Update on Lari

[Birker2020]

The lovely Lari is going into the horspital tomorrow for investigations as he suddenly went lame on the concrete the other day coming out of the menage and walking towards the stable. It wasn’t a bad lameness but it did come on quite suddenly, prior to that he’d been going nicely in the school for the pro rider and showed no signs of lameness, the vet saw the video I’d taken an agreed. I walked him around in hand later that evening and he was definitely lame, probably about 1/10th.

The rider had noticed on a couple of occasions he’d been a bit ‘bouncy’ on the left rein when she asked him to turn a little more sharply than she’d been riding him previous to this, its such a big school and most of the time she’s had it to herself so she has been riding the majority of the time bigger circles with constant changes of rein and changes of pace. We feel it’s the saddle ‘bedding down’ again, even though the rider is very light. We have the saddler coming out again first week of April so hoping he can sort it out as I am desperate to start riding him again.

Anyway the farrier was coming out on Monday so I trotted him out for the farrier, we both felt he was lame on the left fore but he couldn’t find anything of interest on hoof testers. But when the farrier pressed on the right fore (which was the problem previously when we thought there was an abscess, and I had poulticed it) he was still tender on the back of the inside of the heel although we feel it is something more than that and that is another issue.

Anyway, as I was no further forward I called the vet and they managed to send someone who came out later in the afternoon (I've registered with another vet after being recommended them). They did a full examination with various lunging on hard and soft surfaces and flexion tests and the vet said the lameness was originating from the off fore on the hard standing but he wasn’t so bad on the surface. So, they nerve blocked the off fore and the lameness went to the left fore. So, they nerve blocked that and the vet said he was bilaterally lame.

He also said he was a little sore on his SI and his tendon sheath was inflammed on the near hind, this was the one I noticed in his 'sales photo' that looked puffy and I raised it as a concern with the vet that vetted him to check out when he was vetted - all ok at the time. There was talk of medicating the hocks which would help the SI although nothing much was found on flexion, he’d passed his flexions previously with both my vet and the vet that vetted him. He was described as being 0.5 lame on the right fore on the surface but worse on the concrete so they think he possibly has some coffin joint/navicular issues as he's had such a hard life previously eventing and jumping.

He found a spot about 2 inches back from the withers which he feels he was quite reactive to so says that he feels that an x-ray might be a good idea.

So we are off for a full investigation and the continuation of the claim I already have open with the SI which I am hoping will be a catch all for the hind suspensories and the hocks.

The vet said he could continue to be ridden as his lameness is so insignificant but he feels we are catching this early and that intervention now will prevent future issues and over compensating problems from occurring. So the rider rode him last night and she did a super job as always, his paces are amazing, no sign of any lameness, he is slowly building his strength and topline is improving even more since the rider has been riding him. I’m hoping we get some positive news, I feel quite sick with worry and I am wondering whether I will ever have the chance to ride this lovely horse again, its 5 months tomorrow since I first collected him from his previous home and I've ridden him 8 times in total.

Positive vibes please.

 

[Roxylola]

Hope you get him all sorted - it sounds tentatively positive though from the vet

 

[Birker2020]

Hope you get him all sorted - it sounds tentatively positive though from the vet

Thank you, its been quite a roller coaster. You wouldn't know there was much wrong with him to be honest, but better to fix it now instead of it causing problems further on.

 

[Rumtytum]

Positive vibes and ? on their way and yes, you’re absolutely right to get it sorted now instead of trouble further on. Good luck!

 

[View]

Well done for catching it and investigating.

positive vibes for him.

 

[tda]

Hope you can find and treat something definite, so you can get riding!

 

[Birker2020]

Hope you can find and treat something definite, so you can get riding!

Me too! It's been far too long. It feels like its not my horse. On the plus side someone has said I can ride one of their horses for a bit, so I'm very excited at the prospect.

Few stills from last night's session, his canter is so elevated now, she's such a brill rider, so envious.

 

[Ratface]

"Every cloud . . ." etc.

 

[Smoky 2022]

Sending positive vibes for you.

 

[[59668]]

Good luck. I hope there is nothing major and it can be sorted quickly.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I do so hope that it all works out for you and Lari .

Little niggles caught in time and dealt with won't go on to be big niggles.

 

[Birker2020]

I do so hope that it all works out for you and Lari .

Little niggles caught in time and dealt with won't go on to be big niggles.

Thanks. That's right, hopefully avoid all the over compensatory problems further down the line. I just want him to be comfortable. He's mine for keeps now by the looks of it so I need to do what I can.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

He is such a stunning horse and so lucky to have ended up with you, someone who is prepared to go the extra mile instead of ignoring any problems and just carrying on. Fingers crossed for both of you.

 

[Birker2020]

He is such a stunning horse and so lucky to have ended up with you, someone who is prepared to go the extra mile instead of ignoring any problems and just carrying on. Fingers crossed for both of you.

Aw thank you. He is rather lovely isn't he?
I can't wait to do a dressage test on him.

 

[southerncomfort]

Sounds like you picked this issue up early B. Rubbish for you to have another setback but sounds like this is very treatable. Fingers crossed we'll get that picture of you on board very soon! ?

 

[Birker2020]

Quite good news. Visit to vets today. Lari had a comprehensive workup on hard, soft lunge and trot up.

We had his back xrayed over area of concern, two vetebrae touching 1/3 way down the spinous process but not certain this is the culprit. Had SI medicated and hocks done too and xrayed feet. Navicular looking good on both, coffin joint signs of arthritis but nothing too significant.

2 days box rest, 2 days in hand box rest, turnout into small paddock then back to normal after a week. Week 1 walk, week 2 walk and trot.

Hoping to see a difference, if not will be medicating the gap between the spinous processes.

Fantastic vets, they all look at the horse and confer, so you get lots of fresh eyes instead of just one pair.

Got back to yard, was asked by someone how we'd got on and they inferred because I'd bought a comp horse and was only having it ridden 3 days a week this was why he'd been playing up and this was the source of his issues. Said he's clearly bored. When i tried to explain about the vets findings it fell on deaf ears. Its so frustrating and dissheartening.

Maybe i just ought to ride him into the ground and ignore any pain signals. What a joke! Grrr

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Best thing is to not discuss with fellow liveries 'I am following vets' advice/ Vet has given me a plan' will suffice.

Good luck!

 

[Bernster]

Out of interest was it just via X-rays, or did they do mri, bone scan or other diagnostics? I use RVC and they seem to throw the lot at them, inc those sensor pad things, but I’m never sure they really aid the less expensive diagnostic tools!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Good luck. I've had excellent results after having the hocks and the SI medicated on the same day. You get a pain free window in which to re-educate the horse to move correctly, then it can much better keep itself sound.

 

[Goldenstar]

In a mature horse that’s done some work the results from that work up would not trouble me much it’s a case learning how best to manage him
I would consider putting some steroid in the back , why didn’t they ? and gel in the hocks in the near future .
I think there’s every chance you will have loads of fun with him.

Some osphos might be a good idea at some point.

 

[SEL]

Maybe i just ought to ride him into the ground and ignore any pain signals. What a joke! Grrr

I got that about an hour after x rays done at the yard (so they all knew the vet was there) which left me really miserable and trying not to bawl my eyes out. I don't actually think the majority of my fellow liveries had even been able to see the lameness.

I've had good results with gel injections into the hocks if you find the steroid wears off, but you sound like you have the vets on side and being proactive which is always a good start. SI injections made a massive difference to my big mare even though they couldn't find much on the ultrasound and is the one area I'd definitely have done again.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm presuming that the hock injections were gel injections, or at any rate not steroid? Is that right, B2020?

Vets wouldn't give a horse 4 steroid jabs in one day, that's too risky, but they would do 2 x steroid and 2 x gel. Gel is too viscous for the SI, so it would have to go in the hocks. That's what I've had done on two different horses, with excellent long lasting results.

 

[Birker2020]

Out of interest was it just via X-rays, or did they do mri, bone scan or other diagnostics? I use RVC and they seem to throw the lot at them, inc those sensor pad things, but I’m never sure they really aid the less expensive diagnostic tools!

It was x-rays, my insurance company SEIB require anything like that in writing.
I was very impressed with this vets, their set up was amazing.

 

[Birker2020]

In a mature horse that’s done some work the results from that work up would not trouble me much it’s a case learning how best to manage him
I would consider putting some steroid in the back , why didn’t they ? and gel in the hocks in the near future .
I think there’s every chance you will have loads of fun with him.

Some osphos might be a good idea at some point.

Because they'd put steroid in the SI and steroid in the hocks it was too much to do the back as well, too bigger risk with laminitis risk. As it is he's stopping in for four days. The vet said the back might be a misnomer anyway and of no significance as horses show issues on x-ray that don't cause them issues in life.

So its a case of 'see how you get on and we can revisit the back and inject at a later date' type of thing which seems good.

 

[Birker2020]

I'm presuming that the hock injections were gel injections, or at any rate not steroid? Is that right, B2020?

Vets wouldn't give a horse 4 steroid jabs in one day, that's too risky, but they would do 2 x steroid and 2 x gel. Gel is too viscous for the SI, so it would have to go in the hocks. That's what I've had done on two different horses, with excellent long lasting results.

They did both hocks and SI with steroid yes. Said it was okay, so long as horse stopping in for four days with the first two complete box rest, the following two hand graze/walk in hand for a bit. Going to make his paddock really small on Saturday ready for sedalin turnout Sunday.

They are happy to come and do the coffin joints at the yard at a later date. I have to try and fit it in with work as I've had two four day weeks in a row and with the possible new excess (if the insurance play up) then its a lot of money its costing me all over again.

I really hope he's worth it, and out of pain.

 

[throwawayaccount]

He’s very lucky to have you Birker, a lot of owners would turn their head the other way. Take care of yourself as it’s emotionally draining dealing with problems in horses, especially as you’ve been through them before. Xx

 

[Birker2020]

He’s very lucky to have you Birker, a lot of owners would turn their head the other way. Take care of yourself as it’s emotionally draining dealing with problems in horses, especially as you’ve been through them before. Xx

Thank you. Yes I am finding it emotionally draining, especially yesterday, spending four hours at the vets, I was so shattered I was asleep by 8pm. And this morning I complained to my partner about having to go up before work this week, but when I'm there I actually really enjoy it especially now its lighter in the morning, its quite nice. I've got a dreadful cold (tested negative three times on a lateral flow) and I'm really chesty so got no sleep last night, coughing all night. Every time I lay down it started off another coughing fit so I ended up sleeping propped up with pillows in bed, not nice.

Lari was very quiet this morning and his bed was absolutely soaking so not sure what that's all about but will monitor him. He's eating but not drinking as much as he normally does. At the clinic they had automatic waterers so its hard to know how much they were drinking but he doesn't seem as interested in his water as he normally is, so I will monitor that too.

 

[throwawayaccount]

Sorry to hear that, sounds like it’s taking it’s toll on you. Understandable tho. How are you both doing? X

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Sorry to hear this Birker. I remember reading your posts when you were looking for a horse after losing your last horse. This seems so unfair things have gone this way. I know how hard this can be so please make sure you look after yourself

 

[Birker2020]

Sorry to hear that, sounds like it’s taking it’s toll on you. Understandable tho. How are you both doing? X

Not too bad thank you. He went out yesterday in the paddock after he's four days box rest and seemed to be happy enough but he's very quiet so I am not sure why this might be. Either he's in pain since having the treatment or he is feeling better and more relaxed. There is not stiffness or heat or anything so I will just continue to monitor him.

Hopefully the pro rider will be restaring riding him this week, he can only do walk for a week to start but it will be nice to see if there is any chance in his going.

And, exciting stuff, I went out for a little hack on a friends horse. I rode around the yard a few times and then went down the lane and back with a lady on the yard. It was lovely to be back in the saddle, albeit I was a bit stiff.

I just can't wait to sit on Lari again, its given me a new thirst I think.