update on possible narcolepsy- tweaked muscle instead?

[ribena73]

I posted last week after my boy went all wobbly legged in the stable whilst having the girth done up, and then a few minutes later decided to lie down fully tacked up. Another yardie suggested narcolepsy so I posted on here asking for advice, which I got, thanks!

In the end I thought he may just be dehydrated as it was a hot day and he drank a load in the stable that afternoon.

Anyhoo, my sharer went to ride him last night and when she did the girth up he did the same again, legs went wobbly and this time he went down. He got up again, she took off his saddle and massaged his back. He was quite twitchy along his back but after a few minutes rubbing and massaging he was OK and not tender, so she tacked him up and rode him gently in the school, where he was fine.

My sharer knows him really well as she had him on loan for 18 months before I got him and so I trust her judgement, and also she's a sports scientist so knows a bit about physiotherapy etc. She seems to think it was probably a muscle spasm, maybe he's tweaked something? I've had him for about 3 months now and we've been doing a lot of schooling to get him to work in an outline and recently started jumping, and with both of us riding he's getting a lot more work now than ever before (and looking amazing for it!), and using muscles he's not used before so there's a chance he has tweaked something.

So I'm wondering who to call- vet, physio, or try to find an equine massage therapist? Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Nailed]

Id doesnt sound like Narcalepsy, he would just fall over, or start to fall and jump back if it was narcalepsy so I do think its a pain respose. Get the vet for a referral.

Physio ask for a vet referal anyway.. as do Chiropracters.

Lou x

 

[the watcher]

I would go with vet, you might want to eliminate kissing spine and nerve damage before determining physio and exercise options

 

[ribena73]

Thanks- have made appointment for Thursday........

 

[ester]

I think there is a nerve that can be interfered with when the girth is done up which can cause a similar reaction. I have seen this sort of reaction in a TB and once when I was overzealous with mum's horse years ago. Can't remember what its called but vet will be able to tell you.