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Location: MI | My mare, 12yo, has been off for the winter/spring as I've been/am pregnant. I was hoping on riding her through, but she grew a bit spooky in late fall and I decided to stop riding. So basically she's sat with my colt, our mini, and 2 steer for the winter. As the weather improved, so did her attitude, so I thought she was coming out of it. I decided to start working them in the round pen so that once I have this baby they'd be more ready to go.
So, a few weeks ago (April 25 I believe) my step mom and daughter said they saw Mel get up in the pasture and she was limping on her left hind leg. By the time I got home she was moving fine, so I've just kept an eye on her. Since then, I haven't noticed anything. I worked her in the round pen and she's been groomed a few times and been ok. Yesterday she was laying down in the pasture and when I went out to get her, she stayed down for me to put her halter on. When she got up she wouldn't put weight through her left rear and stood there on her toe for a minute, then 'hopped' a few steps and slowly walked out of it. Today I worked her lightly in the round pen, she was fine except a 'little' reluctant to lope to the right (took a few steps to get into the lope, whereas going left she was doing awesome trot/lope transitions very responsively), then when I picked out her hoof after, she again couldn't put weight through her left rear and stood on her toe, then needed a few steps to get out of it and was a bit 'ouchy' moving for a minute.
Vet wants to check her out and likely do X-rays, which I am ok doing; he thinks it sounds like arthritis/hock. I was going to get her into a chiro before I started riding her again just to check her out because she seemed a little off somewhere before she was showing the weight bearing issues through her left hind, but I haven't gotten her in yet (I'm due in a few days). For those of you with hock issues before, does hock sound pretty consistent with her symptoms?
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2014-05-07 2:58 PM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
  
Location: Midwest | sounds like a sticky stifle maybe? |
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Location: MI | barrelracr131 - 2014-05-05 12:38 PM
sounds like a sticky stifle maybe?
Honestly, that's what came to my mind when I saw her, or something hip related. But either way, it sounds like a vet visit is likely in order and chiro can wait... |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Ridenrun4745 - 2014-05-05 12:42 PM barrelracr131 - 2014-05-05 12:38 PM sounds like a sticky stifle maybe? Honestly, that's what came to my mind when I saw her, or something hip related. But either way, it sounds like a vet visit is likely in order and chiro can wait...
I think that's a good plan. Have a good lamness vet examine her. Good luck :) |
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 Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | Definitely sounds like a locking stifle. It would make sense to notice it now after a long vacation. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | If it is a stifle, how would that be diagnosed best? Ultrasound, or X-ray? |
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Posts: 253
Location: EDGE OF INSANITY | I agree with the rest, sounds like stifles. I just had to get my guy's patellar ligaments split because of locking stifles. His was not noticeable unless he was turning tight circles, going down a hill, or in transitions. Good luck! If the splitting works, its minimal down time-he was done on friday, i can begin riding today and possibly run (again if it worked) in 4 weeks |
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Expert
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Location: MI | I lightly researched (googled, lol) locking stifles...but she is able to flex her hind leg when this happens. She literally is on her toe, not dragging it behind, when she stands up. And when she is hopping/walking out of it, she is able to bring her leg along with her.
ETA - she was doing flying lead changes in the round pen just fine with changes of direction too.
So...the one picture that I saw of a horse standing like her was for an EPM article. Which I really don't want to think about...but will keep in mind.
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2014-05-05 1:36 PM
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Posts: 3514
| I would check her stifle. |
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Location: MI | K, my vet can't get her in until the 21st. I took this video and sent it to him. Would you try to get her in sooner? This is the worst that I've seen her, but I did work her briefly in the round pen this morning (palm to forehead).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiwYJI-ZHww
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  Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
Location: Oklahoma | If that was my mare, I would not wait another few weeks to have her looked at. But . . . you know her best. My concern would be worsening of her condition, whether it's in her stifle or hip, or it getting to the point where treating it will be less successful. Sounds like you will be pretty busy pretty soon, though. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I watched your video, something is definitely wrong. My vet would call that a 5 out of 5 on the lameness scale. I would have into a vet tomorrow. If my vet saw that he would work me in or at the least have me leave her. I would not work her or ask her to do anything. Good luck, keep us posted. |
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Location: MI | I know, I'd rather not. This video is definitely the worst I've seen her, I'm assuming because I worked her a little in the round pen earlier today. I'm really not ok with how long it took her to walk out of it this time though. This evening, she's moving ok on it again...I'm going to see what my vet comes back with after he sees the video, but if he really can't get her in till the 21st I'll take her somewhere else. I'd rather haul her to the vet, I feel I'd get better diagnostics that way, but I'm also due any day so it's making planning difficult!
Thanks for looking at it though...
ETA - please, keep in mind that she is NOT moving like this all the time. If she was, there is NO WAY I would wait another day before having her seen.
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2014-05-05 7:51 PM
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I had a mare with loose stifles as she was three and not in good shape one minute she would be lame and one day not. Gave her some estrone, one shot a week for like 3 weeks. Whe she is in the round pen or pasture does she kind trip in the back. That is a sign of a stifle problem.
Edited by daisycake123 2014-05-05 7:58 PM
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Common Sense and then some
Location: So. California | That looks to me like a fetlock/hoof issue. Did you look for an abscess in that hoof? Have you hoof tested her? |
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Location: MI | Anniemae - 2014-05-05 7:59 PM
That looks to me like a fetlock/hoof issue. Did you look for an abscess in that hoof? Have you hoof tested her?
No, I haven't hoof tested her. Her sole looks normal; I will say that her right rear has different wear than her left, which makes me think she's been compensating for pain for longer than I realized :(. She hasn't been sensitive on that foot/hoof when I've picked it out, not saying that means too much. She didn't want to put weight on it when I picked out her right front or rear today, but didn't resist or hesitate when I picked up the left rear (until I went to put it down, then she stood on her toe like in the video - first time she's ever done that when her hoof was picked out). That's a thought though, thanks. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I missed that you were pregnant, you and the baby definitely come first. Congrats, keep us posted on that too, we expect baby pics!!! |
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Location: MI | rodeomom3 - 2014-05-05 8:22 PM
I missed that you were pregnant, you and the baby definitely come first. Congrats, keep us posted on that too, we expect baby pics!!!
Thanks :). I'm trying to enjoy it, she'll be our last (4th), but honestly, I'm so ready. I really hate being this out of touch with my horses, I should have noticed this a long time ago. But anyway, that's retrospect. And thanks, I'll post pics when she's born!! (hopefully SOON!!!) |
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 Nothing Comes Easy
Posts: 2353
Location: Texas | Seeing as you can't bring her to the vet, start with things you can do to help her out at home. To me, this looks more like a hoof or fetlock issue. She's not wanting to put weight on her heel, I'm thinking abscess. I would soak her foot and then wrap it with ichthammol overnight to see if she finds relief. If not, then you really haven't lost time :)
Good luck! My mare did this about a month ago. It ended up as an abscess. Try backing her up and see how she plants her foot. |
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Location: MI | Stride - 2014-05-05 8:58 PM
Seeing as you can't bring her to the vet, start with things you can do to help her out at home. To me, this looks more like a hoof or fetlock issue. She's not wanting to put weight on her heel, I'm thinking abscess. I would soak her foot and then wrap it with ichthammol overnight to see if she finds relief. If not, then you really haven't lost time :)
Good luck! My mare did this about a month ago. It ended up as an abscess. Try backing her up and see how she plants her foot.
I'll do that, thanks. I back her fairly often when leading her, but I haven't really watched in particular how her foot is landing. I will when I move them to the big pasture in the morning. |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| Is she snubbing the toe off. That could mean stifle and or hock, maby both. The horse could have a hock fusing and making the stifle sore as well. My gelding was 60% fused and he did not test as i carried to 3 different vets last year and he got so sore in his back you would have assumed the saddle did not fit. Let him have off for a while and did hock i can start riding this week. I lunged yeterday and he looked good ususally bucks when not,ridden doe a while no buck lunged like a old horse. Get youmhorse checked byma good lamness vet even if takes a week or so to get in.
Edited by daisycake123 2014-05-06 6:02 AM
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Posts: 3514
| After watching video. I'm still saying stifle. It might just be a matter of having it injected. |
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Location: Alabama | Pretty mare! Looks like an abscess trying to rupture IMO. Hope it's nothing more and you get it straightened out quickly. :) |
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Location: MI | Thanks all! I checked out her hoof this morning, but didn't see much. Didn't feel any heat throughout her leg or hoof...I'll check closer tonight though, see if I can put some pressure on her hoof and see if she responds. She isn't gimping like it now, but I can still see unevenness in her hips with movement. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | If I had only seen your video I might think abcess too. But with the fact that you say she works out of it or is sound at times it makes me think it is somewhere else. But I agree with the rest that it needs to be looked at cuz something sure as heck is bothering her. To me it could be any of the joints as it just seems she does not want to flex that leg at all.
Good luck. |
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Location: MI | ajs2002 - 2014-05-06 12:30 PM
If I had only seen your video I might think abcess too. But with the fact that you say she works out of it or is sound at times it makes me think it is somewhere else. But I agree with the rest that it needs to be looked at cuz something sure as heck is bothering her. To me it could be any of the joints as it just seems she does not want to flex that leg at all.
Good luck.
That's exactly what worries me, I feel with an abscess she would be gimping all of the time. Thank goodness, my vet changed some stuff around and is getting us in tomorrow morning. Now just to make sure I don't go into labor between now and then!! |
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Location: MI | Vet visit today - she tested positive low and high on a flexion test. He blocked just above her fetlock, and she trotted off 60% better. He then blocked just below her hock (said that it blocked her suspensory ligament, but not the lower tendons) and she trotted off 90% better. She showed weakness step 2-3 in to trotting, but then looked pretty good. He is 90% sure it's proximal suspensory desmitis. We talked about further diagnosis, such as ultrasound and/or X-rays, and also some treatment. For right now, I will poultice her with a DMSO/Furazone mix for 3 days, 12 on and 12 off, and then he is recommending a 'cold poultice', like Absorbine. Also, quiet as possible.
I decided to wait and talk with my husband before going further with diagnostics. I want to take the best care of her I can, but the reality is that it's bad timing - financially and time wise, so I need to get 'the best bang for my buck' (I know, who doesn't, right?). Does anyone have any recommendations on what diagnostics and treatment would be best to invest in from here?
What I'm thinking is Ultrasound for a more definitive diagnosis and to determine severity, and then either a wrap (BOT or PHT?) or poultice (Runner's relief?) and/or supplement (I've seen Platinum CJ and THE Nutrawound? is there anything cheaper, or are they really worth it). My vet also mentioned shockwave as an option...
Also, has anyone rehabbed one back from a suspensory tear/lesion with 'pasture' rest? She is out with my gelding, a mini, and 2 steer. She's been pretty quiet in the pasture. My vet said 'wherever she will be quietest', which will be out in the pasture, she doesn't tear around or even really play with him - they are just good companions.
Thanks y'all...
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2014-05-07 2:46 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| I would suggest using a Theraplate if you have access to one. Also Ice vibe boots will really help. I would ice with the ice vibes and then treat without the ice. Bot boots are great but only after the heat is gone. Runners relief is what I would use as a sweat. 5 days on 2 days off. Platinum CJ and then add Orthocon. Which is their silicon supplement.
Edited by readytorodeo 2014-05-07 5:00 PM
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Update pg 2...proximal suspensory injury, treatment thoughts?