What would you do?

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rachelha

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after finding out that my filly may have arthritis in her left pasterns ive been left with the daunting "what ifs".

i love her to pieces and dont think i could ever part with her. but what would my options be?
what would you do in this situation?
 
Oh goodness what a blow! Is she lame? Is it caused by a conformational fault or an injury? Is she on any supplements? I would definitely put her on a mobility supplement to assist her development but other than that I'm a bit stumped I'm afraid!
 
Wait for the x-rays and a proper diagnosis. Then think about what your options are.

Which will probably be narrowed down to 3 things:

1. Retire
2. Light hack - which may return to full work
3. PTS
 
I'm sorry to hear about the situation you are in. If you are able to afford to keep her and would like to keep her, then as long as she is happy and field sound then I would hang on to her in retirement. If any of those aspects aren't the case then I'm afraid I would be considerating pts. I know it sounds terribly heartless but it isn't the worse thing that can happen to a horse. Done in a sensitive way while the horse is still comfortable then they will never know that they won't have a tomorrow. Terribly hard for you, but def best for your mare. I would hate to put her on loan because of the horror stories you hear and I wouldn't consider breeding from her incase it would be possible to pass the liklihood of early arthritus (sp!) on.
Really sorry if this sounds negative. It is a horrible situation and I really feel for you. Well done for having the bravery to ask such a tricky question.
 
cant help but think about it - im a worrier! haha
she's only slightly lame during flexion tests. when ridden she is not lame, just a bit reluctant to power forward with the left hind - but she still does.
vet said she has very good confo but shes an ex racer and has a thickening in one of her pasterns which i suspect is through injury.
vet also said to wait until xrays are done before putting her on any supplement because he may want to use injections.
just hoping its something curable!
 
You have my sympathy.

I am in a similar position with my mare who has just turned 5.
She has been diagnosed with arthritis in both front fetlocks. We are at the point where she has had one joint medicated with steroid and I am bringing her back into work.

I am fortunate inasmuch as she'll be a light hack, if nothing else. It's not what I bought her for but she is such a genuine, nice mare that I can't contemplate having her pts.
I have discussed breeding off her with my vet but that won't happen unless my circumstances change as financially I can't afford to do it. I would only breed to keep the foal for myself. That way, if it is hereditary, it's only me who has to deal with the problem.

I put her on a scoop of turmeric a day and I find that has made a difference. She is also on Cosequin prescribed from the vet but that doesn't seem to have made a difference.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do. Sometimes things seem so unfair :(.
 
I had a thread just like this (in fact, maybe same title?) last week as I'm in a similar situation.

My horse is 5. She may be unrideable. Thinking of just retiring her on grass (cheap) and using her as a broodmare in the future when I have more cash as Quirky above also says.

Suggestions included Embryo Transfer broodmare and Companion Horse loan...
 
my girly has just turned 5 too. o
ooh i never thought about embryo transfer broodmare... my YO has her unrideable mare at an embryo transfer place and shes loving it there!
certainly something to consider if she is arthritic - she'd be a good mum :)


it always seems like its one step forward, 2 steps back!

i shall keep a note of tumeric, thanks :)

its awful not knowing the future haha!
hope your mares keep getting better


thanks again everyone you've made me slightly more optimistic x
 
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