Things are a bit tricky again

[J_sarahd]

Thank you everyone for genuinely being so supportive. I know everyone at my yard is a bit tired of me going on about hind limb lameness.

@IrishMilo I may take you up on your offer. Especially if tomorrow’s news isn’t great. I would like people to talk to who understand and the Facebook groups do terrify me a little bit sometimes!

@sollimum Nova, my last horse, had PSD (and a whole myriad of other issues which we never quite got to the bottom to). She had the surgery which I will absolutely not be doing again. But my vet knows this as we spoke about it when she came out a few weeks ago. I guess I’m mostly worried about what his/our future will look like if he does have PSD and we go down the conservative route. He was bought to have fun on and be a genuine allrounder, and I guess I’m just a bit sad that we may be limited in the fun we can have.

I know I should try not to stress until I get answers tomorrow but I am an extremely anxious person and like to protect myself by expecting the worse case scenario (which right now is PSD).

 

[sollimum]

Thank you everyone for genuinely being so supportive. I know everyone at my yard is a bit tired of me going on about hind limb lameness.

@IrishMilo I may take you up on your offer. Especially if tomorrow’s news isn’t great. I would like people to talk to who understand and the Facebook groups do terrify me a little bit sometimes!

@sollimum Nova, my last horse, had PSD (and a whole myriad of other issues which we never quite got to the bottom to). She had the surgery which I will absolutely not be doing again. But my vet knows this as we spoke about it when she came out a few weeks ago. I guess I’m mostly worried about what his/our future will look like if he does have PSD and we go down the conservative route. He was bought to have fun on and be a genuine allrounder, and I guess I’m just a bit sad that we may be limited in the fun we can have.

I know I should try not to stress until I get answers tomorrow but I am an extremely anxious person and like to protect myself by expecting the worse case scenario (which right now is PSD).

I am so sorry, I am keeping everything firmly crossed for you. I have one that didn't have surgery and one that did - jury is still out!

 

[Boulty]

Really sorry that things are going wrong. Fingers crossed you get some answers and that there’s something that can be done to keep him comfortable and able to still do some fun stuff

I seem to be incapable of buying anything that doesn’t self harm & repeatedly break itself… one with hock arthritis aged about 10 or 11 although did manage to keep him going until he was about 18 (in hindsight his history as a suspected Irish hunting pony probably should have been a red flag if I’d known what that meant at the time). Another who went through barefoot rehab aged about 10, cushings aged about 12 or 13 and horrendous back & neck arthritis aged about 15. Aaand then there’s the current absolute walking disaster who rising 9 has I think 4 ongoing insurance claims for non fixable issues (although one is just about to expire I think) and I fully expect to be making a PTS decision at some point in next few years unless I can produce a miracle

Hopefully your luck changes from now on and it’s not the worst case scenario (I myself also like to imagine that but gonna be honest I’m being outclassed by reality atm!)

 

[eahotson]

I know this sounds incredibly selfish but it’s a bit of a brain dump because I’m quite anxious about tomorrow and feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I know buying an TB who has trained to race but not raced is likely buying problems (I’ve learnt this from reading posts on here as well as my own experience) and I know that horses are horses and can break. But what have I done in a previous life to warrant having 2 horses in 3 years who have had hind leg issues when there are people on my yard who have owned their horses 6+ years and have never had the vet out for anything except routine vaccs? Don’t get me wrong, my knowledge of hind leg lameness is tenfold what it was and I’m far more aware of the subtle little signs of pain that horses show. But I would quite like a sound horse now, thank you very much.

I think most of us would feel like you undet these circumstances.Best wishes.

 

[Michen]

Really sorry. I feel like there’s three of us on this lose our horse

Thank you everyone for genuinely being so supportive. I know everyone at my yard is a bit tired of me going on about hind limb lameness.

@IrishMilo I may take you up on your offer. Especially if tomorrow’s news isn’t great. I would like people to talk to who understand and the Facebook groups do terrify me a little bit sometimes!

@sollimum Nova, my last horse, had PSD (and a whole myriad of other issues which we never quite got to the bottom to). She had the surgery which I will absolutely not be doing again. But my vet knows this as we spoke about it when she came out a few weeks ago. I guess I’m mostly worried about what his/our future will look like if he does have PSD and we go down the conservative route. He was bought to have fun on and be a genuine allrounder, and I guess I’m just a bit sad that we may be limited in the fun we can have.

I know I should try not to stress until I get answers tomorrow but I am an extremely anxious person and like to protect myself by expecting the worse case scenario (which right now is PSD).

I really feel for you. My situation was also extremely screwed up, how many people find a second horse completely ataxic and for the second time in 18 months? I don’t even know anyone else in “real life” who it happened to once!

It’s actually quite traumatic to go through it all again and you have my full sympathies, really hope Shadow gets sorted out with some maintenance.

 

[IrishMilo]

Hope everything is going OK today @J_sarahd.

 

[webble]

Thinking of you and hoping for positive news

 

[Birker2020]

Sorry haven't read all the comments but wondering if remedial farriery might help.

My horse was placing his off hind midline which he'd done since developing this particular movement pattern in order to alleviate the pain in his hocks. So once he'd had his hocks fused (chemical arthrodesis) he wore lateral extensions that prevented this from happening.

Just a thought. I'm not a vet but thought it might be useful.

Edited to say hope today has brought you some better news x

 

[Ambers Echo]

I'm so sorry @J_sarahd and also @Alibear

Hoping for positive news for you both today x

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you everyone. He has PSD - not the news we wanted but I guess I just have to do what I need to do now. I’m not going down the surgery route so it’s just a case of box resting him and then turnout with the indiba, pads and bute, and the option of shockwave therapy further down the line. If anyone has any positive stories with this method of healing, please let me know. I feel like there’s someone up there who is really against me getting back out jumping and eventing…!

@Michen I was thinking about you whilst I was having my breakdown about being unlucky. You’ve had absolutely rotten luck, and I do feel for you.

 

[SEL]

I'm sorry - does the vet think it's an acute injury or chronic from a movement pattern? My big Appy with PSSM had chronic on her left hind probably as a result of a problem in the hock. She's retired (PSSM doesn't do rest well let alone box rest) but if I had my time again I'd dive into the biomechanics rabbit hole because looking back at old videos there's a lot to improve on.

Having had 3 in a row break and knowing how soul destroying it is you have my sympathy xx

 

[ycbm]

Thank you everyone. He has PSD - not the news we wanted but I guess I just have to do what I need to do now. I’m not going down the surgery route so it’s just a case of box resting him and then turnout with the indiba, pads and bute, and the option of shockwave therapy further down the line. If anyone has any positive stories with this method of healing, please let me know. I feel like there’s someone up there who is really against me getting back out jumping and eventing…!

@Michen I was thinking about you whilst I was having my breakdown about being unlucky. You’ve had absolutely rotten luck, and I do feel for you.

A friend has a horse who is sound BE90 after shock wave on PSD and Rockley once had one that came sound with PSD with shock wave. I hope it works for you.
.

 

[Alibear]

I’m so sorry it’s not the news you wanted. Things have come on a lot since I last dealt with psd and as other have said the whole biomechanics route seems to help in many cases so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I’ve learned a new to me treatment today , which is mesotherapy for Ambers back and she’s had her right hock medicated with steroids so it’s fingers crossed that works now.

 

[sollimum]

I am so sorry, I have been thinking about you today. I have had some success with my older cob with a course of 6 INDIBA last year (2024), he had shockwave plus steroids in 2020 and became sound and was hacking out (fun rides etc) until he reinjured his RH. He had upright confirmation and was not a candidate for surgery.

I would say that I have had INDIBA and shockwave on my foot this year (plantar ligament) and the INDIBA has made the biggest difference - just throwing that in from a human perspective.

 

[TheMule]

I'm so sorry you're going through this again. I would absolutely give the box rest, Indiba and shockwave a good go as it can work very well, but I also wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to go down the months and months of hard slog and expense that’s going to bring,

 

[scats]

Oh mate I’m gutted for you. As you know, I’ve been riding the PSD train for the last 7 years with Polly.
My vets did not think Polly was a candidate for surgery or shock wave due to her uncooperative nature, so I gave her 12 months off and then slowly bought her back into work over the next 12 months.

 

[misst]

Nothing helpful to add but having been there I am so sorry you are in this position. Hopefully there will be a good outcome for you, but you're not alone in this x

 

[J_sarahd]

Thank you everyone. I don’t really know how I feel right now. I guess mostly I’m just dreading a long recovery/rehab period. It’s not even about the riding anymore - I have horses on the yard I can ride and I could always look for a part loan. I just want to fix him.

I am quite fortunate because our YM has two of her mares in a field at her house and sadly, one of them is being pts at the end of summer. She has offered the space in the field to me if I ever turn away/retire him.

A friend has a horse who is sound BE90 after shock wave on PSD and Rockley once had one that came sound with PSD with shock wave. I hope it works for you.
.

That’s good to hear. I kind of thought that it was pretty poor prognosis unless we had the N&F

I’m so sorry it’s not the news you wanted. Things have come on a lot since I last dealt with psd and as other have said the whole biomechanics route seems to help in many cases so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I’ve learned a new to me treatment today , which is mesotherapy for Ambers back and she’s had her right hock medicated with steroids so it’s fingers crossed that works now.

Thank you - fingers crossed for Amber!

 

[Michen]

I hope you are looking after yourself and have support around you. It’s extremely draining and not to be taken lightly.

Shadow is also very lucky, and it sucks that the most conscientious owners get dealt the worst luck sometimes.

 

[mavandkaz]

So sorry to read this, followed your journey with Nova as I have also been on the PSD train. I have messaged you before about my experiences but happy to chat if you just want to bounce ideas around.
Is it chronic or an acute injury, as this will affect rehab plans.

 

[J_sarahd]

It’s chronic

 

[greasedweasel]

Am I right in thinking this is the lad that your farrier was concerned about before you bought him, he appeared to have very sickle hocks? Is there any come back on the vet that then passed him (I know it is a case of "sound on the day" but...)

 

[Lamehorses]

Have a look at lowton equine rehabilitation, I think she's had a few suspensory rehabs. Big believer in indiba & changing movement patterns.
If you / insurance can afford it, could you send shadow there - give yourself some breathing space?

 

[J_sarahd]

Am I right in thinking this is the lad that your farrier was concerned about before you bought him, he appeared to have very sickle hocks? Is there any come back on the vet that then passed him (I know it is a case of "sound on the day" but...)

He is but the vet said his hocks were fine when he saw him. Sounds horrible but I regret buying him even though I absolutely adore him

 

[Boulty]

He is but the vet said his hocks were fine when he saw him. Sounds horrible but I regret buying him even though I absolutely adore him

*Hugs* I completely “get” that feeling as I’ve felt it a few times with current walking vet bill (I did also feel it at the beginning with his predecessor who I also initially didn’t like as a person either but TBF he more than repaid my initial putting up with him)

Really really sorry that it’s the exact news you least wanted.

 

[greasedweasel]

He is but the vet said his hocks were fine when he saw him. Sounds horrible but I regret buying him even though I absolutely adore him

He's lucky to have you but I totally get the regret too. I brought home an older home bred gelding that I knew had niggles, the difference is I paid a pittance for him. I don't regret bringing him home to keep him out of trouble, he makes me smile and there is a lot to like about him... BUT... I could be having a lot of fun on something else. So, like me, you will plod on, doing the right thing for the horse. I don't know how to phrase this without looking like an arsehole but there were red flags stretched out like bunting with your poor lad, unless that photo was a genuine moment in time and I'd be raging at the vet. Doesn't solve anything though does it, I hope you can get him functional and happy doing your job. everything crossed.

 

[J_sarahd]

He's lucky to have you but I totally get the regret too. I brought home an older home bred gelding that I knew had niggles, the difference is I paid a pittance for him. I don't regret bringing him home to keep him out of trouble, he makes me smile and there is a lot to like about him... BUT... I could be having a lot of fun on something else. So, like me, you will plod on, doing the right thing for the horse. I don't know how to phrase this without looking like an arsehole but there were red flags stretched out like bunting with your poor lad, unless that photo was a genuine moment in time and I'd be raging at the vet. Doesn't solve anything though does it, I hope you can get him functional and happy doing your job. everything crossed.

To be fair, the photo was a moment in time and the only photo of his hind legs I had at the time. He has improved in his posture as he has got stronger in the last few months, which is a positive and hopefully something I can carry on improving when I’m allowed to do things with him again

 

[Timelyattraction]

So Sorry to hear that. We be been also on the psd train and did months and months of in hand walking, twice a day, increasing weekly by 5 minutes. Box rest, small pen turnout, shockwave and laser. It was exhausting, emotionally draining and the horse never came right. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you x

 

[sollimum]

Am I the other way round from you because I didn't have the op with my older cob, I have with my younger gelding. I have had 5 years of PSD now and younger cob has gone to a rehab for a few weeks, for him obviously but also to clear my head a bit. He has multiple issues at 6 years of age and I needed time to think about it all.

I think how they carry themselves going forwards is the key - but you know that and I am keeping everything crossed for you.

 

[J_sarahd]

So Sorry to hear that. We be been also on the psd train and did months and months of in hand walking, twice a day, increasing weekly by 5 minutes. Box rest, small pen turnout, shockwave and laser. It was exhausting, emotionally draining and the horse never came right. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you x

this is my worry - so many people have basically said the same about trying for months and nothing working