What next

[Ceriann]

Mare (15 this year) had performance issues early summer last year. I had already taken shoes off last Spring (flat, thin soles with tendency to run long toes, short heels) to try and tackle issues with fronts, with her being a little flat in front the previous two summers if I didn’t have a 4 week shoeing cycle. Performance issues led to hock x-rays and mild changes seen (though nothing massively surprising given age). Vet noted more visible lameness in front though intermittent (my vet knows her well and assessed her 4 times in all). Vet advice was to continue work with low level bute, get some weight off and get her fitter, to inject hocks in winter (to reduce risk of lami). I’ve exercised her throughout, with one bute a day (split into two) - mainly in hand walking, walk hacks and lunging. I have a very good surface and lunging is always full school (not circles). In the last month or so she has a renewed spark - walks are quicker, including ridden, her lunging is vastly improved (she’s got some real oomph and a bit of a swing). I’ve done limited short schooling sessions and she’s forward, willing and seems happy. I’ve dropped bute dose to half a sachet a day and it’s not made any difference. Her front feet are improved - she has the tiniest concavity at the bars (tiny but she was super flat). I am now tempted to delay injections and up her work and see what happens. Could this be the result of improving front feet, now able to counter balance slight issues with hocks? Or am I kidding myself and this is the long term use of low level bute? Is there a good Bute alternative I could try and/or a good joint supplement I could try? I can always have hocks injected but I’d like to avoid as long as possible if I can otherwise get her comfortable.

 

[Abacus]

Is there a reason not to inject her hocks as you have proved there are changes? This provides longer term pain relief (anti-inflammatory) and apparently speeds the fusion process. I'd rather inject than use bute unless she needs that for other reasons.

 

[ihatework]

Personally I’d inject hocks.
The more comfortable behind, the more they engage the less they load the front.
You could always use arthramid

 

[sbloom]

Tricky as your window to inject is obviously about to close. I do see what difference the right work makes, arthritic changes can ebb and flow, xrays do show that, it's not 100% permanent as bone is remodelled continually but I'd want a vet opinion on the situation here, and possible re-xray as they're not that expensive and you'll know what angles you need. Injecting as a one off to continue the improvement you've gained isn't a bad idea.

I'm a massive fan of postural rehab, if you can focus even more on her thoracic sling function then you might find that is as good a solution as any (I recommend Balance Through Movement Method, if you find Celeste Leilani Lazaris on FB she made an amazing post this morning explaining this work). I've not seen anything else like it and it's completely different from the more strengthening/fittening type approach (or even polework etc) that can often be recommended by vets.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Personally I’d inject hocks.
The more comfortable behind, the more they engage the less they load the front.
You could always use arthramid

I would do this

 

[Ceriann]

The only reason for not injecting is risk of lami and before her improvement, a worry that I was probably dealing with multiple issues and I was perhaps better off semi retiring. The positive changes have made me consider she might not be ready for that yet! I will call the vet and get him out again with a plan to medicate. I have just started turning out full time too - I’ve probably got another month or two of rough grazing (sheep with horses too) so want to get weight down as much as possible. She was insulin tested in early autumn and normal so unlikely to be high risk - I will check whether best to re run bloods.