UPDATE!! re "Trouble picking up a hind leg"

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Rochelle

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Vet has just been to see him! She saw him lunged and has confirmed he is sound as a pound and actually flexes both hocks very well. No sign of lameness, phew!! She said like some of you did that it is shivers in that hind, the other hind is absolutely fine! It should only be a major problem where the blacksmith is concerned. He isn't shod behind so I guess that is a bonus! She has suggested having him sedated for shoeing if it becomes too much of a stress for him, and to put him on a joint supplement. Thankyou everyone who posted before with advice!
 
also sticking his head into a bowlful of food takes his mind off his shiver while he's being shod, this makes him worry less and his shiver is less troublesome, just enough to let the farrier do his job.
 
I'm just glad I have an answer for his actions. Poor boy, its difficult aswell as they don't seem to know much about it? I'll get him some cortaflex tomorrow (or an alternative, suggestions welcome) and try to come to a compromise with him about picking up that leg. Thanks for your help though I will have a good look at the links you have posted!
 
TBH if he has shivers there really is no advantage to giving supplements etc.. (though it probably makes us humans feel better!!)

We thought we would have to sedate my horse for shoeing - he was a nightmare at first - but a more experienced blacksmith and patience did the trick. I also made sure that I exercised him well the day before and lunged him before the farrier came which seemed to help as it took the edge of him. He is now much easier to shoe and a less expereinced farrier is now shoeing him (partner of experienced farrier) Also mine was just a youngster so there was a touch of 'taking the mick' but its knowing the difference ... not easy.
 
i don't know so much about the supplements, there is some evidence to suggest that a vit e/selenium supplement helps if the shiver is linked to EPSM.

though my SIL rides our shiverer I have his full brother (both are 1/4 shire so draught blood)
my lad doesn't have a shiver but he has improved so much since i started him on the epsm diet he's almost a different horse

i know thats just anecdotal but the proof is in the eating so i wouldn't be in a hurry to dismiss supplements myself
smile.gif
 
Mine is a WB, apparantly more shivers is being seen in WB now - there is a research project being undertaken in USA to try to determine if the condition is hereditary. It was supposed to have been completed and the results published last year but it hasn't appeared yet (to my knowledge).

Have read quite a bit about the EPSM diet - it seems it does work in some cases - its a shame there is not more information out there about the condition as there does seem to be quite a number of people with horses with shivers.
 
My boy is a 5 year old WB. I was going to put him on a supplement anyway before this was diagnoised so will probably go ahead with that. We bought him to do dressage (to a good level hopefully) as long as he stays sound I will continue as we have done so far. I think its definetly a good idea to maybe exercise him before the farrier is due to take the edge off him, will also try the haynet/feed idea while being shod! I'm really interested to learn more about the EPSM diet
 
You ideally need to be feeding a high oil diet (with a good combination of Omega 3&6) along with a Vitamin E & Selenium supplement to balance things out and help the horse digest each combination correctly - If you can get a supplement with Vit C (another antioxidant ) all the better.
Kate x
 
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