NotSoSillyFilly
Member
Bought new horse 8wks ago, passed 5 stage vetting, turns out he's a shiverer and has been since previous owners bought him. He was a little stiff behind but we put that down to him being the type of horse who needs a little more warming up than others, also he had little condition especially on hindquarters. The shivering has been consistent but the stiffness appears to be gradually getting worse with a reluctance to move away in walk when being ridden. Going up the gears is fine once he gets moving. Last night, he wouldn't move off the leg from standing and he keeps bending his head round to his side, as if looking at his hind quarters (trying to tell me something?). He's been checked out by our vet (top guy) who says he's not lame and is a bit stiff but I'm concerned he's in pain. Saddler is professional and came recommended so don't think it's that. I'm worried that he has other issues as people who sold him seem a bit dodgy now as their stories don't add up!
Horse wasn't ridden for first two weeks as had to find right saddle for high withered shape. He was stabled for first week and lunged most days while we sorted out his paddock. When eventually ridden, he appeared to have no real problems with stiffness. Now he's being ridden most days, sometimes hacking with a bit of hill work, sometimes schooling. He looks in better condition and we're trying to build up his top line and muscle up his hind quarters. Why is he getting stiffer as times goes on? He's on a high oil diet with lots of fibre, which is better than the diet he was on when we got him. He's turned out every day 0830 - 1630 and has a large paddock to move around in....so much so that he's had 3 overreach injuries in the 8 wks we've had him (which is the opposite to what I'd have expected!).
Could he have been injected with cortisone before the vetting and it's now wearing off? Would cortisone be detected in blood taken at vetting? Also concerned that vet is a bit dodgy too - shivers should have been picked up as it is sooooo obvious. Will I get an honest result from having blood tested? Vet didn't pick up on the windsucking either...aaargh! Am I just being paranoid or have we been really stupid?!
Please help....
Horse wasn't ridden for first two weeks as had to find right saddle for high withered shape. He was stabled for first week and lunged most days while we sorted out his paddock. When eventually ridden, he appeared to have no real problems with stiffness. Now he's being ridden most days, sometimes hacking with a bit of hill work, sometimes schooling. He looks in better condition and we're trying to build up his top line and muscle up his hind quarters. Why is he getting stiffer as times goes on? He's on a high oil diet with lots of fibre, which is better than the diet he was on when we got him. He's turned out every day 0830 - 1630 and has a large paddock to move around in....so much so that he's had 3 overreach injuries in the 8 wks we've had him (which is the opposite to what I'd have expected!).
Could he have been injected with cortisone before the vetting and it's now wearing off? Would cortisone be detected in blood taken at vetting? Also concerned that vet is a bit dodgy too - shivers should have been picked up as it is sooooo obvious. Will I get an honest result from having blood tested? Vet didn't pick up on the windsucking either...aaargh! Am I just being paranoid or have we been really stupid?!
Please help....