Shivers - any info

[MagicMelon]

Hi all, the horse I have was diagnosed with shivers in a hind leg prior to me having her. She's always done the usual yanking the leg up in the field randomly but has always been absolutely fine to ride/jump etc. and reversing was fine etc. Since the wet weather arrived, its got worse and I noticed her doing it far more often in the field and sometimes she looks positively crippled for a stride or two and then walks it off. Sometimes it does get a little worse and then sorts itself again, I put this time down to her not liking the wet slippy ground and me not working her as much as the field is so wet (I dont have an arena). Today the leg is puffy. This hasnt happened before. Im unsure if its puffy because shes been yanking it up so much but Im sure it must be related and not some random thing or an injury etc. I'm going to see if it goes down today and if not the vet will be called, but I feel they'll likely come out and run up crazy bills in tests to then not really have an answer since shivers seems to be a pretty mysterious condition.

Has anyone elses horses had a puffy leg with shivers? I know the condition worsens over the lifetime of the horse but I thought it would be a very gradual thing, however Im wondering does it get worse in more sudden drops? Ive tried to read up on as much as I can find since I got her so I was well informed but it doesnt seem like a massive amount is known about it. Any help / experiences greatly appreciated.

 

[Palindrome]

Is it shivers or stringhalt?

I am not an expert at all but if it is stringhalt, it can be caused by this weed :

Hypochaeris radicata - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I have seen videos of horses being rehabed for australian stringhalt caused by ingesting this weed.
I don't know if you have come across this article but there are some interesting info (no mention of puffy leg though) :

Shivers, Stringhalt, and Australian Stringhalt - Kentucky Equine Research

Unlike shivers, stringhalt can often be corrected or improved surgically.

ker.com

 

[ihatework]

What you describe sounds more stringhalty than shivers

 

[Laurac13]

Could the puffy leg be mud fever and not connected?

 

[Oneday]

Could be intermittent upward fixation of the patella. I've had 2 with it patella doesn't always free and causes a real snatch as it frees, often when picking feet out. Both were very sound all their lives and it resolved as they got older and fitter. Vet diagnosed from just feeling the patella and ligaments in both cases.

 

[TGM]

We have a shiverer and when he got a foot abscess his shivering increased. Could be a possibility with yours given the wet weather, the stiffness (lameness?) and the puffy leg.

 

[ponynutz]

I know in humans thyroid issues can cause puffy legs and seizures

 

[Bobthecob15]

Have a good check for scabs the next few days, our horse had a puffy leg on Monday with no lameness or any obvious sore points… slowly got a bit better and Friday discovered mud fever scabs! Now she’s being treated the swelling has pretty much gone. I’m convinced the swelling was related to the brewing mud fever, it’s so bad this year