Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
I've been a bit absent from the forum, so first thing is hope everyone is doing well and glad Spring is on its way! 
I've spoke a lot about my (now rising 8yr) mare on this forum.. and have found peoples feedback helpful. She is special to me having owned her since 3 and is a really lovely, kind mare.
Since a 5yo she has had a chip removed from her hock, a year later followed suspensory scans, MRI of her feet, x-rays of every single joint, nerve blocks pretty much everywhere, ulcer treatment. I've had 3 lameness vets look at her, the insurance paid out over £14,000..
In the last 2 years she was diagnosed with suspensory damage in 3 limbs, lameness vet suggested 12 months box rest in 2024. She had indiba and then I turned her away for 6 months in a herd.
New vet (forth opinion) had the gait analysis on her after time turned away but didn't detect any lameness. She suggested potential DSLD.. but her fetlocks have not dropped when standing which makes me think it can not be DSLD and after reading up on this, it sounds more likely PSD than DSLD.
That vet suggested light hacking 3-4 times a week and a friend of a friend (in her 70s) was looking for a light occasional hack at the time. She took her on loan after providing references and was only 10 miles away.
I visited her monthly but long story, the loaner did not stick to the contract. Rode her every day, ignored pain signs (refusing to trot) didn't keep her SI rug on and didn't inform me she was being badly bullied/kicked by her field mate. She also was diagnosed with liver damage and the loaner did not follow her vets advise. All of this was kept on the quiet until I managed to find out and I terminated the loan that day. I had a couple of friends tell me to PTS (and I agree, its not a bad decision) but for some reason with her I'm soft.. found a lovely field for her to be with a retired mare where she moved a couple of weeks ago. She is already perkier, trots over, ears forward and looks to be moving well.
None of the vets ever found a reason for her behaviour, it was possibly could be this, that but nothing ever worked in all honesty. It all started in 2024 not wanting to move forward and not be able to canter right lead. I'd love a concrete answer...
My question is. Would you just retire this horse? Would you give her a year in the field and see how she is next year with some light hacking?
Thank you if you read all of that.. I still feel awfully guilty of the situation she was in!
I've spoke a lot about my (now rising 8yr) mare on this forum.. and have found peoples feedback helpful. She is special to me having owned her since 3 and is a really lovely, kind mare.
Since a 5yo she has had a chip removed from her hock, a year later followed suspensory scans, MRI of her feet, x-rays of every single joint, nerve blocks pretty much everywhere, ulcer treatment. I've had 3 lameness vets look at her, the insurance paid out over £14,000..
In the last 2 years she was diagnosed with suspensory damage in 3 limbs, lameness vet suggested 12 months box rest in 2024. She had indiba and then I turned her away for 6 months in a herd.
New vet (forth opinion) had the gait analysis on her after time turned away but didn't detect any lameness. She suggested potential DSLD.. but her fetlocks have not dropped when standing which makes me think it can not be DSLD and after reading up on this, it sounds more likely PSD than DSLD.
That vet suggested light hacking 3-4 times a week and a friend of a friend (in her 70s) was looking for a light occasional hack at the time. She took her on loan after providing references and was only 10 miles away.
I visited her monthly but long story, the loaner did not stick to the contract. Rode her every day, ignored pain signs (refusing to trot) didn't keep her SI rug on and didn't inform me she was being badly bullied/kicked by her field mate. She also was diagnosed with liver damage and the loaner did not follow her vets advise. All of this was kept on the quiet until I managed to find out and I terminated the loan that day. I had a couple of friends tell me to PTS (and I agree, its not a bad decision) but for some reason with her I'm soft.. found a lovely field for her to be with a retired mare where she moved a couple of weeks ago. She is already perkier, trots over, ears forward and looks to be moving well.
None of the vets ever found a reason for her behaviour, it was possibly could be this, that but nothing ever worked in all honesty. It all started in 2024 not wanting to move forward and not be able to canter right lead. I'd love a concrete answer...
My question is. Would you just retire this horse? Would you give her a year in the field and see how she is next year with some light hacking?
Thank you if you read all of that.. I still feel awfully guilty of the situation she was in!
I would be doing a MURDER 
I have been so emotional about it. You try to do your best by them, this horse has never had any expense spared and then she ended up in that situation. 
