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 Saint Stacey
   
| A few weeks ago I posted on a gelding that stopped running and was extremely sore over his SI. We xrayed his neck and discovered he had two hammer fractures form having his head tied around and then he more than likely flipped, fracturing the wings of the C5 vertebrae.
We injected the problem vertebrae along with the one in front of it and the one behind. Both sides of the neck were done via ultrasound for a total of 6 injections. We took him back to the vet two weeks later for a follow up. The vet was thrilled with how much better he was.
We ran him for the first time yesterday. He went to the fence on first because he was expecting it to hurt. When he pivoted around, it was like a light bulb went on and he realized it didn't hurt. He ran harder across the pen then he ever has and had a beautiful 2nd and 3rd. He did catch 3rd leaving it, but that happens. Bottom line is that the injections really worked. We'll see what he does Wednesday night when we run him again. But at this point I'm very hopeful that we have him fixed. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| Oh dear, poor guy!
Good thing you got it looked into and the injections are working!
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | SKM - 2016-07-18 7:26 AM A few weeks ago I posted on a gelding that stopped running and was extremely sore over his SI. We xrayed his neck and discovered he had two hammer fractures form having his head tied around and then he more than likely flipped, fracturing the wings of the C5 vertebrae. We injected the problem vertebrae along with the one in front of it and the one behind. Both sides of the neck were done via ultrasound for a total of 6 injections. We took him back to the vet two weeks later for a follow up. The vet was thrilled with how much better he was. We ran him for the first time yesterday. He went to the fence on first because he was expecting it to hurt. When he pivoted around, it was like a light bulb went on and he realized it didn't hurt. He ran harder across the pen then he ever has and had a beautiful 2nd and 3rd. He did catch 3rd leaving it, but that happens. Bottom line is that the injections really worked. We'll see what he does Wednesday night when we run him again. But at this point I'm very hopeful that we have him fixed.
You wonder how many horses have this problem because of "trainers" doing that, just plain mis-informed people doing it. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Thanks for the update, you never know when these things will come up in your own horse life.
I am really happy your update was so positive. |
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Saint Stacey
| The sad/scary part is that most people would have overlooked what he was doing and simply given him a tune session. He was blowing slightly off of first. Like taking just one step off. He'd also get by it a stride before he tried to turn. He also stopped firing and snapping the turn. It wasn't anything bad. It was just a little off for this horse. He was slightly sore over his loin, but again...most people would have ignored it.
The vet said she was surprised he hasn't tried to kill someone with as bad as it was. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? |
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Saint Stacey
| GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM
If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck?
When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury.
He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers.
As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| SKM - 2016-07-18 9:46 AM
GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM
If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck?
When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury.
He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers.
As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
Thank you for explaining the reasoning. I would have never thought to look at the neck with the SI problems you had. I appreciate the shared knowledge. We always assume our vets know everything, but with so much that can go wrong with horses, I am not sure it is really fair. I have seldom found a vet that would not listen to a suggestion if you give them a good reason to look elsewhere. You just supplied me with that should I need it.
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  Roan Wonder
Location: SW MO | That's wonderful; !!!!!
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Saint Stacey
| GLP - 2016-07-18 9:06 AM
SKM - 2016-07-18 9:46 AM
GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM
If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck?
When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury.
He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers.
As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
Thank you for explaining the reasoning. I would have never thought to look at the neck with the SI problems you had. I appreciate the shared knowledge. We always assume our vets know everything, but with so much that can go wrong with horses, I am not sure it is really fair. I have seldom found a vet that would not listen to a suggestion if you give them a good reason to look elsewhere. You just supplied me with that should I need it.
I think neck injuries are much more common than people realize. A horse runs into a fence, sort of bounces off, gets up and we assume they are fine because they walk off without looking bad. Or a trainer ties one around, they get in a fight, end up flipping and the trainer gets them up. The horse, again, appears to be okay so the trainer goes on. Years down the road you have a horse with neuro signs and you have no idea why. I think many people are blaming EPM now when it isn't EPM at all.
It took about 7 years for Sidekick to show neuro signs from when he had his wreck that I know caused all the problems. Not once did that vet that saw him think to X-ray the neck. When Sidekick started to show neuro signs, that same vet told me the horse was fine and I was imaging it. He too would be sore in his SI.
I'm sharing my experiences because it sucks to go through this. If my sharing saves one person the heartbreak I went through and saves the horse from developing wobblers, then it's worth the suffering Sidekick and I went through.
Believe me, if I knew then what I know now...my story would have had a MUCH different ending. |
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 Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
Very very interesting. Glad to hear the injection helped!
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off. |
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Saint Stacey
| TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:33 AM
SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off.
She sort of hooked the hock on her knee and pulled it behind him then trotted him off. The other one she sort of picked it up, held it at the gaskin and right before the move off she lifted it higher as the handler went off. Both tests had that SI in extension. He also pretty much refused to go to the right in a small circle. His injury is on the left side to turning his head right really hurt. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | These are the kinds of posts I come to BHW to read, to expand my knowledge. I would have never known to ask a vet to x-ray their neck from a sore SI. Thanks so much for sharing. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Interesting post! Thank you for sharing! |
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Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | SKM - 2016-07-18 11:39 AM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:33 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off. She sort of hooked the hock on her knee and pulled it behind him then trotted him off. The other one she sort of picked it up, held it at the gaskin and right before the move off she lifted it higher as the handler went off. Both tests had that SI in extension. He also pretty much refused to go to the right in a small circle. His injury is on the left side to turning his head right really hurt.
Even more interesting. I've never had a vet flex the SI before.
Thanks SKM! |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | thats good to know about the correlation between SI and neck pain! Haven't learned that yet. Maybe I'll get quizzed on it and look smart when I get on lameness in clinics. haha |
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Saint Stacey
| TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:56 AM
SKM - 2016-07-18 11:39 AM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:33 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off. She sort of hooked the hock on her knee and pulled it behind him then trotted him off. The other one she sort of picked it up, held it at the gaskin and right before the move off she lifted it higher as the handler went off. Both tests had that SI in extension. He also pretty much refused to go to the right in a small circle. His injury is on the left side to turning his head right really hurt.
Thanks SKM!
I hadn't either. She did some reverse flexion tests on Vegas I had never seen used before either. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Thank you for the new knowledge SKM. <3 |
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Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | SKM - 2016-07-18 12:09 PM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:56 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 11:39 AM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:33 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off. She sort of hooked the hock on her knee and pulled it behind him then trotted him off. The other one she sort of picked it up, held it at the gaskin and right before the move off she lifted it higher as the handler went off. Both tests had that SI in extension. He also pretty much refused to go to the right in a small circle. His injury is on the left side to turning his head right really hurt.
Thanks SKM! I hadn't either. She did some reverse flexion tests on Vegas I had never seen used before either.
Would this vet happen to have a burning desire to come on a working vacation to sunny north Florida?  |
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Saint Stacey
| TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 11:33 AM
SKM - 2016-07-18 12:09 PM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:56 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 11:39 AM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:33 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off. She sort of hooked the hock on her knee and pulled it behind him then trotted him off. The other one she sort of picked it up, held it at the gaskin and right before the move off she lifted it higher as the handler went off. Both tests had that SI in extension. He also pretty much refused to go to the right in a small circle. His injury is on the left side to turning his head right really hurt.
Thanks SKM! I hadn't either. She did some reverse flexion tests on Vegas I had never seen used before either.
Lol! She is married with a son who much be 3 or 4 so maybe. |
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Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | SKM - 2016-07-18 1:36 PM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 11:33 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 12:09 PM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:56 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 11:39 AM TrackinBubba - 2016-07-18 9:33 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 10:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays.
How did they flex the SI? I have a colt with a sore loin and the nagging sensation that something is off. She sort of hooked the hock on her knee and pulled it behind him then trotted him off. The other one she sort of picked it up, held it at the gaskin and right before the move off she lifted it higher as the handler went off. Both tests had that SI in extension. He also pretty much refused to go to the right in a small circle. His injury is on the left side to turning his head right really hurt.
Thanks SKM! I hadn't either. She did some reverse flexion tests on Vegas I had never seen used before either. Lol! She is married with a son who much be 3 or 4 so maybe.
Score! I'll help finance the baby's trip to Disney World.
Shoot, if she can tell me what's wrong with this horse I'll drive her there myself, give them a tour, and make it so they can skip all the lines. |
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Member
Posts: 30
| If you don't mind me asking who the vet is and where is she located? You can pm if you would like.
Thank you!!!!! |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | So do all horses that fracture thier neck eventually need injections?
Just wondering because we have had one filly that we knew had fractured her neck and a really nice gelding that we got right before he was to be ruled off the track for fighting the gates. Never had a vet suggest injecting the neck even on the one we knew had a healed fracture. I am sure this happens to a lot of racehorses, between setting back on the walker and fighting the gates with a flipping rig on. |
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 Thick and Wavy
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Location: Nebraska | can a normal vet do xrays or does it need a stronger machine? |
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Saint Stacey
| Barnmom - 2016-07-18 3:35 PM
So do all horses that fracture thier neck eventually need injections?
Just wondering because we have had one filly that we knew had fractured her neck and a really nice gelding that we got right before he was to be ruled off the track for fighting the gates. Never had a vet suggest injecting the neck even on the one we knew had a healed fracture. I am sure this happens to a lot of racehorses, between setting back on the walker and fighting the gates with a flipping rig on.
The vet told me that she does a lot of track horses with these injuries. The trainer and owner just do them like clockwork once a year. If you have one that you know has the injury, I would recommend at least annual X-rays to see if you have arthritis developing and to keep a record of the changes. I have no idea what the average time frame in for wobblers. Sidekick took 7 years to show neuro symptoms and about 2 more years before he died.
She said that the arthritis is what causes the problems. |
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Saint Stacey
| brlracerchick - 2016-07-18 3:44 PM
can a normal vet do xrays or does it need a stronger machine?
My vet has a portable digital. She could see the fractures, but couldn't really tell the side they were on with the X-ray. The ultrasound to do the injection showed them as being on the left. Ultrasounds are pretty pricey when you don't really know where to start. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| Personally i think your lucks as h as i have a spinal cord injury if the neck is fractured your lucky he is alive
breaking or cracking a vertbere is not that simple a fiix injection if it was humans dr would be all over
me with a cracked c5 c7 c7 paralized |
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Saint Stacey
| vjls - 2016-07-18 6:26 PM
Personally i think your lucks as h as i have a spinal cord injury if the neck is fractured your lucky he is alive
breaking or cracking a vertbere is not that simple a fiix injection if it was humans dr would be all over
me with a cracked c5 c7 c7 paralized
It's what she referred to as a Hammer Fracture. A chip might be a better way to describe it. He chipped the wings of the vertebrae. His head was tied to the right. He fell on the left side with the neck bent towards the right. |
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Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | SKM, was your mare sore in her neck also, or just the SI? Just wondering if this is something a chiro would miss? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 927
Location: Iowa | My horse also has something like this. He started developing a lump on the top of his scapula. Had him xrayed this winter and found out what it was. He stated it was an old injury, might have happened 10 years prior. He didn't have any ideas what to do for him that would be long lasting. He said if he drained it, it would come right back. |
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 Go Canada!
Posts: 2954
| SKM - 2016-07-18 10:22 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 9:06 AM SKM - 2016-07-18 9:46 AM GLP - 2016-07-18 8:33 AM If you don't mind my asking, what made ya'll think to look at his neck? When the vet did a lameness exam, he tested very positive for soreness in the SI to the two flexion tests for SI that she did. She said he was about the 4th sorest SI she'd ever seen. She said if they are really sore in the SI, you ALWAYS need to X-ray the neck as a chronically sore SI could be due to a neck injury. He did not go off on any neurological tests so she was very optimistic that we caught it in time and could manage it. It's when you have no idea there's anything wrong so arthritis develops that you have neuro issues as the arthritis starts to grind and pinch on the spinal chord. That's when you end up with wobblers. As eye opening as this has been with what I went through with Sidekick and now Fame, if I ever have a horse get in a wreck or buy from someone, you can bet I will spend the money to get neck X-rays. Thank you for explaining the reasoning. I would have never thought to look at the neck with the SI problems you had. I appreciate the shared knowledge. We always assume our vets know everything, but with so much that can go wrong with horses, I am not sure it is really fair. I have seldom found a vet that would not listen to a suggestion if you give them a good reason to look elsewhere. You just supplied me with that should I need it. I think neck injuries are much more common than people realize. A horse runs into a fence, sort of bounces off, gets up and we assume they are fine because they walk off without looking bad. Or a trainer ties one around, they get in a fight, end up flipping and the trainer gets them up. The horse, again, appears to be okay so the trainer goes on. Years down the road you have a horse with neuro signs and you have no idea why.
I agree
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Saint Stacey
| Barnmom - 2016-07-21 7:54 AM
SKM, was your mare sore in her neck also, or just the SI? Just wondering if this is something a chiro would miss?
I have a chiro come out every 6 weeks. Nothing ever really seemed off in his neck like his SI. His SI has always been a problem. But my chiro is more about passive aggressive stretching than actual cracking. He basically puts the horse in a position where the horse fixes itself. I shudder to think of someone truly cracking this horse. |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| SKM - 2016-07-18 8:34 PM vjls - 2016-07-18 6:26 PM Personally i think your lucks as h as i have a spinal cord injury if the neck is fractured your lucky he is alive
breaking or cracking a vertbere is not that simple a fiix injection if it was humans dr would be all over
me with a cracked c5 c7 c7 paralized It's what she referred to as a Hammer Fracture. A chip might be a better way to describe it. He chipped the wings of the vertebrae. His head was tied to the right. He fell on the left side with the neck bent towards the right.
i cracked my vertbre and i am paralized just lucky the horse is |
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UPDATE- horse with fractured neck