Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
I’ve come home from riding feeling so deflated.. wanted to ask forum members what they’d do. Please be completely honest even if it hurts. I apologise in advance for the long post!
As some know, my little 10yr old 14.2 cob was diagnosed with neck arthritis in C6/7 in December, graded 4/5 for 5 being the worst possible and had it medicated. He also has the start of arthritis in his hocks (has those injected too) 6 months ago but wasn’t insured (previously claimed) so I used savings to fund it. I’ve owned him 5 years and he’s been my pride and joy. :-( He is the most fun, safest pony you’d ever meet.
I bought him back into work, we have tried a bit of everything since December. He’s so honest he’ll do it even if his leg was hanging off I’m sure. It’s still clear he’s very stiff, if anything worse as times gone on. We do daily carrot stretches, he struggles but does them after a few minutes and his neck always glunks.
He’s also on vitamin E (and joint sup and Boswellia) which isnt cheap, the vitamin E was a test me thinking he was lacking something not wanting to go forwards but to be honest can’t see that’s made tons of difference now. I think it’s all neck related.
Today we rode on the farm, only rode for 20 minutes just some cantering and trotting, with mostly walking. He is fit to a reasonable level but gets tired so quickly, sweaty and ‘puffs’ as i’d call it even though he’s walked for most of it and he barely done anything for his level of fitness. I can only assume he has to work harder as he hurts? (or could there be any other reason?) he’s worse than my other unfit horse. The right canter he’s so stiff he can go straight but ask for a turn and it’s so difficult for him, can only assume cantering and bending hurts.
My vet has basically said the steroids in necks tends to wear off quicker if it’s pain related than neurological (his is mostly pain they think, not many neurological signs) and there is little they can do now. Bute won’t touch it, if it’s that painful nothing will. :-( obviously it will get worse, they could re steroid inject but it would last a shorter time every time. He said without muscle (retired) it may get worse.
He’s a real sweet heart, a lovely chap who loves attention. I’m trying to find someone small to hack him out to keep him ticking over but not sure what to do or if that’s fair.
Maybe I’m being stupid? reading into it to much! should I push him through it as someone said? Most owners would push and keep going, but I just can’t do that. He dreads seeing his saddle or that’s the impression he gives me.
The livery yard mine are on isn’t cheap, rent includes facilities and stable.. let alone keeping one as a field ornament but the thought of putting him to sleep kills me. Someone on the yard said that’s a mad idea, he looks so healthy to look at and runs around the field like nothing is wrong. He gains weight just looking at grass so I’d have to be so careful.
My other gelding has started to come back into work, he’s willing to work and feels great.
Sat here in tears.. just feel at a dead end. I can’t tell if he’s in pain in the field eating grass? or does he feel fine? My previous horse was in pain everyday so she was put to sleep. If only they could speak to us.. :-(
(thank you to all who red to the end!)
As some know, my little 10yr old 14.2 cob was diagnosed with neck arthritis in C6/7 in December, graded 4/5 for 5 being the worst possible and had it medicated. He also has the start of arthritis in his hocks (has those injected too) 6 months ago but wasn’t insured (previously claimed) so I used savings to fund it. I’ve owned him 5 years and he’s been my pride and joy. :-( He is the most fun, safest pony you’d ever meet.
I bought him back into work, we have tried a bit of everything since December. He’s so honest he’ll do it even if his leg was hanging off I’m sure. It’s still clear he’s very stiff, if anything worse as times gone on. We do daily carrot stretches, he struggles but does them after a few minutes and his neck always glunks.
He’s also on vitamin E (and joint sup and Boswellia) which isnt cheap, the vitamin E was a test me thinking he was lacking something not wanting to go forwards but to be honest can’t see that’s made tons of difference now. I think it’s all neck related.
Today we rode on the farm, only rode for 20 minutes just some cantering and trotting, with mostly walking. He is fit to a reasonable level but gets tired so quickly, sweaty and ‘puffs’ as i’d call it even though he’s walked for most of it and he barely done anything for his level of fitness. I can only assume he has to work harder as he hurts? (or could there be any other reason?) he’s worse than my other unfit horse. The right canter he’s so stiff he can go straight but ask for a turn and it’s so difficult for him, can only assume cantering and bending hurts.
My vet has basically said the steroids in necks tends to wear off quicker if it’s pain related than neurological (his is mostly pain they think, not many neurological signs) and there is little they can do now. Bute won’t touch it, if it’s that painful nothing will. :-( obviously it will get worse, they could re steroid inject but it would last a shorter time every time. He said without muscle (retired) it may get worse.
He’s a real sweet heart, a lovely chap who loves attention. I’m trying to find someone small to hack him out to keep him ticking over but not sure what to do or if that’s fair.
Maybe I’m being stupid? reading into it to much! should I push him through it as someone said? Most owners would push and keep going, but I just can’t do that. He dreads seeing his saddle or that’s the impression he gives me.
The livery yard mine are on isn’t cheap, rent includes facilities and stable.. let alone keeping one as a field ornament but the thought of putting him to sleep kills me. Someone on the yard said that’s a mad idea, he looks so healthy to look at and runs around the field like nothing is wrong. He gains weight just looking at grass so I’d have to be so careful.
My other gelding has started to come back into work, he’s willing to work and feels great.
Sat here in tears.. just feel at a dead end. I can’t tell if he’s in pain in the field eating grass? or does he feel fine? My previous horse was in pain everyday so she was put to sleep. If only they could speak to us.. :-(
(thank you to all who red to the end!)
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