KrankyKaty
Member
Hi I'm new to the forum and hoping its not rude to ask for help without introducing myself. Briefly, I'm Katy and I have a 12 year old 15.3 middleweight cob x who i've had from 5yrs old. He's always been forward going but walks slowly down hills, has a stiff hip and is regularly seen by a physio a couple of times a year. He's reluctant to pick up the hind leg on his stiff side for picking out, and it takes a minute to get him to relax.
He had some discomfort in his back last year (2010) and physio did some what I think was shock wave treatment and he had some time off, but came back early this year 2011, fine and working much as before.
A few days ago he started, for no apparent reason standing in his stable, with food and water and his usual bed, squealing and kicking out quite violently with his back legs. The day before he started this the physio had been out and found him to be really sensitive in the lower back. Two days after Xmas I called vet out (BH callout but so stressed I didn't care) and he poked his back thoroughly and got no reaction at all! Horse still squealing and kicking out in stable. Vet gave me bute to give him, 4 a day for 3 days and then 2 a day for 3 days to see if squealing stopped with painkillers, it didn't. We're on day two of 4 bute and he's still squealing. He's only in for a few hours during the day, but I don't know if he does it in the field too, nobody has seen him but it's a small yard so doubt anyone would. Incidentally on trotting up and flexion tests he was sound and level (for him, allowing for usual stiffness). He's always got hay in stable as I do adlib so he's not hungry, eats most of it but never finishes it all.
Anyone have any ideas or seen another horse do this? I've had him years and never done this before. Could it be Sacroilliac injury if vet couldn't get a reaction but physio could? For background his saddle is checked regularly, physio a few times a year, he's been in very light work, a little schooling/light hacking, no jumping. He's not fit and is a bit overweight I'd say and he seems to have dropped his belly a bit. Only thing not done recently is his teeth.
Really grateful for any help.
He had some discomfort in his back last year (2010) and physio did some what I think was shock wave treatment and he had some time off, but came back early this year 2011, fine and working much as before.
A few days ago he started, for no apparent reason standing in his stable, with food and water and his usual bed, squealing and kicking out quite violently with his back legs. The day before he started this the physio had been out and found him to be really sensitive in the lower back. Two days after Xmas I called vet out (BH callout but so stressed I didn't care) and he poked his back thoroughly and got no reaction at all! Horse still squealing and kicking out in stable. Vet gave me bute to give him, 4 a day for 3 days and then 2 a day for 3 days to see if squealing stopped with painkillers, it didn't. We're on day two of 4 bute and he's still squealing. He's only in for a few hours during the day, but I don't know if he does it in the field too, nobody has seen him but it's a small yard so doubt anyone would. Incidentally on trotting up and flexion tests he was sound and level (for him, allowing for usual stiffness). He's always got hay in stable as I do adlib so he's not hungry, eats most of it but never finishes it all.
Anyone have any ideas or seen another horse do this? I've had him years and never done this before. Could it be Sacroilliac injury if vet couldn't get a reaction but physio could? For background his saddle is checked regularly, physio a few times a year, he's been in very light work, a little schooling/light hacking, no jumping. He's not fit and is a bit overweight I'd say and he seems to have dropped his belly a bit. Only thing not done recently is his teeth.
Really grateful for any help.
