Vet or not at this stage?

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popsicle

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My 17.hh ID/TB cross mare is 14 this year and has for the past few years been getting very gradually stiffer in her hind legs. (Fine once warmed up), but when stood for any length of time, she stands awkwardly and stretches back legs out. As I say, once she has warmed up you wouldn't know anything is wrong.  Now about a year ago she started to be reluctant to lift one front leg for me to pick her hooves. (Kept giving me the other side instead.)  The other day she was mildly lame on that same leg, but after a couple of days rest she is fine again.  Now I don't want to end up with exclusions on her insurance too soon.  She is currently on Cortaflex and has been for 3 years.  I was wondering wether to get her on Devils Claw to see how she goes, instead of getting the vet at this stage, or should i not treat her until she is actually showing lameness when ridden? Any help would be much appreciated
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I'm always in favour of getting the vet out for a proper diagnosis otherwise it's impossible to know whether you should be resting her, exercising her, what level of exercise, etc. This in itself wouldn't lead to an insurance exclusion, for that you would need to make a claim.
 
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I'm always in favour of getting the vet out for a proper diagnosis otherwise it's impossible to know whether you should be resting her, exercising her, what level of exercise, etc. This in itself wouldn't lead to an insurance exclusion, for that you would need to make a claim.

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Catch 22.
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If I don't mention it to the insurance company and then have to make a claim later on, they ask for the past history from the vet and when they see I have had them out to her about that problem, they will exclude it.
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Spoke to them at length before. She has exclusions on things I have never claimed for, but had the vet to.
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Just thinking that as she isn't actually lame that I should save the vet thing for when and if she ever needs treatment for it. What do people think about Devils Claw? Or other suggestions?
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If she goes lame again def vet, but otherwise you could try some home treatment and then get a "general check" when he is next out (hopefully this won't show up on insurance checks).

If she is in hard work or competing then again def vet but if she is happy and ok now I would wait and see and work lightly.

My vet is good on the phone if he knows the horse (sadly he knows mine only too well) and will make helpful suggestions free of charge with no records kept.

This is just what I would do with an older horse who I knew was stiff - I would do it very differently with a horse with no previous problems.
 
It SOUNDS like she's probably developed a bit more arthritis and if she's not lame now, I would try a change of supplement to see if it makes a difference. I changed by husband's HW hunter (close to pure ID) from Cortaflex when he actually WENT severely lame with high articular ringbone - and the improvement to both the actual lameness and his all-round soundness was pretty remarkable. I used Riaflex Complete which is a slightly higher spec than Synequin (which is what most vets recommend) but the Riaflex is considerably cheaper.
 
Just another thought. My husband is a farrier and by using a different shoe to suit whatever the problem is, can really helps ease the situation. So don't forget to mention your problem to your farrier and you may be amazed by the results.
The other thing I would do is treat my horse to some regular massage sessions from a really well known and recommended person.
Also consider making some slight changes to your excercise routine and log the results to see what works best.
Good luck x
 
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If I don't mention it to the insurance company and then have to make a claim later on, they ask for the past history from the vet and when they see I have had them out to her about that problem, they will exclude it.
frown.gif
Spoke to them at length before. She has exclusions on things I have never claimed for, but had the vet to.
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So, in summary, you would rather not get the vet and let your horse possibly suffer, than risk an insurance exclusion? Insurance is meant to HELP horses and their owners and not stop you callign the vet out.

If you are concerned about your horse, get the vet and be prepared to pay the bill. If you don't care, then get rid of your horse.
 
Have you asked the farrier for advice? they may have noticed the changes and can advise you.

as above i would also suggest supplements. The horse i used to loan was kept in work well into his later 20's purely with supplements and worked little and often. He had arthritus from about 15.

If it is arthritis i don't know how much the vets can do anyway apart from off sachet of bute/danilon on those sore days.

Best of luck, hope everything is ok. xxxxxx
 
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