Update on lame mare, positive thoughts and past experience?

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PiggyB

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I posted previously about my new mare who was lame. So here is the rather depressing update....

Had a full work up from the vet. Blocks were effective to the heel 80% and 100% whole foot. Lame on off fore on outside of a circle 4/10 on a hard surface, 1/10 on a straight line. X-rays showed little up at first (other than the start of side bone). So, the theory of soft tissue damage was given more weight. A few more x-rays were then carried out before being referred for MRI. These showed up mild navicular changes (great). Vet advised that there was probably also some soft tissue damage so MRI still a good idea, as well as to get a proper look at the navicular.

Now waiting to be advised of a date for MRI referral and busy being completely depressed. Horse is on box rest in the mean time and luckily coping well.

This horse is 6 years old and has no mileage, so I am guessing the navicular changes are a bad thing...coupled with a possible injury which would have been a complete bummer on it's own (collateral suspected). Feeling like the prognosis is pretty dire, especially as I bought her to event.

Please can someone say something positive??
 
Don't be too down about it. I can guarantee that every horses foot that is x-rayed would show something to make a vet frown....... And at this stage nothing definitive has been found.

edt: Just read your original post back to refresh.


Mmmmm, +++++ vibes x
 
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cant say anything directly relating to that specific injury/problem but my 6 yr old fractured his cannon bone 12 weeks ago and i was utterly distraught!

read things on the internet about having them PTS and all sorts of awful stuff! Anyway good news today that things are on the up and healing is happening!

Hope u can get to the bottom of it all with your horse and that healing starts promptly!

I know all about feeling utterly depressed, and these 12 weeks certainly have been testing but coming out of the other side and seeing an improvement makes all the stress (and the kicks ive had from him) worth it!

Positive thoughts and healing vibes your way!
 
Thanks amymay.....I do completely agree that most horses would have less than perfect x-rays, but my vet was very frowny and 'this will cause you problems later even if it isnt the problem now' (my fault for encouraging plain speaking and 'worst case scenario').

After a rocky start together, this mare has turned out to be the sweetest, cleverest little thing and I feel very sore about the fact that she won't be able to fulfill my ambitions for her :(
 
PiggyB said:
Thanks amymay.....I do completely agree that most horses would have less than perfect x-rays, but my vet was very frowny and 'this will cause you problems later even if it isnt the problem now' (my fault for encouraging plain speaking and 'worst case scenario').

After a rocky start together, this mare has turned out to be the sweetest, cleverest little thing and I feel very sore about the fact that she won't be able to fulfill my ambitions for her :(
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I really, really, really hope the MRI is more positive for you.
 
thanks lyndsayberesford so pleased things are moving forward for you and I hope I can post a similar positive thread in the future!!
 
PiggyB said:
I posted previously about my new mare who was lame. So here is the rather depressing update....

Had a full work up from the vet. Blocks were effective to the heel 80% and 100% whole foot. Lame on off fore on outside of a circle 4/10 on a hard surface, 1/10 on a straight line. X-rays showed little up at first (other than the start of side bone). So, the theory of soft tissue damage was given more weight. A few more x-rays were then carried out before being referred for MRI. These showed up mild navicular changes (great). Vet advised that there was probably also some soft tissue damage so MRI still a good idea, as well as to get a proper look at the navicular.

Now waiting to be advised of a date for MRI referral and busy being completely depressed. Horse is on box rest in the mean time and luckily coping well.

This horse is 6 years old and has no mileage, so I am guessing the navicular changes are a bad thing...coupled with a possible injury which would have been a complete bummer on it's own (collateral suspected). Feeling like the prognosis is pretty dire, especially as I bought her to event.

Please can someone say something positive??
Click to expand...

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/p/rehab-horses.html :D
 
PiggyB said:
thanks lyndsayberesford so pleased things are moving forward for you and I hope I can post a similar positive thread in the future!!
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oh i really hope so for you! im sure all will be good!

my vet gave me the worst case scenario when she has been each time and it started saying there could be sequestrum/bone chip which he would have to be operated on to remove and then it was confirmed fracture and the critical period of 4 weeks of him not causing further fracture damage (ie the fracture travelling up the cannon).

I would rather them tell me worst case scenario rather than bull me up saying everything is good and rosy and then it later turning out to be worse!

It hasnt been an easy journey by any means! And he has required lots of TLC on box rest and a bottomless pit of funds for shavings and feed!

Split it up into stages, wait for confirmation of MRI and just think of that chunk of time for now!
 
lyndsayberesford said:
I would rather them tell me worst case scenario rather than bull me up saying everything is good and rosy and then it later turning out to be worse!

QUOTE]


I am exactly the same. I spent an awful lot of time, money and heart ache trying to get my previous horse right when it was clear that he would never come back 100%. I would much rather be prepared for the worst, with anything else being a nice surprise!
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PiggyB said:
Thanks Oberon, I have already studied this. Unfortunately I can't actually send her there for a few reasons.
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Fair enough. You can do similar rehab at home easy enough with a little help and support.

Navicular changes, hoof pain and soft tissue damage is barefoot rehab bread and butter. Especially on a youngster.

Let me know if you want to look into it or know any more :)
 
Hi I had the same diagnosis when my horse was the same age as yours except that the navicular changes were more significant, she has been managed with raised heels (wedge pads) after we attempted to manage her barefoot but couldn't. My horse is now 19 and reaching the end unfortunately but has been a fantastic riding horse for me over the past few years and although we have had to be careful with her I don't feel like I have missed out on anything with her.
 
PiggyB said:
Thanks Oberon, I have already studied this. Unfortunately I can't actually send her there for a few reasons.
Click to expand...

You can do it yourself why don't you buy the feet first book that Nic Barker wrote to give you an over view so you understand it as an option when you talk to the vets.
 
Mine is currently recovering from ddft injury to foot, we are upto 30min ridden walking (I had shoes taken off) and hemlocks better.
Dont panic untill you have the results of the MRI, easier said than done I know!
 
ALO said:
Mine is currently recovering from ddft injury to foot, we are upto 30min ridden walking (I had shoes taken off) and hemlocks better.
Dont panic untill you have the results of the MRI, easier said than done I know!
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Would just like to point out that The Barefoot Taliban does not advocate the use of hemlock for DDFT injuries :eek:

:D:D:D
 
Sorry to hear about your mare, but until you know the ins and outs (i.e MRI is done) dont panic just yet!
My mare was diagnosed with Ringbone, sidebones (actually like devil horns!!) and DJD of her RF in January, vet said she would never be back to full work.... She is! and she is 100% sound and vet is now eating his words. She has also been diagnosed with sidebones and slight Navicular changes in her LF, still sound and currently starting school work and hacking for over 2 hours at a time after a year of resting and light hacking.

Also may I ad, my mare is barefoot! Vet wants her innatural balance with wedges and pads but it is not happing until myself and the farrier feel she nees them. I think barefoot is the way forward and has 100% been the main contributor to my mares soundness :D We also did rehab at home!
 
Piggy, try not to worry to much until you know what you are dealing with - In January my chap damaged his Collateral Ligament of the Coffin Joint and due to insurance restraints I had to follow the conventional route for recovery (Box Rest and Lateral support shoes) and three weeks ago we competed at our first affiliated dressage competition which we got 68% in the first test and won and 69% in the second test and came third - half a percent behind joint first, Horses DO recover from this - it just takes a lot of time and a lot of effort (And a lot of walking :)
 
So...to further update, we now have the MRI findings.

Collateral ligament in the off fore is inflamed, but not torn or ruptured in any way. (hopefully this is good?? experiences appreciated)

There are navicular changes which are mild enough to suggest that they are perhaps not significant to this episode of lameness (although useful to know I suppose so I can help her??)

Thoughts are welcome!
 
Thought you mind find these images helpful

collateralligaments3d2.jpg


Navicular (just behind the coffin bone)

capsule.jpg


I'm sure you can appreciate how hoof balance, health and development will affect these structures :)
 
Yes thanks Oberon, they are very interesting. Addressing the balance of this horse's feet have been my primary concern throughout and obviously a major part of her management.

I am interested as to whether a thickened collateral has a good prognosis in thre experience of others?

Is it worth noting that this horse was barefoot when I bought it, and still is?
 
Do you have any pics of her feet?

Personally I wouldn't worry about the navicular 'changes' too much, most horses will show something when xrayed. I know horses that showed massive changes when diagnosed with soft tissue damage who went back to ridden work with no issues at all.

Re the ligament, great that she is still b/f, whats the hoof balance like? Could she maybe need how she is trimmed tweaked slightly to offer better support? What are the surfaces you ride on like? I read a study a few days ago on the effecs of different surfaces on the hoof and how a deep or unstable surface can cause tweaks and tears regadless of any other physical factors.
 
I havent any photos to put up at the mo, and have knacked my phone so I cant take any tonight either!

Her foot balance is not great, which is something I have been trying to address since I bought her (3 months ago). This is obviously on going.

I have a choice of excellent surfaced arenas to work in, and ample, level hacking.
 
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