Update on "dangerous horse?" post....kissing spine....

[Bounty]

Vets know nothing about feet!

As far as his feet are concerned, trust your farrier! Soles generally aren't sore, just thin. Perhaps suggest to your farrier that when he trims to leave as much of the sole as possible rather than pairing it right back as he normally would?

It is fab news that his pedal bones are where they should be though, there is hope!

 

[horseobsessed]

Thanks very much Grumpy_Herbert sadly i don't have a gut instinct on this one. Part of me is desperate for him to not be in pain or suffer anymore - as he has obviosuly been putting up with a great deal. BUT i would do anything not to loose him, but am so worried about putting him through surgery knowing full well that even if we sort the KS out, we still have big issues with his feet. I just want to do what is best for HIM, but i am at a complete loss as to what that is anymore, the more i think about it the worse it gets.

 

[dozzie]

Back problems can lead to compensation in other parts of the horse. Also have you considered that maybe the horse wont lunge due to pain? (Mine has SI and hates gadgets including the pessoa!!)

I think you should get on the phone to Willesley and discuss your horse as they may be able to shed more light on the situation. At least that will help you with a decision.

 

[Grumpy Herbert]

I know the feelings you describe very well! It's the most horrible situation to be in. I had my horse put to sleep in the end, but there was no hope for him - we'd come to the end of the road and my gut instinct told me that having him pts was the right thing to do.

In your lad's case, there are still options to explore so you're not at the end of the road. Perhaps the very extreme behaviour is down to the combination of sore back and feet, and if you sorted the back out the pain in his feet would be more bearable and controllable with bute? And with ongoing remedial farriery, perhaps the feet will improve quite significantly?

I hope everything works out for you and your lad.

 

[horseobsessed]

Thanks for your replies. I suppose my main concern when it comes down to it, is that i have completely lost my turst in him and would be very wary about getting back on him, even in a school let alone out hacking. I find it so hard that he is absolutely fine one min and completely looses it the next. I feel like im always waiting for the next episode, it is all so unpredictable.
However i think i need to get some questions together now i have had a few days for it all to sink in and give my vet and perhaps willesley a ring.
Any thoughts on how i would do his rehab without being able to lunge / pessoa or long rein him??

 

[KatB]

I know what you mean re. the trust, however, if the reason for that is eliminated, then hopefully the behaviour would stop and the trust could be built back up too.... but possibly easier said than in practice

 

[horseobsessed]

oh i know its all just too much! i so wish it was clear cut! i hate the thought that he is in pain. spends most of the day being grumpy in his stable and pulling faces at me, unless of course i have carrots!
Just think its such a lot to put him through surgery knowing he has other big issues. not sure that is particularly fair on him. At the end of the day i would be lucky to have him as a hack. My thoughts just keep going round and round in circles.........................

 

[KatB]

Difficult.

Dont envy you at all. Though tbh the face pulling in stables isnt new

No harm in speaking to people re. their experiences etc. Ouja_Boards horse came back eventing fit, and is doing elementary dr and Sjing after surgery.... but know what you mean re. issues. COws are so much easier

 

[horseobsessed]

Yeah although even for him, he has been more grumpy recently, was better to hand graze today so bute obviously kicked in. Just don't want to be a cruel mummy keeping him going and going when perhaps a line needs to be drawn.
I think the combination of both problems would seriously put a limit on anything but hacking. Thats as long as the manic episodes are from either feet or back and not something else....