Stringhalt

[Brandy]

in the older horse. Is there anything, other than surgery, that can help? It is worse when she is excited, and tends to be more pronounced in one leg. Vets have seen on numerous occasions and said thats its not causing any pain and that theres little they can do but just wondering really?

 

[JVB]

I'd be interested to read and replies to this as I've got a 19 yr old with stringhalt in left hind,tends to get worse when doing less work. I didn't know you could operate on it? What does that involve?

Horse is on long term loan from a vet and I was told wouldn't bother him and not to worry about it, but he is VERY difficult to ride - think canter and walk only, hates any kind of trotting, can be quite explosive on occasion.

What happened to your mare for her to get it?

 

[joe_carby]

i cant really help but all id say is why consider operating if he isnt in any pain. we have a horse think he is 16 maybe older still looks fantastic very bad stringhalt still jumps 1m50 classes and wins

 

[Brandy]

I'm certainly not considering surgery, horse in question is in late 20's, closer to 30 so its a definite no no.

The reason I'm asking about it is that she can still be ridden (occasional hacks out) but the stringhalt seems to be worse as I said due to excitement - which happens when hacking out, and then its like it is more tiring for her than having a normal gait. Not that she realises this being a bit of a decrepid loony.

Also, with additional arthritus, the stringhalt can mean slamming down of affected leg which doesn't help.

JVB - yes trotting is almost certainly out for ever now! Nothing happened to cause it, it just came on a few years ago.

Just really would like to know if anything can help lesson the action?

 

[Letslip]

My mare has stringhalt in the left hind also exasperated when she is excited. Have put her on a high oil diet (Baileys Outshine) which also contains selenium. Early days but seems to be improving some and also regular checks from our back person and regular work seem to be helping.

Was told about the Outshine wich was used on an older horse (23) with stringhalt - it certainly didn't cure it but made the old boy much more comfortable and lessened the very high action he had by a bit.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

My 17 yo Shire x has had it for some years. To be honest makes no difference at all to him. So I just ignore it and carry on.

 

[Eaglestone]

My rising 29 year old Welsh D x Hackney developed what the Vet diagnosed as Stringhalt a couple of years ago and he is now on 1 Danilon a day, as she feels that it will help, especially the Neurological side of it . She seemed to think his Hackney action may have caused it to happen.

He had been doing really well until he went out for the Summer 2 weeks ago and strangely enough it got worse .... he has access to a lovely warm and cosy field shelter and a woodchip paddock to allow him to roam around freely, so I would hope this would have helped

He is absolutely fine once he has walked it off, but if he stands for a very little while or you turn him, he gets his back legs all muddled up, so I just talk to him and coax him to turn round slowly.

He had a Sports Massage on Thursday, as this helped 18 months ago as it loosened up some very tight hamstrings and I feel that it has help this time, as today he seemed so much better.

This is possibly not the same as your Mare is experiencing, but thought I would let you know about Motor.

Perhaps another chat to your Vet and discuss the use of Danilon/Bute? I would prefer him not to have this medication, but my Vet assures me it is ok for him!

 

[cundlegreen]

I read a very interesting book by Pat Coleby called Natural Horse Care. In it, she states that stringhalt can be cured by the correct balance of minerals, and that it is caused by a deficiency.

 

[Brandy]

Thanks for your replies. Already using Bute as and when required (currently on one a day) for arthritus pain relief.

Will certainly look for some Baileys outshine, can't do any harm I wouldn't think?

Eagle stone - thanks thats interesting - a girl at my yard uses an equine sports massage person so I will book in next time. Prepared to do anythign that might help! Just for the comfort levels really. The problem with the vute is the long term use isn;t it but my vet tactfully informed me that at 29 (same as yours) 'long term' didn;t really apply. Just being realistic I guess.

Will also look up the book. Thanks again.

 

[Eaglestone]

Eagle stone - thanks thats interesting - a girl at my yard uses an equine sports massage person so I will book in next time. Prepared to do anythign that might help! Just for the comfort levels really. The problem with the vute is the long term use isn;t it but my vet tactfully informed me that at 29 (same as yours) 'long term' didn;t really apply. Just being realistic I guess.
.

Aaaaw Vets can be 'realists' when you don't want them to be, I know as mine is so honest and tells me the worst ...... I would not worry about the bute though and you never know how long they have with us .... they could be going strong at 35

Hope all goes well and please post a pick of your golden oldie, as I just love seeing them