Stifle OCD AND Sacroiliac disease

[Parker79]

Sorry this is a long one ....Ok guys, I have owned my mare since she was 10yo, she passed a 5 stage vetting and then within about 6 months I noticed she was intermittently lame. After 12 months of investigations and Petplan paying out about £4k they decided she had sacroiliac disease and OCD in both stifles

Anyway, 10 years on I still have her, Petplan paid out loss of use, she managed light hacking occasionally and was the greatest horse I have EVER sat on. The more horses I ride the luckier I feel to have ridden her at all. Unfortunately she never stayed sound, sometimes spending 18months off work.

Obviously the last 10 years were difficult, I couldn't/wouldn't pass her on as I knew she would end up being abused as she has always remained willing, forward going and kind tempered. I couldn't afford another horse (until recently) and therefore have spent 10 years borrowing everyones elses whilst paying for her.

Last year I managed to keep her sound for about 4 months and enjoy some of the best (short) hacks I have ever had in the beautiful New Forest. It took lots of back treatments, too many...so I finally decided that it was time to leave her be, she could not stay comfortable. Such a shame as she loved going out.

Anyway the point of this is to say - she is starting to look stiff in the field, she spent the winter on bute, I got her assessed for quality of life back in November and the vet said she is still doing well. When the sun came out she started to loosen up again, I thought she would easily have this year and enjoy the summer weather...but now I'm panicking. It has come as a shock as I thought the warmer weather would help her.

I'm not sure if I'm expecting too much, looking for her to move like a 4yo when she is 20! My YO doesnt seem concerned (and she is very honest). I feel as though I know my horse and can see she is not walking as I would like her to.

I dont exactly know what comments I'm asking for ...... hopefully no-one being unhelpful please......I know she is 20! I suppose I want to know about your experiences in managing a situation like this, after 10 years I'm feeling pretty deflated. I love her sooo much and there is no way I will let her suffer, she is not at that stage of being PTD yet, anyone got any ideas OR experience of OCD or sacroiliac disease?

 

[Parker79]

Anyone? - To add to this she has very good days (looks like a youngster) and bad days where you can see the stiffness coming from her back.

 

[JanetGeorge]

It's a bit late now but I think you might have been badly advised when her condition was first diagnosed. Arthroscopy on OCD of the stifles has a pretty good success rate - but of course it does need to be done before arthritis sets in. And 'sacrp-iliac disease'?? That's a new one on me - SI problems are normally a strain type injury and respond well to active treatment and physiotherapy. If she had a severe SI strain, she would now be stiff as a result of muscle contraction.

Have you tried a good joint supplement and low level Bute - that could easily buy her a couple more comfortable years. If it doesn't help, then the time will come when you need to make that hard decision - she is a lucky horse to have had an owner prepared to keep her and look after her for all this time.

 

[Parker79]

It's a bit late now but I think you might have been badly advised when her condition was first diagnosed. Arthroscopy on OCD of the stifles has a pretty good success rate - but of course it does need to be done before arthritis sets in. And 'sacrp-iliac disease'?? That's a new one on me - SI problems are normally a strain type injury and respond well to active treatment and physiotherapy. If she had a severe SI strain, she would now be stiff as a result of muscle contraction.

Have you tried a good joint supplement and low level Bute - that could easily buy her a couple more comfortable years. If it doesn't help, then the time will come when you need to make that hard decision - she is a lucky horse to have had an owner prepared to keep her and look after her for all this time.

Thank you - she was diagnosed by the AHT and they did not think an arthroscopy would help. Sacroiliac Disease was found via a bone scan. This is written in her notes and means she has a permanent weakness in this area that will not improve - I dont really remember the ins and outs of it...the explanations were such a long time ago! All I know was that they said she will be permanently weak in this area. Having watched her movements its the sacroiliac problem that is causing her the most grief. She had injections into this area (horrid procedure) but she did not respond.

I know her time is limited...just thought I'd still have her for a quite a few years still...now I'm not so sure.