HufflyPuffly
Well-Known Member
I thought this might be an interesting thread for anyone with a less than typical equine . Plus Topaz had an update not long ago so it should be the little grey ones turn!
Since moving yards Skylla has determined that this was a bad idea and she apparently doesn't like change just one little bit ... She became spooky, nappy again and unbelievably anxious in certain situations. I sorted out the stabling and field so she deemed it suitable (privacy screens helped loads), I also started her on ulcer medication asap (Abler are very good!), and booked her in to be scoped. First scope showed a couple of grade one glandular ulcers, which fit in with a stress=ulcer response and the fact I had (naughty) started her on medication already.
Now when we were at the vets they also did a small work up/ gait analysis where the vet declared her bi-laterally lame behind , hadn't seen it coming as I was only there for the scoping! After I'd come down off the ceiling and politely refused to go straight into medicating the joints of a 7 year old, I suggested that she was tense (starved and in a new place), in pain (ulcers) and weak behind due to her conformation and she is getting stronger all the time, so maybe I should treat her ulcers first and she was anyway already booked in to the Equine Veterinary Wellness Clinic...
Treatment going very well for the ulcers and normal chilled out behaviour re-instated we went off to see Angela Holland. I explained about the move, ulcers, scoping and lameness diagnosis and told Angela to see what she thinks would be a good starting point in going forwards (we both agreed there are things that can be done before injecting joints). Angela assessed her by trot up, lunging and a physical examination. Agreed she is weak, not using her core efficiently and didn't seem to believe in using her back as a flexible body part... She then adjusted her, looked at her movement again and the difference was amazing, so we came home with a work programme to follow (Equiband for posture and core strength, plus stretches and in-hand work for mobility).
As I might do this a diary thread here is a before picture, with the camped out stance behind that was one of the reasons that had caused me to book in with Angela in the first place:
We are two weeks in now and from the first ride the difference was incredible, she feels more balanced, even in the hand and relaxed over the back. So we are to continue and see how she goes, she will either continue to improve (and potentially need a couple more minor adjustments to maintain her) or start to struggle again and then we can look at investigating to see if there are any issues going on that need more clinical help.
Skylla after treatment, she is now consistently standing better which is pretty cool :
I feel slightly concerned to 'ignore' one vet for another, but I feel equally strongly that steroid injections should not be the first treatment offered when surely there must be other steps you can take first. I'm happy to see if bio-mechanically we can adjust how she moves and holds herself to try to help her use herself better and improve performance that way.
She has been re-scoped and is now clear of ulcers, and is so sensitive I'm pretty sure I will know if they come back (she is not subtle about it lol), so fingers crossed we can build her up and have a happy useful horse that's not quite so weird behind!
Since moving yards Skylla has determined that this was a bad idea and she apparently doesn't like change just one little bit ... She became spooky, nappy again and unbelievably anxious in certain situations. I sorted out the stabling and field so she deemed it suitable (privacy screens helped loads), I also started her on ulcer medication asap (Abler are very good!), and booked her in to be scoped. First scope showed a couple of grade one glandular ulcers, which fit in with a stress=ulcer response and the fact I had (naughty) started her on medication already.
Now when we were at the vets they also did a small work up/ gait analysis where the vet declared her bi-laterally lame behind , hadn't seen it coming as I was only there for the scoping! After I'd come down off the ceiling and politely refused to go straight into medicating the joints of a 7 year old, I suggested that she was tense (starved and in a new place), in pain (ulcers) and weak behind due to her conformation and she is getting stronger all the time, so maybe I should treat her ulcers first and she was anyway already booked in to the Equine Veterinary Wellness Clinic...
Treatment going very well for the ulcers and normal chilled out behaviour re-instated we went off to see Angela Holland. I explained about the move, ulcers, scoping and lameness diagnosis and told Angela to see what she thinks would be a good starting point in going forwards (we both agreed there are things that can be done before injecting joints). Angela assessed her by trot up, lunging and a physical examination. Agreed she is weak, not using her core efficiently and didn't seem to believe in using her back as a flexible body part... She then adjusted her, looked at her movement again and the difference was amazing, so we came home with a work programme to follow (Equiband for posture and core strength, plus stretches and in-hand work for mobility).
As I might do this a diary thread here is a before picture, with the camped out stance behind that was one of the reasons that had caused me to book in with Angela in the first place:
We are two weeks in now and from the first ride the difference was incredible, she feels more balanced, even in the hand and relaxed over the back. So we are to continue and see how she goes, she will either continue to improve (and potentially need a couple more minor adjustments to maintain her) or start to struggle again and then we can look at investigating to see if there are any issues going on that need more clinical help.
Skylla after treatment, she is now consistently standing better which is pretty cool :
I feel slightly concerned to 'ignore' one vet for another, but I feel equally strongly that steroid injections should not be the first treatment offered when surely there must be other steps you can take first. I'm happy to see if bio-mechanically we can adjust how she moves and holds herself to try to help her use herself better and improve performance that way.
She has been re-scoped and is now clear of ulcers, and is so sensitive I'm pretty sure I will know if they come back (she is not subtle about it lol), so fingers crossed we can build her up and have a happy useful horse that's not quite so weird behind!