Very lame hunting cob :(

[steadyeddy]

Would really appreciate thoughts on what to do with a 11 year old cob who has is very lame (off hind) vet says is in fetlock, which had horrible feeling it was, very likely has ligament damage. He only hunts & hacks as gets very seriously grumpy doing anything else! Has anyone managed to get a horse back to being able to hunt after a severe lameness or would that be too much in future & silly to even consider? Thankyou for any helpful advice.

 

[Bigrob34]

There's no reason why you can get him fit again. You've got all summer to rest him and train him up. Just work out, along with your vet and farrier a sensible course of action and you'll be out again come cubbing.

 

[L&M]

I had a cob that had a serious traumatic tendon injury - initially he was given a 40% chance of returning to field sound, let alone ridden work again.

However after 18mnths he was back to show jumping and hunting weekly - it was a long, boring road that I would not like to repeat, but we got there!

The best thing is to get a vet you trust and go with their advice, and try not to rush the recovery period. After all even if the cob can't hunt this season, there is always the next one.

 

[pinklilly]

It depend what the problem is I guess, I had ex chasers / p2pers to look after when I was a hunt groom that had broken down in racing, 2 of which were fired. They hunted hounds with no problems. Known a few pointers win races after a suspensory branch injury, could it be that?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Eleven is no age. Get the work up done and a definite diagnosis, treat the problem and be guided by the vets in the rehab. Good luck.

 

[JenHunt]

Rest and then a long slow return to fitness.... No quick fix but it is doable.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

If you have been on heavy ground my guess would be that he has damaged his annular ligament. Get the vet to check and apply DMSO asap. Often it can look worse than it is. My heavy boy did his at the end of one season and hunted fully the next.

Although the joint was big he was as sound as a pound. So get it checked out then at least you will know what you are dealing with. Hopefully he will be fine.

 

[tractor]

Yes - my dear Cobby was VERY lame last year -he wasn't right all season, I didn't hunt him between November and March, saved him for our closing meet as it was a very special day. He did an hour, then mooched round until hounds came home and I hacked back into the meet on him. He was crippled the next day, so much so that he was kept in and buted. There was nothing hot/obvoius so on vet's advice as soon as he was sound ish he went out, stayed out untouched (looked after, but left out!) until August last year. I got him up in September, clipped his legs and found an egg sized lump on the back of his fetlock, above the fetlock joint - so sort of between the top of the fetlock joint and the start of his cannon bone. He was sound, but vet was called and nerve blocked/x-rayed - essentially all of this found nothing conclusive! The vet's view was use him carefully, with a bit of bute to help him on a hunting day.

So, 18 months ish after he first went wrong, I now have a sound horse - he did a sponsored ride last week and was perfectly sound. He did one day a month hunting, I didn't go mad on him but jumped uprights and ditches if I had to - was very careful on roads. He's been horse catching at the races, and is now teaching our baby horses about "life".

We don't know what he did, but rest and light work made him better. Don't give up, it's so rewarding once you get your favourite back! I've got pics of his lump if you want to see, I jsut can't work out how to post! (pm yr email address if you want to!)

Oh - and the lump has now gone.

x

 

[Judgemental]

Would really appreciate thoughts on what to do with a 11 year old cob who has is very lame (off hind) vet says is in fetlock, which had horrible feeling it was, very likely has ligament damage. He only hunts & hacks as gets very seriously grumpy doing anything else! Has anyone managed to get a horse back to being able to hunt after a severe lameness or would that be too much in future & silly to even consider? Thankyou for any helpful advice.

Steadyeddy, it seems you are looking for an opinion, don't give advice any more.

However my opinion is hard work on your part. You turn your cob away ideally in a field on his/her own where there is no chance of hoolying about with other horses and be prepared to have some long walks.

Cob needs to be walked for about two hours each day with you leading and not in a horse walker because you will be slower than than the walker.

He/she will/should be gradually restored.

Incidently what is the weight of your cob?

If after a month or two of that arrangment your cob is not sound, then you will need to think about his/her future.

 

[steadyeddy]

Thankyou everyone for your comments, much appreciated. Cob has strained a ligament in his stifle, so will be turned away as normal for summer, has improved greatly already, so am quietly hopeful for the future!