have done this with some success - the body can be amazing in healing itself .... but whatever you decide will be the right the decision for you and Dee and no one on here can really tell you what that decision should be
 
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