Stringhalt queries?

[Stormhillpilgrim]

Hi all,
Hoping for some advice here on my old ex-steeplechaser Thoroughbred. Typical ex-racer, bonkers but sweet!

This horse kind of landed in my lap 10 years ago and from the day I got him he did this funny thing with his back legs. This would be in the field, stable and tied up on yard whilst grooming and tacking up etc. He would pick one of his back legs up really high, turn and look at it (quite the balancing act) and either leave it hanging there for about 5 mins or kick forward with it quite violently. Some days he do it constantly others not at all and never when riding.

No one ever mentioned to me that he did anything like this and the first time he did it, I panicked and called the vet thinking he had colic. Obviously it wasn't and after looking online for a while I came to the conclusion it was most likely stringhalt. My farrier has also confirmed my suspicions.

Anyway, last year out on a hack we went for a trot on a grassy track and his right back leg felt like it kept collapsing underneath him, so I got off and walked him home. He is 22 now and around that time he also started dozing off quite regularly in the stable and nearly falling over (did fall once - thankfully ok just a bit stiff). He would also do this if once you were on him you stood and had a chat with someone, quite worrying really! Just before this he also apparently collapsed in the field and had some sort of fit, vet couldn't find anything wrong, even after bloods!

I stopped riding him after the collapsing leg thing and he has been retired no for about 8 months. I only lunge him for about 10 mins in walk and trot twice a week. His back legs look a little weak but I am not sure if this is due to his condition or lack of work and fitness?

My question is, have I done the right thing retiring him as I know he is not that old compared to some that are fine and still being ridden?

Also if I have done the wrong thing what is the best way to bring a horse back into work with stringhalt or is it impossible?

Sorry about the essay.
Thanks

 

[Brandy]

Hello

I am certainly no expert but my elderly polo pony also has stringhalt. What you describe isn't the same, though that doesn't mean to say that its not stringhalt.

My horse snatches one or both hind legs up when he is moving, mostly in walk but also happens in other gaits. It seems to be worse if he is excited or tense (so always worse when being ridden on grass.....)

My friends youngster used to do what you said, holding the hind leg up. He was investigated for shivers. This may explain the falling over? I really don't know but sounds a possibilty.

The only difference the stringhalt made to my boy is that becuase he jogs a lot, and snatches the leg up higher (it happens to one more than the other) then he tires quite quickly, but then he is way older than yours so only has the odd 20 minute hack out.

 

[EQUISCENE]

Another thing to consider may be arthritis..

 

[almorton]

id imagine you have done the right thing. one of mine used to fall asleep, sounds very similar.
a very wise person said to me, you know, if hes stopped lying down as much (he had!) because hes stiff ( he was!) then hes just very tired /sleepy! (agreed!)
but you cant have them doing that with you on board its just not safe.
we put ours on low dose bute, and much better. vet advised us to put on bute said he didnt know why but it often worked with horses that fel asleep (cue wise person suggesting yes more comfy so can rest more!) got a point there.