DefinitelyDressage.com

This is my first post here! I've been a lurker for awhile, it seems like a great place compared to some other forums.

I was hoping for some fellow horseman's opinion. I have a young horse that I've had since the fall. Super smart guy, vetted well although we didn't do many x-rays. But lately we've been having all kinds of issues.

It started with the saddle being used on him in training really didn't fit him. He was very sore in his wither area, the saddle fitter wasn't surprised given the saddle that he had been ridden in. I got that sorted out and next was ulcers. He was hypersensitive to touch on his chest, girth area and flank. I have treated him for ulcers and has much better with that.

Then we had a sudden lameness from a trimming/shoeing issue. I think we have that sorted out (working with vet and farrier using x-rays.)

But the horse is difficult to do anything with his hind feet. He gets very tense when I go to pick hind feet, especially the right. He will pick it up quickly and hold it very tightly, and jerk his foot around.

He's also lack luster on the lunge. He just doesn't move very through. I definitely think something is going on in the hind end but my vet said she didn't see anything last time she saw him.

I'm perplexed because I definitely don't see a comfortable horse. He's usually very willing so this is unusual behavior for him.

I'm thinking hocks? Or SI? Maybe just feet are causing body soreness? I'm hoping to get my vet out again this week.

Does your vet practice have anyone who specializes in sports medicine? Or someone in the are they could refer you too? It sounds like it may be SI, stifle, or hock related. There are various treatment options, including injections. I'd strongly recommend against injecting in a dirty, uncontrolled barn environment. There's far too much chance for infection. I've hauled both of my mares to the vet's surgical suite, and had the procedure done in a quiet, sterile environment.

Also, welcome!!

Thank you Heddylamar! My vet is a lameness specialist but is a solo practitioner. I've used her for an long time, she's awesome but she is more conservative and I do feel since it's just her, she can be limited in what diagnostics and treatments that she can do. We do have two hospitals nearby.

I think in the short term because if COVID19, I'll have her out for flexions, nerve blocking and x-rays to start. And then pending on that, hopefully get him to the teaching hospital soon for a more thorough look.

I've dealt with hock issues before but not with a 4 year old. I'm hoping that whatever is going on, that we can deal with it. I'm almost suspect about his hind feet as well. He didn't have attentive care before I bought him and I think his feet are definitely a work in progress. Maybe they are making him sore behind?

Thank you Heddylamar! My vet is a lameness specialist but is a solo practitioner. I've used her for an long time, she's awesome but she is more conservative and I do feel since it's just her, she can be limited in what diagnostics and treatments that she can do. We do have two hospitals nearby.

I think in the short term because if COVID19, I'll have her out for flexions, nerve blocking and x-rays to start. And then pending on that, hopefully get him to the teaching hospital soon for a more thorough look.

I've dealt with hock issues before but not with a 4 year old. I'm hoping that whatever is going on, that we can deal with it. I'm almost suspect about his hind feet as well. He didn't have attentive care before I bought him and I think his feet are definitely a work in progress. Maybe they are making him sore behind?

What breed is your horse? Something is telling me to check for PSSM. My gelding had a mild case (I believe) that started when he turned four. I never had him diagnosed because he improved to nearly normal following a grain-free, high fat diet and maximizing daily turnout.

My horse also had early changes in his hocks as a 4 year old, but those didn't really seem to progress. However, he never really was able to move beyond 3 days a week of training level work before he permanently lamed himself at age 11. But that is just to say that even if there is a finding with hocks or some other ortho issue, there might still be metabolic or physiological issues to address.

Straight Forward, he's a Thoroughbred. It's my understanding that TB's can be PSSM 2.

I have the feeling it's something more structural with just how moves but I could easily add more fat into his diet. He's already on a low NSC diet but could try adding fat to see.

What you're describing sounds like a stifle issue. I had 2 OTTB who did the exact same thing--one even would on occasion do it mid ride.

You say you didn't do many x-rays--which xrays did you do? If stifles weren't xrayed, I would have them xrayed for sure. It might be something very manageable once you diagnose it.

Blob, I thought stifle at first. He's unraced (no fault of his own, came from a herd of unraced TB's.) I brought it up to the vet since I thought stifle, trainer thought stifle and the chiropractor thought stifle. But my vet said she didn't see anything stifle like. I do think she was looking more for locking or slipping. But I think it can be more than that? I definitely want xrays. Thinking stifle and hock at least.

I will say I think he does seem better with consistent work. But maybe that's wishful thinking. He's been out of work for a few weeks now though.

Worked with him last night. A combination of firmness and understanding was needed.

He looked fairly sound, although something still looks nqr to me! Maybe I'm overly picky, I don't know. He always holds his tail very stiff. Not so much to one side that I've noticed. Just out from his body, even though he's very much relaxed mentally.

I'm sticking to my plan though because I do think something is uncomfortable on him. He's a good boy still

I've anyone is willing to check out a video of him, I'd be interested in opinions! I'm feeling like I'm over paranoid since last time my vet didn't see anything in the hind end!

Sure post a video and we will take a look. My vet prefers to US the stifle rather than radiograph to see soft tissue better.

Does he have any shivers symptoms? Trouble backing up?

Khall, sorry for my way late reply. We haven't x-rayed or ultrasounded the stifle yet, but I would be interested to do that.

He doesn't have any issues backing up so I don't think it's shivers like. It's also possible that he's simply being a sensitive, 4 year old Chestnut TB I suppose. But I like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Here's a video of his trot. I'll post another with canter but this one is more current.

We are having feet issues. I wonder if we need to take rads of the hind feet too, maybe they are causing some soreness up higher? His left front is a grade 1 club. X-rays showed he definitely needed some changes in angle and trim. We are working on that, not 100% yet.
https://youtu.be/ki8K7vNmfes

A much older video. I can see the beginnings of the foot issues in this, although the vet I used at the time, didn't see anything.

https://youtu.be/-ZmoHVuVjag

Well unfortunately, we discovered back arthritis. Vet thinks that's the cause of him being tense about picking up his legs.

Oh Lipsmaker that is heartbreaking! So young:( I'm so sorry. Hugs

That is just so sad and I'm so sorry to hear it. That really is heartbreaking especially considering his age. Good on you though for noticing his discomfort, and advocating for him until you had answers.

I'm waiting on the write up (I couldn't be there because of a COVID19 policy) but it sounds lower back/SI area. Thankfully not very severe but there and he's sensitive. Top it off with feet issues galore that the PPE vet missed (I wanted X-rays, he talked me out of them which I regret as his feet are a royal mess.)

So sad, he's so young and so game to work. The vets are hopeful that he can be a low level mount but obviously he won't be the dressage prospect I hoped for. But he's in good hands and we will do what we can for him no matter what.

So heartbreaking.
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Oh dang, I am so sorry. I hope he's able to get comfortable and find a suitable job.

Oh damn. He looks like such a lovely boy, I wish you the best in getting him comfortable.

Sometimes you just want to scream, yell, or cry! Thank goodness you persevered. Even though he is young, hopefully this will be a “manageable” case of arthritis...especially since you have got it diagnosed early. Hang in there.

It is mild at this point so hopefully we can manage it. My goals were to get to 3rd/4th level at least schooling wise with him, the vets don't know if that will be possible. So sad but at least I can help get him comfortable.

I definitely want to scream a bit. I had to put down a horse because he shattered his coffin bone in a freak accident in pasture, had a young horse with progressive neurological condition and now this. I can hardly stand up right now. I love horses more than anything but dang they can break our hearts. This isn't for the weak.

I really have to you thank you guys for being so kind and understanding. Everyone I've told outside of here is more "Well can't you do surgery? Or PEMF or this and that?" I know they are trying to be encouraging and yes there are things to help manage.

But his feet are a huge mess, with pedal ostisis on top of other issues AND the back stuff. It's actually comforting to come here and just have people acknowledge that it's tough to find this in such a young horse. Thank you for letting me "vent" a bit here.

I think we all get it. Horses can absolutely break your heart. Not for the faint hearted.

Can I make a suggestion for when you can get back into work with him? Reach out to Jillian Kreinbring rehab is one of the things she does. Tell her Keri Hall sent you.

LSP88-- so sorry to hear about the bad vet news! Stick around in this sport long enough and you get a load of heartbreak. And yes, it's usually all at once instead of distributed around. Hoping for the best outcome for your guy, and hang in there.

At least you now have a starting place to work from: feet. Hopefully when the feet issues have been addressed it will eventually translate into relief for his back. In horses it always seems all things are connected, even the 'bad stuff', so.... good stuff can be connected too!

@texsuze yes I think addressing the feet can only make him feel better over all.

Update: he started acting Neurological during farrier appointments. After going to a clinic, we found that he has Wobblers among his many other issues. He fell a few times (once during the exam.)

So he was euthanized. So so so sad. He had the BEST mind. But his bones were failing him.

I am so sorry, how heartbreaking.

I'm so sorry

Oh no lipsmacker! I’m so sorry you had to make that decision. Gosh that is hard. Hugs to you.