Stormhillpilgrim
Well-Known Member
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. Have posted this on Veterinary too and after lloking at some other related posts am now wondering if it might be shivers???
Thanks
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. Have posted this on Veterinary too and after lloking at some other related posts am now wondering if it might be shivers???
Thanks