Slightly lost my faith in vets . . .

[Montys_Mum]

Im sorry to say that if you cant/dont pay for diagnositics then dont expect a diagnosis in all but the most straightforward of cases. A horse with positive flexion tests in the hind limbs is most likely suffering from DJD - this does require nerve blocks/x rays to diagnose. You refused them - therfore you have a presumptive diagnosis. I aume if you didnt have money for diagnostics then you dont have money for treatment either - in which case its fair to assume your horse would be lame for the forseeable future and may get progressively worse.

Mny horses have spavin that goes undiagnosed (and probably not causing a huge amount of discomfort in daily life for the horse) until they develop another cause of lameness. This may or may not be related. (SI strain vs foot abscess). In a horse that has multiple sources of pain, finding the offending one DOES require diagnostics.

I dont think your vet is to blame in this case - you havent given him enogh scope to work it up. I bet your horse has some pelvic discomfort due to another cause - the MOST common reason for back/pelvic issues is secondary!
Also, just because the problem is subclinical at the moment does not mean it does not exist.

Thankyou for your reply, i didn't refuse the nerve/blocks and x-rays, i just didnt have the £500 for it at that time and i wanted to check his pelvis first as this is what was wrong with him previously. I didnt really feel like they left me with alot of options as i was told to use the danilon as and when he needed it. I felt slightly lost. And as there isnt actually any treatment to 'cure' DJD only to manage the pain, it feels like a lost cause.
When i do have the money i will get his x-rays done for peace of mind.