Spinal arthritis in a 6yr old, bringing back into work, info please

[cob&onion]

My 6yr TB was diagnosed with spinal arthritis via x-ray by my vet in July this year.
Her symptoms where -
*Not being able to sustain a contact/work in an outline - she would resist constantly and throw her head about
*She was sore across where the back of the saddle sits, had a physio out to her who stated that if the back was showing no improvement after she had been then there was alot more going on than an ill fitting saddle as originally thought.
Vet thinks that the sore muscle was a secondary symptom due to it being tense because of her arthritis.
I also noticed after prolonged periods of not being ridden (ie bad weather) say 1 - 2 weeks, she would be very stiff in her hocks. Once she was in full work she would be fine, no stiffness atall.
It wouldn't surprise me if she had something going on there too (bone spavin?) However looking at her move now she is out 24/7 shes really loose and doesn't look tight and stiff.

Apart from the above she was fine, jumping and thoroughly enjoying it, no stopping etc very forward going, hacking out, cantering, xc etc the only thing she really showed any stress doing was schooling and asking for that outline, any lunging with side reins and she also resisted/put up a fight.

She was diagnosed in July after me initially bringing it to the attention off my vet - so out of work since may this year.
I have turned her away so shes now out 24/7 with my 2 other horses. Seems very happy out and about, still loons around the field sound as anything.
She is not on bute only has oil in her feed 2 x per day.
The sore/tense muscle is alot better, no reaction now when i run my hand down it.

The plan was to bring her back into work under supervision of my vet in the spring. Vet suggested trying injections and seeing how she gets on.
Am thinking so long as i don't work her in an outline and school her then there would be no reason why she can't be jumping/hacking out again as she once did? seems a dam shame to see her not being ridden considering she used to enjoy it and being young.

Does anyone have any experience of anything i have mentioned above?
Or any advice etc? i have looked online but there seems to be very limited info about spinal arthritis.
Thanks.

 

[ThePony]

I must admit that I struggle to see why you would bring her back into work before you vet has suggested, unless something has suddenly changed?

I would particularly avoid jumping as well as schooling - is she had back problems then basculing nicely over a jump would be difficult or painful for her.

I would give her the time off your vet has suggested to you, unless you have reason to belive she is recovering more quickly than originally thought - in which case I would get your vet out again to asses her and give you their opinion. There is no harm in waiting for her to be well, there could be alot of harm in rushing her.

 

[cob&onion]

I must admit that I struggle to see why you would bring her back into work before you vet has suggested, unless something has suddenly changed?

I would particularly avoid jumping as well as schooling - is she had back problems then basculing nicely over a jump would be difficult or painful for her.

I would give her the time off your vet has suggested to you, unless you have reason to belive she is recovering more quickly than originally thought - in which case I would get your vet out again to asses her and give you their opinion. There is no harm in waiting for her to be well, there could be alot of harm in rushing her.

Sorry, i think you misunderstood (or could of been the way i worded it)

My vet suggested bringing her back into work a few months ago - September. It was me who decided to give her more time, next spring infact.
I will still stick to bringing her back next year like i said with supervision from my vet.
Just wanted to know if anyone else has had similar problems

 

[ThePony]

Ah, I thought it was the vet who suggested spring! If she has had as long as the vet suggested then I would still have the vet out to check her over and give her the all clear before starting work again - and I still wouldn't want to be jumping her until I was sure everything was going well.

 

[cob&onion]

Whoops double post!!

Yes, like i said under supervision of the vet

If theres to be no jumping then thats fine too, just enough to hack out a few times a week would be good.

 

[Marydoll]

Get yourself a good magnet rug, i swear by magnets for my arthritic horses.
Id also get her on something like no bute and cosequin, but have a supply of danilon just in case she's got days where shes a bit sore.
If your vet suggests the injections id go for it, but you may need to work her a few days after the jabs are done i know you do when its hocks and fetlocks.
I think it'd be a shame not to try to get a young horse like this into a working job again, has the vet suggested tildren as an option ? one of my guys had this done a few years back, sadly not to good effect for mine, but i know others who have had good effect.
Good luck i hope you both manage to sort something out that suits you both.

 

[Marydoll]

Sorry i just read your post again, if your vet says go for it now, then i would, the clinical picture he sees now is a horse that may cope with work, a few months down the line the picture can change, arthritic horses are usually better in work.
If you do decide to leave her for longer, id get her checked over by the vet again before starting her in work

 

[Cluny]

Tragically I've just had to have my 10 year old gelding PTS due to arthritis in his neck, I hope very much that you don't have to go through that with your mare. My lads problem was that he had calcification of the C5 and C6 which in turn impinged on his spinal cord which in turn meant that he started to loose control of his hindquarters, not funny in any horse, but definitely not in a big warmblood.

My worry for your mare would be her becoming ataxic in the long term, has your vet mentioned this at all, as you must definitely do not want to be riding an ataxic horse, it's seriously dangerous.