Stringhalt, EPSM or Shivers

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FelicityCottonsocks

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Hi Everyone,

I would really appreciate some advice...

My 5 yr old Holsteiner gelding has been snatching his off hind leg up when I pick his feet out. He has been doing this as long as I can remember and his leg does shake very slightly when it is in the air. His movement in all gaits is perfect and he shows no other signs, such as stiff when backing up or when coming out of the stable in the morning. My Farrier mentioned the possibility of him having Stringhalt after putting on a back shoe. I am really gutted as I have planned to Event him in the long term. If any of you could let me know your thoughts and experiences on this and if you think it sounds like Stringhalt then please let me know. I am also going to get a Vet verdict this week. So... If you know of any more specialised Vets in the Bristol/Somerset/South Gloucs area then please post your suggestions. It would be very much appreciated.
 
Sounds very similar to what one of my boys does/did. It didn't get picked up in his 5 stage vetting (at age 4) but was worried about it enough to get it checked by my usual vet. They thought it could be a mild shiver type reaction but not bad enough to worry about and it has never caused him problems or noticeable in ridden work. It was got less obvious as he has matured but he still can occasionally do the odd movement when picking his feet up or farrier working on him.
 
I often ride a horse with stringhalt. He's late teens now I think, and it doesn't seem to have stopped him! You need to be sympathetic moving him around in his stable, and he likes a really long relaxed warm-up before you ask for any really tight circles, but is otherwise just fine.
 
Sounds more like a shiverer to me. My daughter's had one with stringhalt and one shiverer:eek: The stringhalt is noticeable in their gait, it was not a problem but he then got navicular which halted his eventing career. She still has the shiverer - he's now 27 and the only problem he's had is with the farrier, they need a strong back! And some shiverers are unable to rein back, but actually he could so there are obviously degrees. Good luck whichever.
 
My hunter has a stringhalt and it doesn't affect him at all. it is slightly more noticeable when he comes out of the stable if he's been stood in for a while. When he's out all of the time it's hardly noticeable at all. He passed a 5 stage vetting with it.
He doesn't snatch his leg up for farrier - that sounds more like a shiver.
 
Thanks so much for all your comments. Many of you think it's Shivers rather than Stringhalt. Anyone have more experience with Eventers with Shivers? Does diet help? Also any good Vet recommendations? I am so gutted as my boy is only 5 and I had such high hopes for him! Its also tough as I've had him since he was a month old, so feel like it may have been something I've done :(
 
It does sound more like a shiver than a stringhalt.
Try the diet - it isn't conclusively proven but cutting out starch and sticking to fibre and oil is better for them anyway.

What level do you want to event to? The chances are he will be absolutely fine for whatever you want to do.
 
FelicityCottonsocks said:
Thanks so much for all your comments. Many of you think it's Shivers rather than Stringhalt. Anyone have more experience with Eventers with Shivers? Does diet help? Also any good Vet recommendations? I am so gutted as my boy is only 5 and I had such high hopes for him! Its also tough as I've had him since he was a month old, so feel like it may have been something I've done :(
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I been eventing with my lad so I think you just carry on with your training and see what happens. Don't beat yourself up and not anything you have done. Just enjoy your horse and don't worry about it unless it starts to affect his performance.
 
Symptoms seem same as my boy, and he jumps 3' easily, doesn't affect him other than sometimes when shod. Try the naf d-tox as prior to that he'd snatch his leg every time I picked it up to puck out his feet, now its once in a blue moon, though did teach him to rest the toe in the ground and I pick his back feet out that way as us easier in him.
 
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