Stringhalt- info please!

[lil_babe]

I have just been to see an absolutely cracking horse, the only problem is- he has stringhalt. Its not vasible in his trot and canter and when he's warmed up you can't really notice it in is walk, either.

I just wondered if anyone could give me some more details, as I have never had a horse with stringhalt and it is only because he is so brilliant in every other way that I am even considering him. I am buying him with a view to showjumping- he is doing up to 1.25 now and I would be competing up to around 1.45. Would jumping him over these tracks make it worse? I have been told by some people it is a degenerative condition resulting in the horse becoming unrideable. Others have told me that it stays the same and some more people have told me it can get better, so I am very confused!

Tea and chocolate biscuits for getting this far!

 

[Birker2020]

http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/articles/0298string.shtml This is a link about stringhalt.

You should be aware that horses that have stringhalt and shivers could also have a problem called PSSM Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy which is what my friends horse has. There is a good chance that her horse may have to be put down because of this illness and there is no cure, so just be aware of this and consult your vet prior to having him vetted to see if it is worth your while. Mention the link to EPSM, RER and PSSM and ask him whether he thinks the risk is worthwhile. You can have a blood test done to check if this is the case but the results take a while to come back and its not really conclusive without the muscle biospy also. To be honest I would be reluctant to take on such a horse unless you feel that you are prepared both mentally, money and time wise to be able to cope with the consequences. x
Here is the link about the connection to PSSM
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care-index/1370/58757.html

 

[sugarlump121]

I had a horse with it for 7-8 years and in all that time it was never a problem, however she became very difficult to be shod behind but I think this was down to the shivers she had too. My ex jumped her up to newcomers and she was ace, didn't go any higher cause of other reasons not to do with her.

However I'd be wary of buying a horse with it even though she had no problems from it at all.

 

[Leary]

Liri has stringhalt, I've had her for over two years and its exactly the same as it was. The vet told me at her vetting that although he couldn't 100% say it wouldn't get worse, he would be very disappointed if it did, and it hasn't. You wouldn't notice it in trot or canter, only walk, and not if she's warmed up. Funnily enough the weather affects it, especially the rain, whereas in the warm weather it goes completely. I can only speak from my experience, but I am so glad that I didn't let stringhalt put me off because she's the best horse in the world, and no horse is 100% perfect.