Shakey / unable to relax hind limbs (large breed) - Pls help :(

J

jackiesansom

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Okay, where to start....
Owned my 2.5yr old CB since he was 6mths and he has progressively developed a problem with his hind legs. I can't really remember when it started but possibly a year ago?

When I pick up hind legs he pulls them up as high as he can and it shakes/tremours. If he moves over when standing he picks he leg up really high before putting it down.
He can move backwards really well.
He doesn't track up in walk or trot.

First of all thought it was just part of him growing up as he will make at least 17.2hh but now I'm really worried it might be something worse!

Had vet out and he sort of shrugged a bit and scratched his head - advice was 'see how he goes'. Does'nt think its shivers as can back up well and doesn't stomp/over stretch stride like stringholt. But he was very cautious about commiting to any conclusion!

Been having physio out every month who can see a difference in him muscularly but I don;t think he is any better TBH.
So upset that that he may never be able to be ridden
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Anyone else had this proble in large young horses?
 
Sounds like a form of shivers, but only time will tell and further tests. We have a 19 yr old hunter who is just like this, its never got any worse nor any better. I would do as much homework as possible on it though, diet can have a big influence.
 
Hi Towerhamlets,

I'm worried its shivers too. Been doen the research route etc already but so little is know re shivers that is so hard to find any valid research. He is already on a high fibre organic, no sugar diet with increased fat.
Its not got any worse but its no better either
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Do you think it will just be normal for him?!

Don't want to go down investigation route so young esp as not backed yet - rather save all of that for when I can decide whether or not he is ridable
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hi,

Well shivers isn't the be all and end all of a horse being useful! We have had a few with it and apart from being a pain in the backside to shoe, it's just a question of managing it. Feeding oil is mean to help, as is a very low cereal diet, more roughage and fibre the better. The more you can keep them out the better to. OUr big hunter lives in though and some mornings he comes out his box and almost seems to be stuck, but walk him on for a couple of paces and he's fine again. I think really all you can do is monitor it till he's ready to be backed, with some horses it progresses and gets really bad and then the only real option is PTS, but there are plenty more that have a very mild form of it and live perfectly useful lives. With any luck yours won't get any worse now he's like this, and then yes, he will be perfectly useful!
 
Could it be Upper Fixation of the Patella, does his leg seem to snatch up (or sideways) then put it down. My large chap has this and his leg can shake when picking it out and he has to snatch it upwards to release the ligament.

How is he kept is he out 24/7?

To be totally honest now you have had the vet look at it you need to get it investigated on your insurance as if you try when he starts ridden work it will be deemed an existing condition. Also treatment whilst there growing is sometimes far easier than when their joints are fully formed. It could be a case of corrective shoeing or something simple.
 
Hi TH,

Thank yo for the reassuring reply!
I have heard of horses with Shivers leading relatively normal lives. He doesn't have any cereal and never has so diet wise I don't think there is much more I can do? He is on adlib hay and SS lucie nuts with a balancer and added linsead.

Don;t want a second vet opinion yet as ins only covers for one year and feel that investigations would be much more beneficial if he was under saddle

Thank you - its cheered me up a little
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I would sugest that it could be something like upward fixation ofthe patella or some other problem in the stifle area...

I would be cautious of waiting til he's under saddle, partly because many conditions are better treated as early as possible (I'm thinking OCD and similar) PLUS, your vet would have to declare that he has seen this horse for this condition now therefore invalidating your claim should you make it in more than a years time...

Can I ask his breeding? just wondering as I have had a filly with OCD...would be interesting to see how closely they are related...
 
Hi Scally,

Vet had an 'off the record' check whilst visiting one of my other horses so hopefully wont be on records?

It does sound a bit like what your describing - did your horse require surgery? If so what was it like etc and how long was the recovery time?
Not keen on GA as 1:100 horses die through non surgical related complications and don't want to put him through anything too drastic.

He is in over night and out for as long as possible during the day. Nowhere else near by offers 24/7 turnout so I think my self luck where I am at present.

Would gental exercise help or joint suplement perhaps?

Thank you for your help!
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No mine is being injected, (has to be done under sedation) that will tighten up the ligament and stop the problem, I cannot remember the name of it, but vet is here Monday so I can let you know then if you would like.

There is a minor op, that can involve cutting the ligament, which can be done at home standing, but I much prefer the sound of the injection and the results it has given.
 
How was the diagnosis reached? My Vet is very good but didn't seem overly keen to start treatment or where to even start!
I would love to know how you get on so pls PM me! Are ours related?!

'Ofcourse youcan' - I would love nothing better than to have my boys out 24/7 but no one around offers that facility and renting a field is not optional as it is not secure to leave horses out unsupervised due to theft being very high
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I'm not certain if this condition has exactly the symptoms you describe,but have you considered EPSM?? It is a muscle wasting condition that affects the back end and affects about two thirds of the larger heavier breeds,in varying degrees (often so mild it's hardly noticable,hence not hearing much about it).It is often mis-diagnosed as shivers,and has been found to be a underlying cause of horses who do have shivers.

It can often be controlled with diet,low sugar high fat is most effective.Avoid cereals and feed lot's of oil.This diet won't do any harm to horses that don't suffer from EPSM,so maybe worth a try and see if it helps??
 
Hi Devonlass,

Already on high fibre non suger high fat diet!
He is very well muscled with no signs of wasted.
Maybe I will call vet again and ask for investigations like x-rays to put mind at rest.....:(
 
His is very obvious, and his leg does stick, you have to look carefully as sometimes it will look as though he is trying to kick you, or reluctant to do as asked but he just needs time to move.

Sadly not related in breeding mine is by Animo KWPN, but he is huge in height and joints. I will let you know Monday the whole diagnosis etc and treatment (injection name) from my vet.

At least he is getting out, my lad is better out as much as possible obviously on in days at present, but once out 24/7 the symptoms are far less, also have a 20 x 12 stable has helped him a lot.
 
Some very good racehorses have shivers or springhalt, take each day as it comes, please don't looking for trouble as the old saying goes it will find you. It's not the end of the world.
 
Hi JohnRobert,

I've tried not looking for trouble but now I'm really worried that I've left it too late and could have treated him if diagnosed earlier!
Was previously worried re stringhalt or shivers but now after all these posts I'm more worried about OCD!
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Shivers/Stringhalt seems the better diagnosis now
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I think it is really important for you to get a proper neurological workup done by and expert vet who specialises in these issues. He may have some neurological issue on the other hand he may have a problem in his pelvis which needs x-ray/checking out before the physio will have any significant effect. Good Luck and get a referral to an expert :-)
 
My boy lifts his leg like hes going to kick too!
If I ask him to pick up to clean out feet he lifts leg as high as possible and it trembles.
I can just about get him to relax it for a few seconds but he hardly ever puts his full weight into my hand
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They do sound very very similar and the sooner treated the quickest mended, if this is what yours has.

I will let you know Monday evening the whole deal.
 
If it's shiver or springhalt didn't matter how early you went to vet as there is nothing you can do and it doesn't affect horse at all just the owner as they worry a lot about it. I know this sounds really stupid but take one day at a time till you find out what the problem is and once you've found out then you can go forward
 
My boys got shivers too Ive had him for ten years now and about year and half ago it startd to get worse even when he was getting shod he would pull away his leg and shake it whist holding it up. I startd to use a massage person on him which workd wonders for him as he was very tight across the muscle to the sactio joint sorry sp bad. It took a acouple of seasons to stop the tension appear and now once in a bloom mood he pulls away!! He also got artrist too. Best to get more advice from vet and like someone else said its not all bad my boy still jumps!
 
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