Sacroiliac disease in older horses!

[EllieWarlow]

Hello everyone! Apologies in advance for the potentially depressing post!

My 25 year old has what I suspect to be sacroiliac disease (vet & physio called and am awaiting appointments) I am almost 100% certain that is what it is. Which leads me on to my next question, has anyone ever dealt with it? I have trawled the internet to little avail.
I am worried that what I have found sounds as though there is quite an intensive work load (for the horse I mean) and I am worried that he may not cope with it due to his age and us entering winter, he is not a very good doer and we struggle to keep weight on through the winter anyway, so I'm worried with a workload of rehab that he will not cope. Is it worth the

Just looking for any experiences with it or any advice in general, thanks in advance!

 

[Tiddlypom]

It does depend on what is found.

If pain is located to the SI joints, they can be medicated and this will give a window of freedom from pain to build up a more correct way of moving. I am doing this now with in hand rehab with a younger horse.

But with an older horse? I don’t think it would be fair to start that route, though that is only my personal opinion. See what the vet says, and if some bute and a good physio can make him more comfortable.

My chiro vet is brilliant at relieving tension in the SI area, but even she recommended SI joint medication for mine. She is treating her regularly now the spasm of pain is gone. The rehab is in walk over poles for the first 4 weeks, then bringing in shorts periods of trot.

Good luck.

 

[EllieWarlow]

Thank you for the feedback.

He is 25 so has had a good long life really, but I agree with you that it wouldn't be fair to start it with him now.

Thank you, wishing you the best of luck with yours too!