Zoeypxo
Well-Known Member
Hi all, i have a 13yo 16.2 sports horse chesnut mare. Owned 7 years competed for 3 years local dressage and sj also hacked alone and in company.
Then one day in 2018 she started explosive bucking and rearing which eventually was found as grade 4 bleeding ulcers.
Treated ulcers but they kept returning each time so she was sent for a lameness work up which found mild arthritis in the right hind. Injected with steroids then the ulcers cleared and she was then fine to ride again but never returned to the perfect all rounder i once owned and now is rather stressy about most situations and occasionally naps/spins out hacking but nothing unmanageable if in constant work and low feeding.
2019 went lame behind, Vets nerve blocked both hocks and SI with no improvement so told me its probably a deep pelvis injury and to turn her out for 6 months. Fast forward 6 months still lame.
2020 travelled 200 miles to the nearest equine hospital for a bone scan which showed up both hocks. Then x rayed which showed mild arthritis in both the left and the right hock. Injected with steroids did some rehab/ground work for a month then started riding. Straight away when i ask her to go forward she rears with her ears flat back which she did a few years ago whilst she had the ulcers. I speak to my vet and she gives me 1 month ulcer treatment which makes a massive improvement for about 2 months then the behaviour starts again. Pinning ears back and rearing when asked to go forward. Started hacking following another horse instead of asking too much from her which goes well but she will NOT go infront under any circumstance and will rear/spin if asked to take the lead but perfectly happy to follow. Went back into the school after 2 month only hacking and she started bolting. Had physio out very sore abdominals and pectorals which were released. Was working 50+ hour weeks in the winter and no lights in the school so she had the winter off.
Brought her back into work spring 2021 and straight away when ridden she plants herself, pins her ears back, tail swishing constantly and will rear or kick out when asked to go forward, at one point she went up so high she started wobbling and i thought she was going to go over backwards on me. She also is girthy and sometimes squeels when the girth goes up (this is new behaviour).
This morning i had her in the vets to be scoped and they found NOTHING. Vets have also watched her lunge and no obvious lameness or pain showing. The vets have now pescribed me a months worth of bute to do a bute trial to see if its behavioural or pain related.
Im feeling very dissapointed today as i was hoping to get answers. She is dangerous to ride and acts as if something is really hurting her when i am on board.
Saddle, teeth, physio up to date.
Am i missing something?! Is she just now forever going to be unrideable for no apparent reason?
Ive maxed out multiple insurance claims on hocks and ulcers so most things are now coming out of my own pocket.
I want to do anything i can to get her right again but im at a loss on what else can be investigated?
thankyou if you managed to read this far!
Interested to hear if anyone had similar symptoms which weren't due to ulcers.
Z x
Then one day in 2018 she started explosive bucking and rearing which eventually was found as grade 4 bleeding ulcers.
Treated ulcers but they kept returning each time so she was sent for a lameness work up which found mild arthritis in the right hind. Injected with steroids then the ulcers cleared and she was then fine to ride again but never returned to the perfect all rounder i once owned and now is rather stressy about most situations and occasionally naps/spins out hacking but nothing unmanageable if in constant work and low feeding.
2019 went lame behind, Vets nerve blocked both hocks and SI with no improvement so told me its probably a deep pelvis injury and to turn her out for 6 months. Fast forward 6 months still lame.
2020 travelled 200 miles to the nearest equine hospital for a bone scan which showed up both hocks. Then x rayed which showed mild arthritis in both the left and the right hock. Injected with steroids did some rehab/ground work for a month then started riding. Straight away when i ask her to go forward she rears with her ears flat back which she did a few years ago whilst she had the ulcers. I speak to my vet and she gives me 1 month ulcer treatment which makes a massive improvement for about 2 months then the behaviour starts again. Pinning ears back and rearing when asked to go forward. Started hacking following another horse instead of asking too much from her which goes well but she will NOT go infront under any circumstance and will rear/spin if asked to take the lead but perfectly happy to follow. Went back into the school after 2 month only hacking and she started bolting. Had physio out very sore abdominals and pectorals which were released. Was working 50+ hour weeks in the winter and no lights in the school so she had the winter off.
Brought her back into work spring 2021 and straight away when ridden she plants herself, pins her ears back, tail swishing constantly and will rear or kick out when asked to go forward, at one point she went up so high she started wobbling and i thought she was going to go over backwards on me. She also is girthy and sometimes squeels when the girth goes up (this is new behaviour).
This morning i had her in the vets to be scoped and they found NOTHING. Vets have also watched her lunge and no obvious lameness or pain showing. The vets have now pescribed me a months worth of bute to do a bute trial to see if its behavioural or pain related.
Im feeling very dissapointed today as i was hoping to get answers. She is dangerous to ride and acts as if something is really hurting her when i am on board.
Saddle, teeth, physio up to date.
Am i missing something?! Is she just now forever going to be unrideable for no apparent reason?
Ive maxed out multiple insurance claims on hocks and ulcers so most things are now coming out of my own pocket.
I want to do anything i can to get her right again but im at a loss on what else can be investigated?
thankyou if you managed to read this far!
Interested to hear if anyone had similar symptoms which weren't due to ulcers.
Z x
Is she better on the lunge? I'm just wondering about kissing spines. I also think a lot of people suggest PSSM when there are issues with no apparent source. I think if it was my horse I would try getting a really good bodyworker/chiropractic vet out to have a look (I think there is the osteopathic vet and then another one I can't remember the name of, Roger someone?? and I have used Ken Skinner) who has a reputation for taking a holistic view and fixing weird undiagnosed problems. It might also be worth getting a good Masterson Method practitioner out if there is one near you to have another look at fascia/muscle/postural issues whilst waiting for more answers. 
