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 The One
Posts: 7997
    
Location: South Georgia | I bought an 8 year old mare last February. A couple weeks after purchase, she was slightly off in her cadence when loping to the right (clockwise), but she was pretty sound. She was due for a shoeing reset, and I knew her hooves needed work as it was clear they were not properly cared for and/or shod. My farrier is excellent and started to correct her underrun and contracted heels. I was working with her on a lot of collection and rounding, so I attributed this behavior possibly to the new muscle development and her hooves.
By June, she was too lame at a lope to continue riding. She was showing signs of discomfort that she hadn't exhibited before. I had a thorough lameness exam done in July and had both hocks injected. I also asked to keep her on Pentosan for maintenance. These made no change in her lameness.
In September, I had another vet look at her and he made a chiropractice adjustment to her hip. She was sound and not lame for 2 months after this. I had my horse back.
Then, in October she got bucky and cinchy and miserable and went off her grain. I had her teeth done and they suspected ulcers. I treated with a round of Abgard (generic Ulcergard) and switched her to stall board with turnout so she could have alfalfa nightly to help. Ulcers went away. I kept her on preventative meds to keep them away and kept her on stall board at night with alfalfa. During the ulcer treatment, she became lame on left and/or right front.
In January, I had our local vet out and he identified sensitivity in right front and went ahead and injected her left hind hock again.
In February I took her to a lameness specialist in Ocala and they did a 5 hour lameness exam with radiographs after blocks of front hooves. They identified navicular changes. He also said something was going on with hind left hock, but I couldn't afford to do more radiographs. We gave OsPhos for the navicular changes, had wedged shoes applied at the clinic, and waited 5 weeks.
Now, still exactly the same lameness as before, and bouncing around on her hips rather than moving independently at a lope. This is after having the last 5 months off!
This horse has been sound 5 of the 13 months I have owned her. I have spent several thousand in vet expenses. She is unregistered. What can I do? I am sure she is fixable, but I cannot continue to pour money into her. How do I go about finding her a home? I really do not want to have to put her down. If I owned my own place, I'd just turn her out and try again in a year or two, but I board and cannot afford to do that. She is absolutely stunning, fancy fancy broke (!), and in perfect shape.
Thoughts?
Edited by horsegirl 2018-05-23 10:16 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | That's a really tough one. I don't have any help for you but I do hope there is a way she can get better! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I can hear your frustration in your post and i probably dont have any good advice for you, other than i hope something changes. Im not sure when the point of giving up comes in, and im sure youve dumped a great amount into her already, but what about maybe giving her to a lesson program or a kids camp (if shes sound enough for light riding) or even a theraputic farm where it would just be walking. I honestly dont know what else i would do in this situation. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Ohiobarrelracer - 2018-03-12 9:18 AM I can hear your frustration in your post and i probably dont have any good advice for you, other than i hope something changes. Im not sure when the point of giving up comes in, and im sure youve dumped a great amount into her already, but what about maybe giving her to a lesson program or a kids camp (if shes sound enough for light riding) or even a theraputic farm where it would just be walking. I honestly dont know what else i would do in this situation.
Thank you. I have contacted the local theraputic riding center and she is unable to take on any more horses. She didn't know of anyone in the area either. I just don't know what to do. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Breed her or sell her as a brood mare if her quality of life is still good, so sorry this is happening, she sounds so nice. I have a gelding that I spent a few thousand on trying to get sound but was not successful. He has had a year off with no improvement, pretty lame at a walk, still enjoys playing with the other horses but I have made the decision to have him put down soon, it is never easy. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | rodeomom3 - 2018-03-12 9:44 AM Breed her or sell her as a brood mare if her quality of life is still good, so sorry this is happening, she sounds so nice. I have a gelding that I spent a few thousand on trying to get sound but was not successful. He has had a year off with no improvement, pretty lame at a walk, still enjoys playing with the other horses but I have made the decision to have him put down soon, it is never easy.
She's unregistered. :( I knew the risk when I purchased her, but she was sound then and trained to the hilt, so I took the chance. Now I have no recourse. I'm afriad to put her on CL or something because I fear she'd get into the wrong hands. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| horsegirl - 2018-03-12 8:45 AM rodeomom3 - 2018-03-12 9:44 AM Breed her or sell her as a brood mare if her quality of life is still good, so sorry this is happening, she sounds so nice. I have a gelding that I spent a few thousand on trying to get sound but was not successful. He has had a year off with no improvement, pretty lame at a walk, still enjoys playing with the other horses but I have made the decision to have him put down soon, it is never easy. She's unregistered. :( I knew the risk when I purchased her, but she was sound then and trained to the hilt, so I took the chance. Now I have no recourse. I'm afriad to put her on CL or something because I fear she'd get into the wrong hands.
Edited by rodeomom3 2018-03-12 9:01 AM
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | You might try EquiBone as one last thing. They have good information on the website on how it's helped navicular horses. It's about $250 for a big bag, but it lasts a long time. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| Sometimes you do everything you can do and it still isint a fix. I have had a couple of these over the years. When they are uncomfortable and quality of life is not a happy one, I have them put down. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | FLITASTIC - 2018-03-12 10:15 AM Sometimes you do everything you can do and it still isint a fix. I have had a couple of these over the years. When they are uncomfortable and quality of life is not a happy one, I have them put down.
I guess my fear with putting her down is that with as nice as she is (conformation and training) and as young as she is, I will wonder if there was just one simple thing that could have been done to fix her and I didn't try it. You know what I mean? Then I'd never know.
I don't know. I'm just sick.
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | So when you bought her in February she was sound, what changes have you made to her food wise, like is she on green pasture now? I have a gelding that was lame on and off for a few years had him to a few Vets trying to figure out whats going on did the xrays and all, he said that he was thin soled.. Then a year later he got worst took him to my other vet did the xrays again and found that he had just a tiny bit of rotation and he sat there and just eyed and study my gelding and asked me about him being a easy keeper, well come to find out he's IR cant be on green pasture and has to be on a low strach low sugar feed. |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| horsegirl - 2018-03-12 7:21 AM
FLITASTIC - 2018-03-12 10:15 AM Sometimes you do everything you can do and it still isint a fix. I have had a couple of these over the years. When they are uncomfortable and quality of life is not a happy one, I have them put down.
I guess my fear with putting her down is that with as nice as she is (conformation and training) and as young as she is, I will wonder if there was just one simple thing that could have been done to fix her and I didn't try it. You know what I mean? Then I'd never know.
I don't know. I'm just sick.
Absolutely. I soooooooo get it. I had to put one down before they had tildren and osphos etc. I totally understand. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | She has been on a low starch extruded feed, she gets coastal grass hay in the pasture and whatever grazing is available in her pasture. She is not what I'd consider to be an easy keeper. Without 2 grain feedings a day, in addition to the pasture and roundable, she will show a couple ribs, so I pay extra for 2 feedings per day. She does have thin soles, but again, this was identified after purchase because her hooves were not well maintained. A month after I got her, we put her in pads with magic kushion to help with that. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Did they check her SI joint when they did the lameness stuff? Just off of what you are saying, the changes that made her sound were in the hind end, and you did stuff to the front end at the vets.
I can completely get not wanting to dump more money in, but maybe they missed something? SI joint, kissing spine, (and you said hocks) are some areas to think about. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Nateracer - 2018-03-12 10:56 AM Did they check her SI joint when they did the lameness stuff? Just off of what you are saying, the changes that made her sound were in the hind end, and you did stuff to the front end at the vets.
I can completely get not wanting to dump more money in, but maybe they missed something? SI joint, kissing spine, (and you said hocks) are some areas to think about. They did check the SI. His team literally spent 3 hours on the physical exam and another 2 on radiographs and evaluating those, etc. They only noted lameness in front feet (radiographs show navicular with multiple characteristics) and slight lameness in left hind. It is a specialty hospital and he is known to be a lameness expert. I travelled quite a distance to go to him to have a definitive diagnosis. I did the OsPhos for the navicular aspect and hoped the rear end lameness was perhaps due to compensation. I just can't spend anymore at this point.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-12 10:10 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | Maybe just slap some plain shoes on her and quite trying to change her feet. Sometimes trying to correct them does more harm than good. Not sure what you did with her feet while she was laid off but it’s worth a try. If she’s broke and you can get her somewhat sound she should be ok for a trail horse. Or just pull them off and turn her out for 6 months to a year on pasture. Could also be ovaries??? Epm??? Sounds like someone pulled one over on ya.... |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | TheDutchMan01 - 2018-03-12 11:22 AM Maybe just slap some plain shoes on her and quite trying to change her feet. Sometimes trying to correct them does more harm than good. Not sure what you did with her feet while she was laid off but it’s worth a try. If she’s broke and you can get her somewhat sound she should be ok for a trail horse. Or just pull them off and turn her out for 6 months to a year on pasture. Could also be ovaries??? Epm??? Sounds like someone pulled one over on ya....
She's in wedged shoes with equipak for the navicular. This did improve slightly her front end lameness. I cannot turn her out because I board and can only afford to have one horse at a time. I'd like one I can ride at this point. |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12704
| JMO - if this was my horse, registered or unregistered - I would find a great barefoot trimmer, pull shoes, let her feet readjust and regrow barefoot (takes about a year, sometimes under, sometimes over), take her off ALL bagged feeds (NO sugar food), and leave her alone for about a year. Dry lot would be best so she wouldn't get much grass, and I'd feed her the alfalfa and a good grass hay to complement. She will be foot sore some from foot readjustment, and that may make her sore in other areas as angles adjust and I'd treat judiciously with bute or banamine (very little, don't want an ulcer issue).
If you can afford that situation that would be giving the mare every possible chance. |
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| Plasvaac has been posting on FB that they are desperate for more horses in their donor herd. she meets the age criteria. it would likely be a better life for her than she would end up with if put on craigslist or anything like that. I think they are in CA so you would have to figure out how to get here there. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 784
Location: USA | I spent 3 years trying to figure out what was wrong with my gelding..... I Finally did a bone scan and we found the problem. I had spent thousands on him.... Can you afford to do a bone scan... one last ditch effort? |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | I cannot. That looks to be another $1500. The vet also offered an MRI, but without her being insured, I can't afford that either. |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| rodeolife - 2018-03-12 8:30 AM
Plasvaac has been posting on FB that they are desperate for more horses in their donor herd. she meets the age criteria. it would likely be a better life for her than she would end up with if put on craigslist or anything like that. I think they are in CA so you would have to figure out how to get here there.
Templeton, CA next to my home town. My brother is their farrier. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Have you spoken to the previous owners about how she was with them and her lameness? I agree with a previous poster that sometimes (not always) when we try to change their feet for the better it actually makes things worse long term.
If she's been sore and hasn't been moving have you tried massage and stretching to see if it loosens her up. You mentioned she got cinchy and so you changed her to indoor board with turnout and after that she got worse. Some horses simply do not do well inside for any length of time can you try having her on 24/7 turnout.
Have you discussed with your vet giving her mild pain/muscle meds for 15 to 30 days to see if it helps to loosen her up at all?
It sounds like the more things you try to change (for the better) the worse it's getting so I'd see if you can go back to keeping it as simple as possible.
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 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | I have had a similar experience with my 12 year old gelding that I raised and trained. He had never gone a full year without some type of mystery lameness. I finally did all I could financially for him as far as shoeing & vet procedures. I put him on Equioxx and started legging him up. He feels reasonably sound on the straights, but lame in tight circles. But this horse LOVES working a barrel. So I do very little circle work with him, and keep him in the best shape I can with lots of long trotting and galloping. Be darned if this horse doesn't feel better the more in shape he gets. If I don't ride him for a day or two, he doesn't feel as good. But rode every day he feels awesome. I made the first run on him this past weekend in a year and he out ran my good horse! But if he shows me the slightest bit that he doesn't want to continue then I will retire him. But I had to give it one final try to see if he will hold up. I feel your pain. And I am sure you will do what you feel is best for both you and the horse. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1611
Location: bring on the heat, NV | Ive only got two suggestions if your hitting the point to let her go. Call some repro clinics and see if they need recipient mares. They dont pay alot only 500-750.00 but she'd get to raise a papered baby for someone else and they're generally well taken care of. Also could she work for a walk/trot horse for youth to show? Try tuning her up for that direction. Or just a walk/trot trail horse with full disclosure of her issues. There are always a few folks looking for slow and steady broke trail horses. |
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Member
Posts: 37
| Sorry to hear what you are going thru. We try to hard and put so much into our horses. Do you have any relatives or friends that has a big open pasture that you could turn her out? Pull shoes and just let her be a horse for a while and hope her body heals itself. That way you could possible get another horse to ride in the mean time. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | lilpeppy - 2018-03-12 12:43 PM Sorry to hear what you are going thru. We try to hard and put so much into our horses. Do you have any relatives or friends that has a big open pasture that you could turn her out? Pull shoes and just let her be a horse for a while and hope her body heals itself. That way you could possible get another horse to ride in the mean time.
I wish I did, but I do not. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | moapajetrider - 2018-03-12 12:38 PM Ive only got two suggestions if your hitting the point to let her go. Call some repro clinics and see if they need recipient mares. They dont pay alot only 500-750.00 but she'd get to raise a papered baby for someone else and they're generally well taken care of. Also could she work for a walk/trot horse for youth to show? Try tuning her up for that direction. Or just a walk/trot trail horse with full disclosure of her issues. There are always a few folks looking for slow and steady broke trail horses.
I'd rather give her to someone that will care for her than try to make a dime off of her at this point. I love this mare. So, I don't mind not getting the money at all. I'll look into the recip mare thing. Thank you. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | RunNitroRun - 2018-03-12 12:00 PM Have you spoken to the previous owners about how she was with them and her lameness? I agree with a previous poster that sometimes (not always) when we try to change their feet for the better it actually makes things worse long term. If she's been sore and hasn't been moving have you tried massage and stretching to see if it loosens her up. You mentioned she got cinchy and so you changed her to indoor board with turnout and after that she got worse. Some horses simply do not do well inside for any length of time can you try having her on 24/7 turnout. Have you discussed with your vet giving her mild pain/muscle meds for 15 to 30 days to see if it helps to loosen her up at all? It sounds like the more things you try to change (for the better) the worse it's getting so I'd see if you can go back to keeping it as simple as possible.
I'm not sure I can trust what I've been told of her past health. I have asked. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-03-12 6:52 AM I bought an 8 year old mare last February. A couple weeks after purchase, she was slightly off in her cadence when loping to the right (clockwise), but she was pretty sound. She was due for a shoeing reset, and I knew her hooves needed work as it was clear they were not properly cared for and/or shod. My farrier is excellent and started to correct her underrun and contracted heels. I was working with her on a lot of collection and rounding, so I attributed this behavior possibly to the new muscle development and her hooves.
By June, she was too lame at a lope to continue riding. She was showing signs of discomfort that she hadn't exhibited before. I had a thorough lameness exam done in July and had both hocks injected. I also asked to keep her on Pentosan for maintenance. These made no change in her lameness.
In September, I had another vet look at her and he made a chiropractice adjustment to her hip. She was sound and not lame for 2 months after this. I had my horse back.
Then, in October she got bucky and cinchy and miserable and went off her grain. I had her teeth done and they suspected ulcers. I treated with a round of Abgard (generic Ulcergard) and switched her to stall board with turnout so she could have alfalfa nightly to help. Ulcers went away. I kept her on preventative meds to keep them away and kept her on stall board at night with alfalfa. During the ulcer treatment, she became lame on left and/or right front.
In January, I had our local vet out and he identified sensitivity in right front and went ahead and injected her left hind hock again.
In February I took her to a lameness specialist in Ocala and they did a 5 hour lameness exam with radiographs after blocks of front hooves. They identified navicular changes. He also said something was going on with hind left hock, but I couldn't afford to do more radiographs. We gave OsPhos for the navicular changes, had wedged shoes applied at the clinic, and waited 5 weeks.
Now, still exactly the same lameness as before, and bouncing around on her hips rather than moving independently at a lope. This is after having the last 5 months off!
This horse has been sound 5 of the 13 months I have owned her. I have spent several thousand in vet expenses. She is unregistered. What can I do? I am sure she is fixable, but I cannot continue to pour money into her. How do I go about finding her a home? I really do not want to have to put her down. She is absolutely stunning, fancy fancy broke (!), and in perfect shape.
Thoughts?
Lonely va barrelxr gave the best advice. The mare was sound when you bought her, then decided her angles were off so did corrected shoeing that made her really sore now lame, do what Loney ve barrelxr said and give her time off and get a second opinion from another vet and have a different shoer give his/her opinion on what to do to help this mare. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | I totally understand. I have had 3 vets assess her, the last being the lameness expert I travelled quite a distance to visit. All agreed that her feet were being handled appropriately and my farrier is very well respected. If I had means to turn her out and just let her be, I would, but I do not. I board. The angles were not changed until 5 weeks ago. Before then pads were just applied to protect thin soles and the shoe was set slightly wide to let the heels spread. The wedged shoes were what would change the angle and that was applied at the specialist once we had radiographs to identify the exact angles.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-13 12:28 PM
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | TBone - 2018-03-12 11:18 AM
I have had a similar experience with my 12 year old gelding that I raised and trained. He had never gone a full year without some type of mystery lameness. I finally did all I could financially for him as far as shoeing & vet procedures. I put him on Equioxx and started legging him up. He feels reasonably sound on the straights, but lame in tight circles. But this horse LOVES working a barrel. So I do very little circle work with him, and keep him in the best shape I can with lots of long trotting and galloping. Be darned if this horse doesn't feel better the more in shape he gets. If I don't ride him for a day or two, he doesn't feel as good. But rode every day he feels awesome. I made the first run on him this past weekend in a year and he out ran my good horse! But if he shows me the slightest bit that he doesn't want to continue then I will retire him. But I had to give it one final try to see if he will hold up. I feel your pain. And I am sure you will do what you feel is best for both you and the horse.
I'm doing the exact same thing with my 16yo gelding...he's my number 1 and has been run 4 times since January of 2016.
This go around is my last effort to get and keep him sound, and he's the same as yours...the more I ride the sounder he gets, but getting past those first few rides can be tough. The day I committed to get him back in shape, he limped for 2 weeks afterward...
But we're a few rides in now and he's been holding up. The CurOst seems to be helping him feel better.
My plan is to ride him for about a month and if he feels pretty good, no gimp or anything, I'll pay all the $$$$ for the injections I know he needs to be able to perform. Then up his workouts and go from there.
I promised hubby this year would be the last ditch effort...if he isn't sound after this summer I'll just retire him as a pasture pet. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Have you tried more chiropractic adjustments? Some horses need regular adjustments. Not saying this will cure anything but you said she was sound for 2 months before showing sore again. |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I feel your pain. I have two horses that are just sitting there due to injuries, etc. I spent a fortune on these two with no effect. I won't sell them as I am afraid they will end up on the kill truck. I either feed them or put them down, and I can't get myself to putting them down.
Just want to throw one more thing at you: Have you looked into EPM? EPM can do all kinds of strange things, including lamness issues. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | fulltiltfilly - 2018-03-12 1:01 PM Have you tried more chiropractic adjustments? Some horses need regular adjustments. Not saying this will cure anything but you said she was sound for 2 months before showing sore again. Yes, those have been sprinkled in as well. No change this time in soundness after adjustments. Massage/body work helps for days (not with the soundness, so much, but at least with the visible muscling from her body trying to compensate) but the body reverts pretty quickly.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-12 12:10 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1161
| ?I have a gelding that i have put alot of money into as well he has lots of problems navicular, hock, hip, and shoulder problems and is alot of maintance even though i do very light riding he is very grumpy (most of the time) but is highly trained and is broke .. This year i have made a point that if he is lame cannot ride him like i want i am going to either put him down or find a home for him (he will not end up in a bad situation!) However i though of a horse psychic just to see if they might have something to say that would help..... it couldnt hurt |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1161
| oh yes and my horse is the same way he would love it if he got a massage daily heck i would too........ |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | horsegirl - 2018-03-12 11:44 AM
Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything.
What are you considering not sound at a walk? Does she just bobble isn’t it full out obviously lame? If she just bobbles some at a trot she could still make a trail horse. We have a mare that I tried to make a barrel horse out of...came up lame eventually and my grandpa took her as a trail horse. After a couple years she doesn’t limp anymore at a trot like she used to. He rides pretty regularly but nothing hard. Only goes camping a few times a year. Hopefully you can find some that could get some use out of her.... |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | TheDutchMan01 - 2018-03-12 1:19 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-12 11:44 AM Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything. What are you considering not sound at a walk? Does she just bobble isn’t it full out obviously lame? If she just bobbles some at a trot she could still make a trail horse. We have a mare that I tried to make a barrel horse out of...came up lame eventually and my grandpa took her as a trail horse. After a couple years she doesn’t limp anymore at a trot like she used to. He rides pretty regularly but nothing hard. Only goes camping a few times a year. Hopefully you can find some that could get some use out of her....
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-12 12:28 PM
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Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | horsegirl - 2018-03-12 12:21 PM TheDutchMan01 - 2018-03-12 1:19 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-12 11:44 AM Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything. What are you considering not sound at a walk? Does she just bobble isn’t it full out obviously lame? If she just bobbles some at a trot she could still make a trail horse. We have a mare that I tried to make a barrel horse out of...came up lame eventually and my grandpa took her as a trail horse. After a couple years she doesn’t limp anymore at a trot like she used to. He rides pretty regularly but nothing hard. Only goes camping a few times a year. Hopefully you can find some that could get some use out of her....
Interesting... my horse acts the same and I'm also unable to figure out what is going on exactly... |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-03-12 12:21 PM TheDutchMan01 - 2018-03-12 1:19 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-12 11:44 AM Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything. What are you considering not sound at a walk? Does she just bobble isn’t it full out obviously lame? If she just bobbles some at a trot she could still make a trail horse. We have a mare that I tried to make a barrel horse out of...came up lame eventually and my grandpa took her as a trail horse. After a couple years she doesn’t limp anymore at a trot like she used to. He rides pretty regularly but nothing hard. Only goes camping a few times a year. Hopefully you can find some that could get some use out of her....
Since shes doing all this I would look into Kissing spine and have her tested for EPM.. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Unfortunately, I really cant afford to do any more for her. I have to draw a line at some point and after several thousand dollars in vet bills in one year, that is my line. My concern is what to do with her now because I really like her and want her in a good home of some sort. I'd like to avoid putting her down if at all possible, but I can't drag this out. I wish I could afford to chase all of these potential diagnosis, but I feel like I have already done so and have not had much of any success. I also wish I could just turn her out and give her time, but I board and I do not have that time nor the money to wait longer and try more things. I'm worrying myself sick and I'm out of money. I am looking for suggestions as to how to place her or what to do with her from those that may have had a similar situation. I can't spend more. I just can't. I wish I could. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| horsegirl - 2018-03-12 1:13 PM
Unfortunately, I really cant afford to do any more for her. I have to draw a line at some point and after several thousand dollars in vet bills in one year, that is my line. My concern is what to do with her now because I really like her and want her in a good home of some sort. I'd like to avoid putting her down if at all possible, but I can't drag this out. I wish I could afford to chase all of these potential diagnosis, but I feel like I have already done so and have not had much of any success. I also wish I could just turn her out and give her time, but I board and I do not have that time nor the money to wait longer and try more things. I'm worrying myself sick and I'm out of money. I am looking for suggestions as to how to place her or what to do with her from those that may have had a similar situation. I can't spend more. I just can't. I wish I could.
I can feel your pain. It would have helped to do radiographs from the beginnings vs injecting to see if that was even the problem (could have saved ya some money). What you're describing could be so many things. My gelding for example, gets real dumpy on his front end when his back is tight (diagnosed ks) but he also has horrible front end confirmation so he has corrective shoes. But easily could have been misdiagnosed for so many things. However, I never made any treatment decisions without radiographs or ultrasound or whatever I was looking at at the time.
The recip mare idea is great. Royal Vista in Purcell, OK has a good program. Good luck. She is a pretty mare. |
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  Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | In September, I had another vet look at her and he made a chiropractice adjustment to her hip. She was sound and not lame for 2 months after this. I had my horse back.
^^^This was the one ray of hope? I had a horse that wouldn't hold chiro adjustments in his pelvis. I pulled his shoes, stood him squared on level concrete and looked at his pelvis from behind. He was unlevel in his hips. After making sure his feet were trimmed the same as the other hind, I put a wedge under his low hip and put shoes back on. He rode off much happier and comfortable. Just sayin.
Also, I haven't read past the first page. Have you tested her for PSSM1 the other P2 variants? If she is positive for one or more, she may be helped by a diet change. Also, just sayin.
She's a VERY nice looking horse. It would be a shame to leave any stones un-turned. I bet she has papers somewhere. She too nice to be a crossbred.
Good luck. They do drive you to drinking sometimes.  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| That bouncy lope thing sounds like SI or pelvic issues. Had a mare with this same issue and vet said she would not ever be sound and all she could do was light walk trot trail riding and breeding. So I sold her at a massive loss. Now she is even worse than before I sold her and wished I had just out her down. New owners won't. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | My mare was like this. Spent thousands and couldnt get her sound. And we boarded and I couldnt justify paying $500 a horse for one i couldnt ride. Thankfully she was papered and bred well. Shes know a broodmare out in the middle of the country. And we have now moved and horses are in our yard. If she ever went back up for sale she would be on her way east in a heartbeat but at the time it was my only option. So i feel you on that! Try recip mare. At least you know she wont be abused or run lame |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| If you know horse people in your area I would ask around see if anyone would be interested in taking her on as a "Project" maybe free to a good home, and they will spend the money on the vet bills. I know in my area there would probably be a few girls that would do that. Just make sure it's someone you know and trust so she doesn't end up in bad hands. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | it breaks my heart to see this.If you would like to test for EPM,I'll pay for it.Our friends gelding acted this way,bucking,not wanting to work and even 100 percent lame.it was EPM. IM WILLING TO HELP YOU. |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| horsegirl - 2018-03-12 12:21 PM
TheDutchMan01 - 2018-03-12 1:19 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-12 11:44 AM Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything. What are you considering not sound at a walk? Does she just bobble isn’t it full out obviously lame? If she just bobbles some at a trot she could still make a trail horse. We have a mare that I tried to make a barrel horse out of...came up lame eventually and my grandpa took her as a trail horse. After a couple years she doesn’t limp anymore at a trot like she used to. He rides pretty regularly but nothing hard. Only goes camping a few times a year. Hopefully you can find some that could get some use out of her....
I know you've done everything and saw some great lameness vets but have they thought sacroiliac issues? Or kissing spine? The bunny hopping and bucking with hind legs together sounds a lot like sacroiliac issues. Its so hard to diagnose. It can be done with a rectal ultrasound or a bone scan... Or just injecting the sacroiliac joint and seeing how they respond. Kissing spine is checked with x rays or a bone scan. Like I said I know you've done everything and it's getting expensive. From the fall of 2016 my good mare and my colt have been injured up until now. They are finally on the road to recovery... It was killing me financially and I was wondering why I was doing it.... Because I am nuts that's why! The only month I was not at the vet in the last year and a half was January of this year! So I can sympathize with you 150%. It's so hard to think about when it's time to draw the line. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| You've gotten a lot of good advice.
I have dealt with a very similar situation since July 2017, front right foot lameness. I fired a vet and farrier in the process of figuring it out. I think the word "navicular" is super taboo and is used incorrectly. Also, every "navicular" horse cannot be treated the same. I FINALLY found a vet that didn't pin hole her as such...and a farrier that knew what the hell he was doing. After 6 months of corrective shoeing and being turned out, she's sound.
I also took her off all processed feeds, Renew Gold and some whole oats plus EQUI-BONE. I will probably never take the mare off of it. Call the company and talk to the people. They are fantastic. I am not saying it's a miracle cure, but I honestly believe it helped. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Y'all, I have been blown away from the outpouring of support, advice, and information received with this posting. It all has made me think hard about this. I'm going to give it another shot and take her down to the lameness expert one more time. Prayers please. I want to save her. I owe her.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-13 12:22 PM
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| horsegirl - 2018-03-13 12:18 PM Y'all, I have been blown away from the outpouring of support, advice, and information received with this posting. It all has made me think hard about this. I'm going to give it another shot and take her down to the lameness expert one more time. Prayers please. I want to save her. I owe her.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 784
Location: USA | horsegirl - 2018-03-13 12:18 PM Y'all, I have been blown away from the outpouring of support, advice, and information received with this posting. It all has made me think hard about this. I'm going to give it another shot and take her down to the lameness expert one more time. Prayers please. I want to save her. I owe her.
If you can do a bone scan.... do it! It's well worth the money. It will show everything that is wrong. No more guessing. |
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| horsegirl - 2018-03-12 10:21 AM TheDutchMan01 - 2018-03-12 1:19 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-12 11:44 AM Thank you all for your suggestions. I tried to ride her yesterday and within 5 steps, I knew it wasn't good. I have always been able to feel it better than I can see it. I made it about 50 feet and then got off and lunged her instead to see her movement. At this time, she is barely walking sound under saddle. Now, on the ground with no rider, you cant really tell anything. What are you considering not sound at a walk? Does she just bobble isn’t it full out obviously lame? If she just bobbles some at a trot she could still make a trail horse. We have a mare that I tried to make a barrel horse out of...came up lame eventually and my grandpa took her as a trail horse. After a couple years she doesn’t limp anymore at a trot like she used to. He rides pretty regularly but nothing hard. Only goes camping a few times a year. Hopefully you can find some that could get some use out of her....
I know your horse is unregistered but positive test results for many variants are showing up in many sought after barrel horse and cowhorse pedigrees and trace back to the earliest generations.
Join the PSSM Forum facebook group and ask questions - most of the members are very eager to help the horses. It could be that a few diet changes are all she needs to be on the road to better health and if that is not the case, you aren't out much financially and it could help you in making a decision down the road when you're ready to purchase your next horse.
Edited by wishingforsun 2018-03-13 2:32 PM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I wish you all the luck with this mare, hope that everything works out for the both of you, sometimes we sink alot of money into something and still dont get anywhere with it. Hugs  |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I'm so so glad you posted this! Prayers for her and you as y'all continue this trying journey. It's wonderful you care enough about her to keep trying. Hope she pays you back tenfold  |
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Location: in the ozone | As 2 others have mentioned before me, consider PSSM. Obscure lamenesses, bucking, cinchy, does she look like she "bunny hops" in the back when cantering? She looks to have muscle wasting (that is PSSM2, it is not a starch & sugar issue, it is a muscle disease). I would also join the PSSM Forum (NOT the one that mentions 5 Panel testing) and pick brains ... there are some great folks to suggest diet changes that might help. |
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Veteran
Posts: 174
Location: Wisconsin | I feel your pain. My daughter's horse has been off since July 2017. (My daughter is a college student in western SD. I am in Wisconsin.) We had her teeth done and had the chiro adjust her--there was some improvement. Then in August the mare bucked my daughter off while doing slow work and was even more off. At first we thought it was a stifle issue as she moved as if she had string halt but only at a lope and on the right. (I went to visit in September and watch the mare move) We had her stifle blistered, changed the angles on her back feet and gave her estrogen--all to no avail. We xrayed and ultra sounded. Saw nothing. We then tested her for EPM and 2 of the indicators from Pathogenes Inc indicated EPM. We treated her. No improvement. Our vet didn't think this issue was caused by EPM as she had no other indicators. I sent in the hair sample for PSSM1. She is negative (yeah!). My daughter's vet started videoing the movement and sent them to Dr. Swanson in Littleton, CO. After several months of videos and collaberation, they finally discovered that she had injured her calcaneal insertions of the superficial digital flexor tendon. The tendon on the inside of the hock had become detached, which causes the tendon to catch on the hock and thus the stringhalt movement. Dr Cammack had seen this once before. Dr Swanson has seen it 3 times. In the past, equine surgeons tried to anchor the tendon back to the hock--without much success. Dr. Cammack did some research and found some case studies where instead of trying to anchor the tendon back to the hock, they loosen it so it no longer catches. They have had a lot of success with racehorses, jumpers and steeplechasers getting back to full performance levels after this procedure. The next step was to find an equine surgeon familiar with this procedure. We found him with Dr. Caleb Lund in Billings, MT. Surgery is scheduled for next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed. She will have to have a year off barrels but we can trail ride her about 2 months after surgery at a walk and trot. I have booked a breeding with French Streakin Jess . She will come back home with me in Wisconsin for her year off. I hope to be able to trail ride her, raise a nice baby and then send her back to my daughter to resume barrel racing.
My thought is, if she doesn't go back to the quality of barrel horse she was before the surgery, at least she will be more comfortable, may be a slower barrel horse, or we can pick up on her roping training, or raise more babies. She is registered--all cow bred--and will be eight this year.
We were lucky. We found a vet that worked with us. Didn't charge us an arm & a leg and sent her videos to other colleagues to try to figure this out. My daughter is in college with limited time to travel to different vets and limited funds. We have paid for boarding also during all of this and I feel your pain. We are lucky in that at least she can come back home to me while recovering.
Good luck in your decision. I had a lot of sleepless nights and tears through this process and we are not done yet by any means, but at least we now know what is injured.
Edited by pepsi 2018-03-14 9:30 AM
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 Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | Totally understand how hard of a decision you are facing. I really hope you're able to find some answers with this vet you're trying now. With everything you've already tried, my mind, like a few others have posted is going to PSSM.
If you feel you're at the end of your resources in helping her & she's as uncomfortable as she sounds I really would put her down. Even if you give her away to someone that seems to be the perfect home their situation could change & she could easily end up in the wrong hands or kill pen. Sometimes even though it hurts terribly, the kindest thing we can do if we can't help them is to let them go.
I'm currently dealing with one that I rasied having a lot of problems. He's always been "odd" about little things & honestly I always thought he was slow mentally. Then late last fall he started tying up on me & I've been fighting that all winter with him. I'm doing some nutritional changes & hoping I can help him. He's a good horse & he deserves a future. But if I can't get him healthy, comfortable & able to live a normal life I will put him down at home. He doesn't deserve what could happen if I sold him or gave him away as a pasture pet. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| pepsi - 2018-03-14 9:24 AM
I feel your pain. My daughter's horse has been off since July 2017. (My daughter is a college student in western SD. I am in Wisconsin.) We had her teeth done and had the chiro adjust her--there was some improvement. Then in August the mare bucked my daughter off while doing slow work and was even more off. At first we thought it was a stifle issue as she moved as if she had string halt but only at a lope and on the right. (I went to visit in September and watch the mare move) We had her stifle blistered, changed the angles on her back feet and gave her estrogen--all to no avail. We xrayed and ultra sounded. Saw nothing. We then tested her for EPM and 2 of the indicators from Pathogenes Inc indicated EPM. We treated her. No improvement. Our vet didn't think this issue was caused by EPM as she had no other indicators. I sent in the hair sample for PSSM1. She is negative (yeah!). My daughter's vet started videoing the movement and sent them to Dr. Swanson in Littleton, CO. After several months of videos and collaberation, they finally discovered that she had injured her calcaneal insertions of the superficial digital flexor tendon. The tendon on the inside of the hock had become detached, which causes the tendon to catch on the hock and thus the stringhalt movement. Dr Cammack had seen this once before. Dr Swanson has seen it 3 times. In the past, equine surgeons tried to anchor the tendon back to the hock--without much success. Dr. Cammack did some research and found some case studies where instead of trying to anchor the tendon back to the hock, they loosen it so it no longer catches. They have had a lot of success with racehorses, jumpers and steeplechasers getting back to full performance levels after this procedure. The next step was to find an equine surgeon familiar with this procedure. We found him with Dr. Caleb Lund in Billings, MT. Surgery is scheduled for next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed. She will have to have a year off barrels but we can trail ride her about 2 months after surgery at a walk and trot. I have booked a breeding with French Streakin Jess . She will come back home with me in Wisconsin for her year off. I hope to be able to trail ride her, raise a nice baby and then send her back to my daughter to resume barrel racing.
My thought is, if she doesn't go back to the quality of barrel horse she was before the surgery, at least she will be more comfortable, may be a slower barrel horse, or we can pick up on her roping training, or raise more babies. She is registered--all cow bred--and will be eight this year.
We were lucky. We found a vet that worked with us. Didn't charge us an arm & a leg and sent her videos to other colleagues to try to figure this out. My daughter is in college with limited time to travel to different vets and limited funds. We have paid for boarding also during all of this and I feel your pain. We are lucky in that at least she can come back home to me while recovering.
Good luck in your decision. I had a lot of sleepless nights and tears through this process and we are not done yet by any means, but at least we now know what is injured.
You are a wonderful mom!!!!  |
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Location: Choctaw, OK | You can test for epm really cheap through pathogenes. But i personally would just treat her. If you're tight on funds you can get a 50 dollar bottle of toltrazuril and mix with dmso. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Any update? .... |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying!
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-19 10:47 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying!
Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help.
Thank you for the prayers, we need all we can get! I may have forgotten to post the specific appointment date. Y'all have encouraged me to try one more time, and we are going to give it one more good shot. I love this darn mare. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM
IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help.
Hope you find some answers, prayers |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM
IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help.
Many prayers sent up for both of y'all. |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-19 11:57 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help. Many prayers sent up for both of y'all.
Edited by lopnaround 2018-03-21 2:05 PM
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | lopnaround - 2018-03-21 2:59 PM Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-19 11:57 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help. Many prayers sent up for both of y'all.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-21 2:32 PM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-03-21 2:29 PM lopnaround - 2018-03-21 2:59 PM Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-19 11:57 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help. Many prayers sent up for both of y'all.
You do the best that you can, I can tell by your thread how much you care for this mare and have gone about as far as you can on the costs, so sending a hug to ya for being such a caring horsey mom.. |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| horsegirl - 2018-03-21 2:29 PM
lopnaround - 2018-03-21 2:59 PM Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-19 11:57 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help. Many prayers sent up for both of y'all.
I understand! Esp for a grade mare! We all have to consider logic/$$ vs. emotions at some point. Prayers for you and please keep us posted! |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Southtxponygirl - 2018-03-21 2:38 PM
horsegirl - 2018-03-21 2:29 PM lopnaround - 2018-03-21 2:59 PM Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-19 11:57 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 11:58 AM IRunOnFaith - 2018-03-19 12:50 PM horsegirl - 2018-03-19 10:37 AM I have made another appointment with the lameness expert 2.5 hours away for March 30th. I will absolutely update when I get the outcome of this visit. A decision will be made to either go forward or stop attempting to go forward after this appointment. Praying! Prayers sent your way. I must have missed the appointment date being set. Here's to hoping they can help. Many prayers sent up for both of y'all.
I second Miss Roxie |
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Location: in the ozone | Hoping you get answers. I missed it - why is she grade? Nice looking horse, I'd think she'd have papers. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | slipperyslope - 2018-03-21 10:03 PM Hoping you get answers. I missed it - why is she grade? Nice looking horse, I'd think she'd have papers. I'd like to know the real reason also. I got the standard runaround in these situations "So and so that I bought her from couldn't get a signature from so and so..."
There is no way she is actually grade. She has papers somewhere. I wish I knew how she was bred. I knew I was taking a risk buying a grade mare but with how well trained she was (counter arcs, spins, flexion, collection, stops, moves completely off leg, was already started on pattern and getting checks), I felt safe at the price I paid. WRONG! And with the seller being a local "trainer," I trusted that she wouldn't sell me a horse with issues, as it could reflect negatively on her in the future. Another mistake on my part.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-22 6:42 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| Do the registries let people send in DNA samples to look for matches? I may be over estimating a registries capabilities here but thought I would put that out there. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: California | I haven't read all the responses but this sounds like a PSSM case to me. Would be worth testing for all varients. It may just be a diet and exercise solution.
Also want to add - from what I have seen they typically start developing noticeable issues areound 7-8 years old. It is also a common reason papers are "lost."
Edited by little_bug 2018-03-22 8:38 AM
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | little_bug - 2018-03-22 9:36 AM I haven't read all the responses but this sounds like a PSSM case to me. Would be worth testing for all varients. It may just be a diet and exercise solution.
Also want to add - from what I have seen they typically start developing noticeable issues areound 7-8 years old. It is also a common reason papers are "lost." I will address it with the vet again, but she has none of the symptoms I have read about (and I have also had a PSSM horse before) other than the lameness/gait irregularity aspect.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-22 8:54 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1302
Location: California | horsegirl - 2018-03-22 5:51 AM little_bug - 2018-03-22 9:36 AM I haven't read all the responses but this sounds like a PSSM case to me. Would be worth testing for all varients. It may just be a diet and exercise solution.
Also want to add - from what I have seen they typically start developing noticeable issues areound 7-8 years old. It is also a common reason papers are "lost." I will address it with the vet again, but she has none of the symptoms I have read about (and I have also had a PSSM horse before) other than the lameness/gait irregularity aspect.
She may not have them all yet - early signs. The horse I had only had the off/on lameness symptoms too. The testing is pretty reasonably priced compared to vet work so just an idea. She is built like the PSSM horses I have been around - if that makes sense haha. (Typically very perfectly built/muscled). |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | We have 7 days until our next recheck lameness appointment. I lunged her today and she seemed okay on her fronts. Her left hind was totally off, however. Poor girl. Praying hard!
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | horsegirl - 2018-03-23 8:26 AM
We have 7 days until our next recheck lameness appointment. I lunged her today and she seemed okay on her fronts. Her left hind was totally off, however. Poor girl. Praying hard!
Such a pretty girl. . . . |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Did you video by any chance?? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-03-23 8:26 AM We have 7 days until our next recheck lameness appointment. I lunged her today and she seemed okay on her fronts. Her left hind was totally off, however. Poor girl. Praying hard!
She sure is a pretty mare  , shes got a pretty little head , but whats the deal with your halter?  |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | The halter: I just didn't hook the snap under the jowl. I just took her out of her stall and tied her for this pic and I was being lazy.
I did not get a video. I should have! I always think about that after the fact. lol
Edited by horsegirl 2018-03-26 6:49 AM
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Thinking of you tonight.thanks for the photo you texted me.She really is so beautiful. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Was the vet appointment today? |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-30 9:21 PM
Was the vet appointment today?
yes |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Final update...
We hauled her to Dr. Aric Adams at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala on Friday. Going into this, my best case scenario was that her fronts had improved drastically with the Osphos and wedged shoes and equipak and the circulation supplements. I was hoping he could easily identify the lameness in her hind end and we'd go forward with treatment and be on our merry way. Unfortunately, it didn't happen like that.
He spent 1.5 hours with her. She was still equally lame (a 2) on both fronts. She was a 3 on her back left hock AND ankle, and a 2 on her right stifle. His unbiased, honest opinion was that there was far too much going on IN EACH LIMB to continue efforts. He suggested I throw in the towel. He said that since she has had 6 months off now and there is no improvement, diagnostics to pinpoint all of these causes would potentially be several thousand more and take up to a year or more. With her being unregistered and the fact that I board, he said it did not make sense. I spoke to him about how many people were suggesting that I just turn her out. He agreed with me that in Florida, that's not so practical, especially since I pay $500/month in board. He said, "with a horse that is as lame as she is, I could probably check her again in 3 years after being turned out, and she'd be just the same as she is now, or worse." I am so thankful for a lameness specialist who took my interests into consideration and gave me his honest opinion rather than trying to continue to make money off of me.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been doing research to find a placement for her. I do not want to put her down. She's 8 years old. She's happy and content and fine as long as she's not ridden or made to run. After calling a bunch of places, I found two vet reproduction facilities that wish to take her and use her as a recip mare. Performance Equine Vets in Aiken, SC is the one I am going with. They have offered to give her a transition program to get her adjusted to pasture life since she's so accustomed to a stall and posh treatment. LOL They have a huge pasture with hay and grain fed daily. She will stay with them until a client selects her for their embryo transfer. Once she is 30 days pregnant, she will go home with the breeder until the foal is weaned. At that point, she will return to the vet center. They have also offered me first right of refusal. I feel this is the best option. I do not trust anyone locally to take care of her the way I see fit. They'd use her and she would be in pain. At least this way, she will be turned out and left alone. The vet center will provide any medical care she needs and know when enough is enough. I feel safer with this.
So, things did not turn out the way I wanted, but I am somewhat relieved to have a bit of closure. This is not about me, this is about my mare, but it has affected me. I worry every single day about her and now, I don't have to. I worry I will not find a horse as nice as she is (when she is sound), especially considering how broke I have made myself trying to treat her. But, I guess it is like the end of a relationship when people worry about being alone. LOL I'll find a new guy or girl to love on and actually ride. It'll all be okay. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-04-01 10:00 AM Final update...
We hauled her to Dr. Aric Adams at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala on Friday. Going into this, my best case scenario was that her fronts had improved drastically with the Osphos and wedged shoes and equipak and the circulation supplements. I was hoping he could easily identify the lameness in her hind end and we'd go forward with treatment and be on our merry way. Unfortunately, it didn't happen like that.
He spent 1.5 hours with her. She was still equally lame (a 2) on both fronts. She was a 3 on her back left hock AND ankle, and a 2 on her right stifle. His unbiased, honest opinion was that there was far too much going on IN EACH LIMB to continue efforts. He suggested I throw in the towel. He said that since she has had 6 months off now and there is no improvement, diagnostics to pinpoint all of these causes would potentially be several thousand more and take up to a year or more. With her being unregistered and the fact that I board, he said it did not make sense. I spoke to him about how many people were suggesting that I just turn her out. He agreed with me that in Florida, that's not so practical, especially since I pay $500/month in board. He said, "with a horse that is as lame as she is, I could probably check her again in 3 years after being turned out, and she'd be just the same as she is now, or worse." I am so thankful for a lameness specialist who took my interests into consideration and gave me his honest opinion rather than trying to continue to make money off of me.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been doing research to find a placement for her. I do not want to put her down. She's 8 years old. She's happy and content and fine as long as she's not ridden or made to run. After calling a bunch of places, I found two vet reproduction facilities that wish to take her and use her as a recip mare. Performance Equine Vets in Aiken, SC is the one I am going with. They have offered to give her a transition program to get her adjusted to pasture life since she's so accustomed to a stall and posh treatment. LOL They have a huge pasture with hay and grain fed daily. She will stay with them until a client selects her for their embryo transfer. Once she is 30 days pregnant, she will go home with the breeder until the foal is weaned. At that point, she will return to the vet center. They have also offered me first right of refusal. I feel this is the best option. I do not trust anyone locally to take care of her the way I see fit. They'd use her and she would be in pain. At least this way, she will be turned out and left alone. The vet center will provide any medical care she needs and know when enough is enough. I feel safer with this.
So, things did not turn out the way I wanted, but I am somewhat relieved to have a bit of closure. This is not about me, this is about my mare, but it has affected me. I worry every single day about her and now, I don't have to. I worry I will not find a horse as nice as she is (when she is sound), especially considering how broke I have made myself trying to treat her. But, I guess it is like the end of a relationship when people worry about being alone. LOL I'll find a new guy or girl to love on and actually ride. It'll all be okay.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2018-04-01 10:30 AM
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| So sorry she can’t be helped, keep tabs on the clinic, I hope that works out. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | You are a great horse momma.:) |
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| I'm so sorry. Good job to you for being such a good horse owner. You did all you could and it sounds like you found a good place for her. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | You my dear are to be commended for giving her every chance possible and doing the right thing for her. Most people would never have gone the extra mile like you have. Please keep us updated occasionally if you keep up with her over the years. Prayers for her to be happy and comfortable---and for you because I know this has been so hard on you |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Y’all, I am blown away by the support I have received here. I was fearful of judgment. Thank you all! |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| Your update totally made me tear up at my desk! So glad you got a well-informed opinion and a new home option that can give you some closure. She will be the prettiest recip in the herd!! |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | What a great outcome from a poopie situation!!! God Bless you for doing more with less than most people would bother to. |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| Relieved you have closure and a good place for your baby. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | A very sad but very happy end to the journey you two have had... Hugs to you! |
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Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | horsegirl - 2018-04-02 9:57 AM
Y’all, I am blown away by the support I have received here. I was fearful of judgment. Thank you all!
99% of people on this board are for the horse...we may not always agree, and often have different opinions, but we all care about the horse. You aren't going to be judged for doing absolutely everything in your power to do right by your mare!
It sounds like you've found a great opportunity for her to have a useful and happy life raising babies with a reputable vet clinic.
Good luck in your future as you go forward. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Saturday pretty much sucked, but Hoochie made it to her new home at Performance Equine Vets in SC after a 5 hour and 15 minute haul. On Thursday, though, we had our last ride. Love this girl so much. Thank you again to all of you for your advice, suggestions, support, and sympathy. I think I did what is best for her.
 
Edited by horsegirl 2018-04-16 7:53 AM
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | horsegirl - 2018-04-16 7:45 AM
Saturday pretty much sucked, but Hoochie made it to her new home at Performance Equine Vets in SC after a 5 hour and 15 minute haul. On Thursday, though, we had our last ride. Love this girl so much. Thank you again to all of you for your advice, suggestions, support, and sympathy. I think I did what is best for her.
It's definitely sad, but when you get a horse that is both fun to ride and you don't have to worry about if it's going to be lame every time you get on, it'll be worth it. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-04-16 7:45 AM Saturday pretty much sucked, but Hoochie made it to her new home at Performance Equine Vets in SC after a 5 hour and 15 minute haul. On Thursday, though, we had our last ride. Love this girl so much. Thank you again to all of you for your advice, suggestions, support, and sympathy. I think I did what is best for her.
Tought day for sure.. You did all you could and then some you made sure she went to the best possible place where shes going to be taking care of and having babys,, So will they update you when they get in foal? Just wondering.. And did they come and get her? I'm just being curious since that was a good ways to go.. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | They will send me updates whenever I email or text her (the breeding manager), I have first right of refusal should they ever not need her anymore, and we had to deliver her! LOL They did make me feel very comfortable though. They said they planned to take new radiographs to monitor her navicular and they would likely keep the corrective shoeing going so as to keep her most comfortable. Also, they said even if she is "dirty" or some other unknown negative, they could keep her as a tease mare or something of the like. They will keep her on site with them until she is 30 days pregnant and then at that point, the clients can take her home until the foal is weaned. Then, she'd come back to the vet, etc.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-04-16 10:01 AM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-04-16 10:00 AM They will send me updates whenever I email or text her (the breeding manager), I have first right of refusal should they ever not need her anymore, and we had to deliver her! LOL They did make me feel very comfortable though. They said they planned to take new radiographs to monitor her navicular and they would likely keep the corrective shoeing going so as to keep her most comfortable. Also, they said even if she is "dirty" or some other unknown negative, they could keep her as a tease mare or something of the like. They will keep her on site with them until she is 30 days pregnant and then at that point, the clients can take her home until the foal is weaned. Then, she'd come back to the vet, etc.
Well at least you got to see where you will be living up till shes bred, I bet it was a really nice place.. |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Southtxponygirl - 2018-04-16 11:11 AM horsegirl - 2018-04-16 10:00 AM They will send me updates whenever I email or text her (the breeding manager), I have first right of refusal should they ever not need her anymore, and we had to deliver her! LOL They did make me feel very comfortable though. They said they planned to take new radiographs to monitor her navicular and they would likely keep the corrective shoeing going so as to keep her most comfortable. Also, they said even if she is "dirty" or some other unknown negative, they could keep her as a tease mare or something of the like. They will keep her on site with them until she is 30 days pregnant and then at that point, the clients can take her home until the foal is weaned. Then, she'd come back to the vet, etc. Well at least you got to see where you will be living up till shes bred, I bet it was a really nice place..
Oh, its gorgeous! Huge stone entrance, several barns, many paddocks and then large pastures. I felt much better seeing the place in person. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-04-16 10:12 AM Southtxponygirl - 2018-04-16 11:11 AM horsegirl - 2018-04-16 10:00 AM They will send me updates whenever I email or text her (the breeding manager), I have first right of refusal should they ever not need her anymore, and we had to deliver her! LOL They did make me feel very comfortable though. They said they planned to take new radiographs to monitor her navicular and they would likely keep the corrective shoeing going so as to keep her most comfortable. Also, they said even if she is "dirty" or some other unknown negative, they could keep her as a tease mare or something of the like. They will keep her on site with them until she is 30 days pregnant and then at that point, the clients can take her home until the foal is weaned. Then, she'd come back to the vet, etc. Well at least you got to see where you will be living up till shes bred, I bet it was a really nice place..
I bet that lifted up your spirits seeing how nice of a place she is going to be staying at, I know it still hurts but at least seeing the place made you feel better about what your doing for her. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 239
| You sure did right by her, there are many that would not have spent the time and money on diagnostics and treatment, and finding an option for her other than euthanasia |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | horsegirl - 2018-04-16 10:12 AM
Southtxponygirl - 2018-04-16 11:11 AM horsegirl - 2018-04-16 10:00 AM They will send me updates whenever I email or text her (the breeding manager), I have first right of refusal should they ever not need her anymore, and we had to deliver her! LOL They did make me feel very comfortable though. They said they planned to take new radiographs to monitor her navicular and they would likely keep the corrective shoeing going so as to keep her most comfortable. Also, they said even if she is "dirty" or some other unknown negative, they could keep her as a tease mare or something of the like. They will keep her on site with them until she is 30 days pregnant and then at that point, the clients can take her home until the foal is weaned. Then, she'd come back to the vet, etc. Well at least you got to see where you will be living up till shes bred, I bet it was a really nice place..
You've been a good momma to her. You did right by her, which alot of people would not have done. God bless you, and I hope you come back with updates on your gorgeous girl. Cause she will always be "your girl". . . . |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | You are the type of horse owner that I try to emulate!!! |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | run n rate - 2018-04-17 4:49 PM You are the type of horse owner that I try to emulate!!!
Wow, that is a huge compliment. Thank you. Part of me will always feel like I didn't do enough, but, I'm hoping that feeling will lessen as time passes. |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| Wish they had a place like that for my gelding. |
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Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | azsun - 2018-04-18 9:02 AM Wish they had a place like that for my gelding.
Yea, me too!!! |
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | I just received an email from the vet center I dontated her to!
"I was just about to send you a message! She was just checked in foal today!. What a sweetheart! She is doing really well here, she comes right up to us when we go out to the pasture. We really like her! Thank you for donating her to our program. I wish I had 10 more like her!"
So happy she is being appreciated!
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-05-23 10:06 AM I just received an email from the vet center I dontated her to!
"I was just about to send you a message! She was just checked in foal today!. What a sweetheart! She is doing really well here, she comes right up to us when we go out to the pasture. We really like her! Thank you for donating her to our program. I wish I had 10 more like her!"
So happy she is being appreciated!
Now I bet that makes you feel really good/even better about where shes at, no horse owner could ask for a better place then where shes at now, you and this mare were really lucky to have found this place. This a really really lucky mare
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2018-05-23 10:25 AM
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The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | Oh, I'm thrilled and so relieved that she is appreciated. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | What a wonderful ending!  |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | Great news!!! A bonus for making sure to help her find a good place!!! |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I love this update |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Chandler's Mom - 2018-05-23 10:19 PM
I love this update
me tooooooo!!!!!!! |
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What do you do when you cant do any more? (Lameness) New update! 5/23