Deano645
Well-Known Member
Hi,
Following on from successful treatment of ulcers, but not being able to relieve a painful area behind the saddle we had our 16.3hh ISH mare have a full bone scan this week. She is 8 years old, backed late at 6 years old, having had a couple of foals previously, so was hoping I was buying a mare (we have had her for 7 months now & passed 5 stage vetting with xrays having no issues) who wouldn't have any significant veterinary issues having had some bad luck with the last 2 horses we purchased, I thought maybe 3rd time lucky! Anyway, the only area that showed any problem was where she remains tight behind the saddle, following X-rays after the bone scan she has been diagnosed with mild arthritic changes of the thoracolumbar facet joint (T18-L1). She has had steroids injected then after a week or so of rest will start inhand rehab then hopefully ridden work in a months time, we will take it very slowly with her. She is a lovely talented mare who loves to jump, she is brave & has good brain, we have bought her for my daughter to hopefully event to a reasonable level. Our vet feels optimistic that this diagnosis will not be too performance limiting with the right care, and we have caught it early.
Has anyone experience of arthritis in this area and have a positive experience? We have had ponies that have the usual hock / SI arthritis but the spine is new to us. She is already on Bestflex, I have all mine on this as find it a good supplement. She has been seen regularly by our physio & chiropractor since we have owned her and that will continue, she will have acupuncture as recommended by the vet and also visits to the water treadmill. We have recently had her saddle checked by a new saddler to us, who told us it hadn't been fitted correctly before (and we were taking her regularly for it to be checked), the plate was too wide making the saddle unstable and I wonder if this is the reason for her soreness / arthritis, so hopefully now it has been adjusted that will help. She has had lameness work ups and she is sound.
Any help / advice would be gratefully received. TIA
Following on from successful treatment of ulcers, but not being able to relieve a painful area behind the saddle we had our 16.3hh ISH mare have a full bone scan this week. She is 8 years old, backed late at 6 years old, having had a couple of foals previously, so was hoping I was buying a mare (we have had her for 7 months now & passed 5 stage vetting with xrays having no issues) who wouldn't have any significant veterinary issues having had some bad luck with the last 2 horses we purchased, I thought maybe 3rd time lucky! Anyway, the only area that showed any problem was where she remains tight behind the saddle, following X-rays after the bone scan she has been diagnosed with mild arthritic changes of the thoracolumbar facet joint (T18-L1). She has had steroids injected then after a week or so of rest will start inhand rehab then hopefully ridden work in a months time, we will take it very slowly with her. She is a lovely talented mare who loves to jump, she is brave & has good brain, we have bought her for my daughter to hopefully event to a reasonable level. Our vet feels optimistic that this diagnosis will not be too performance limiting with the right care, and we have caught it early.
Has anyone experience of arthritis in this area and have a positive experience? We have had ponies that have the usual hock / SI arthritis but the spine is new to us. She is already on Bestflex, I have all mine on this as find it a good supplement. She has been seen regularly by our physio & chiropractor since we have owned her and that will continue, she will have acupuncture as recommended by the vet and also visits to the water treadmill. We have recently had her saddle checked by a new saddler to us, who told us it hadn't been fitted correctly before (and we were taking her regularly for it to be checked), the plate was too wide making the saddle unstable and I wonder if this is the reason for her soreness / arthritis, so hopefully now it has been adjusted that will help. She has had lameness work ups and she is sound.
Any help / advice would be gratefully received. TIA
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