WWYD - new horse

Leam_Carrie

Leam_Carrie

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I shared a horse for a few months and when the owner decided to sell as they couldn't look after her I bought her as I was really fond of her. She's 17 year old arab. I knew when I got her she was under weight so have been feeding her senior conditioning mix and fibre. She has windgalls / swollen hind fetlocks -again which I knew. Now she's mine I am concerned that there is something I should be doing as she seems stiff behind. I lunged her tonight so I could see her moving and she is good on one rein and stiff on the other with her head turned out (she also used to do this the couple of times I rode her in a school and I'd planned to get an instructor to help, but then she moved yards with her old owners so we mainly just hacked). I'm not sure what is the best next step - vet or instructor or farrier or back specialist. Thanks for any advice.
 
Vet for a lameness work up. You seem to be in Leamington Spa so you are very near an excellent equine practice. Chris Colles is your man for ortho work.
 
Personally, if she's not actually lame I see little point getting a vet out. However, I would get a specialist back person out (we have a fab McTimoney guy) and see if she has any back issues first.

She is 17 and with windgalls etc then it's perfectly acceptable that she' s a bit stiff. Age gets to us all! I would maybe have some lessons with a good instructor to gvie you some tips on some suppling exercises maybe.
 
I agree, I would start all the investigations, vet, back, tack and teeth. Then take stock and see where you need to go from there.
 
If I had an old horse stiff on one rein, I wouldn't call the vet I'd do lots of suppling work under saddle and give some glucosamine or similar. I certainly wouldn't spend money on a lameness work up unless it was actually lame - but maybe that's just me!
 
I agree with Patterdale......I would also have my back lady out as she is fab. Vet would be last as a)pony is old so is going to be stiff and b) my vet would say get back person out anyway before he does investigations.
 
I would get my vet for a bute prescription on an "as required basis" because I imagine there is some wear and tear and I'd like his opinion. I would not go for a full scale investigation for a 17 yr old.
I'd also get my back person who does cold laser treatment as well.
And then I would begin a slow fittening process of lots of hacking in walk and take it from there.
 
Gosh I would'nt bother with a vet either. I'm assuming you have bought her for light pleasure riding? At 17 if she hasn't been worked properly its hardly surprising she is one sided.
I'd give her a joint supplement (I like superflex) and I'd possibly get a back person out but I think doing some light school work encouraging her to bend, simple lateral work out hacking, carrot stretches ect would help much more at this stage. Build up slowly as she's not used to working properly.
A sensible vet at this stage would say she's a stiff older horse that hasn't been worked properly, a less sensible one will rinse you of money doing every test under the sun to tell you what?! That she has a touch of arthritis in her hocks, consequently a stiff back, muscle wastage on one side blah blah and panic you when the end result would be the same...
As long as she's not lame or in pain she's not going to be supple like a 7yr old professionally schooled event horse. She's a 17yr old hack/pleasure horse.
 
Firewell said:
Gosh I would'nt bother with a vet either. I'm assuming you have bought her for light pleasure riding? At 17 if she hasn't been worked properly its hardly surprising she is one sided.
I'd give her a joint supplement (I like superflex) and I'd possibly get a back person out but I think doing some light school work encouraging her to bend, simple lateral work out hacking, carrot stretches ect would help much more at this stage. Build up slowly as she's not used to working properly.
QUOTE]

I think from all the comments it sounds like the answer is a riding instructor who can have a look at her and advise on exercises etc. (and also recommend a local back person, which I think is what she needs) I bought her to hack and do some small jumps at the local show. Until last year she did fairly high level endurance I was told - since stopping that I think she's on her third home (she'll hopefully stay with me for the rest of her life). She rides like she's been nicely schooled, which makes me wonder about her back. I was also told she had windgalls, but I'm not sure it was diagnosed by a vet which is why I though that might be worth checking. I'm also trying to find a new sadlle for her and I don't think hers fitted very well. I just don't want my inexperience to cause her any problems - I can ride and look after a horse, but haven't owned one in a long time.
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Check if she is due for jabs any time soon. If so, you could have vet out for vaccinations and have a little chat with him to see what he suggests. If saddle doesn't fit right he might see some back soreness, or if he thinks arthritis he might suggest a good joint supplement. He could have a look at teeth and point out differences in muscles built related to the one-sidedness as well.

A good supplement to put her onto is microniseed linseed, it should help with keeping weight (contains oils and proteins but low starch), glossy coat and the omega 3s are thought to have some anti-inflammatory properties.
 
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