Standing Hind Legs on Banks in Stable

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Olivia&Archie

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Hi All

I have a 6 year old warmblood who I’ve owned since a foal. Since he’s been stabled (from a 4 year old), I’ve noticed when he’s settling down for a nap, he reverses his hind legs onto the banks of his bedding in his stable.
As he has always done this and has no performance issues I’ve not been concerned however the farrier mentioned this could be a sign of something suspensory as he is trying to “relieve pressure”. He advised due to his conformation it could be quite likely (straight hind legs and relatively low heels).

Farrier has recommended trying pads on his hinds to see if this helps.

Any experiences or thoughts appreciated. I feel terrible that I haven’t thought about this before and the fact he may be sore and uncomfortable :(
 
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Kirstd33

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coblet did it after his bilateral hind-limb annular ligament surgery, both I and the vet took it as a way of him reducing the pressure through his hind-limbs when they were sore. He gradually did it less and less over the weeks and months and only occasionally does it now 5 months on when he's worked especially hard.
He too has relatively straight hind legs (welsh cob x)
 
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nutjob

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Mine used to do this with bilateral hind suspensory issues (DSLD/ESPA). It's easy enough and not too expensive to have the suspensories scanned. Eventually you can see the fetlocks drop too far in walk.
 
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Olivia&Archie

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nutjob said:
Mine used to do this with bilateral hind suspensory issues (DSLD/ESPA). It's easy enough and not too expensive to have the suspensories scanned. Eventually you can see the fetlocks drop too far in walk.
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Did yours have any other signs of issues apart from standing on the banks?
 
Birker2020

Birker2020

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I'd say that was either hocks or PSD.
By standing with their feet at an angle it takes the weight off the tendon.

They might also look camped under when stood like this.
Bailey used to do this, she'd dig a hole and from memory her toes were pointing downwards.

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nutjob

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Olivia&Archie said:
Did yours have any other signs of issues apart from standing on the banks?
Click to expand...
He would also rest his hindquarters quite heavily on walls or fences, at first I thought he might have a parasite problems as his tail was always rubbed. He also had behavioural issues, he became very sharp and spooky. It got worse and he would take off bucking, he was only 5 so trainers thought he was just going through a bit of a phase and he would get over it. He wasn't pushing properly from behind and eventually developed muscle wastage, one side worse than the other. At the vets he trotted up sound, he was about 1/10 lame on a small circle but 4/10 when one suspensory was blocked (due to it being bilateral). Ultrasound showed the suspensories as "completely disrupted" rather than a hole or tear from an injury. I stopped riding him but eventually even in walk you could see the fetlocks dropping.
 
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nutjob said:
He would also rest his hindquarters quite heavily on walls or fences, at first I thought he might have a parasite problems as his tail was always rubbed. He also had behavioural issues, he became very sharp and spooky. It got worse and he would take off bucking, he was only 5 so trainers thought he was just going through a bit of a phase and he would get over it. He wasn't pushing properly from behind and eventually developed muscle wastage, one side worse than the other. At the vets he trotted up sound, he was about 1/10 lame on a small circle but 4/10 when one suspensory was blocked (due to it being bilateral). Ultrasound showed the suspensories as "completely disrupted" rather than a hole or tear from an injury. I stopped riding him but eventually even in walk you could see the fetlocks dropping.
Click to expand...
Mine had hock issues, she had them medicated, then she had Tildren. When those two treatment plans made no difference she had chemical arthrodesis which solved the problem and she went back to how she was previously and we competed for many years after.

If she had PSD it was never evident and I never had them scanned to find out.
 
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lamlyn2012

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Olivia&Archie said:
Thank you for replying! Do you mind me asking how long it took for a diagnosis? Thank you
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It all started around April this year.
Vet came out to assess, confirmed lameness and made us an appointment at their equine hospital the following week. He was there for three days, but he was also unlevel in front. (Hoof inbalance). He had scans and xrays which was followed up with shock wave therapy and remedial therapy.
He was hand walked for quite a few weeks, building it up over time. He had 2 or maybe 3 shock wave treatments at home. He has been having regular check ups with increasing excercise and is doing well. He is due to see the vet next week and think he will be discharged this time. It's been a long process but hoping for a good outcome ultimately. He had done quite a bit of damage.
They are all different so I would definitely speak to your vet ASAP.
If you're Midlands area I have a good veterinary recommendation.
 
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Olivia&Archie

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Thank you so much. This is really useful information. I am based in Wales but will book in for the vet to have a look. Apart from the hind legs on his bed, he is performing the best he ever has but better to be on the safe side!
 
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