Ellianna - 2020-06-12 8:42 PM
I have a mare who has been having some issues lately. We have a vet appointment booked, but I would like an idea of where to start before the appointment! Here are some of her symtoms:
1) Shortness of stride or rufusing to extend stride, doesn't extend with her frontend
2) Unwilling to work or bad attitude, always marish
3) Very choppy, uncorforable gaits, (mainly lope)
4) Dolphin/humpy stride
5) Doesnt use hindend/swings her hips
6) Rushes or switches her hindend leads
7) Throws her head
8) Lazy/dull, sometimes will refuse to move forward
9) Sore back
She does have arthritis. Gets better with time off or ridden 1x a week. Any idea's what would be causing this? i'm thinking hock injections, arthritis in knees, sore SI, maybe needs chiro, or maybe stifle pain? I want to make sure we have all our bases covered or if someone has had this before! she is on pain meds and getting handwalked and turned out daily until our vet appointment. She is seeing the best vet in our state. Lameness check, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.... I could careless if she ever competed again I just want her to be happy, healthy, and pain-free. she hasnt always been this way so why i know 100% this isnt attitude. I love this mare with my whole heart and i want her to be healthy and pain free
It sounds like this horse has many, many issues going on, and not just one thing.
You said she's already on pain meds. What is she taking? How long has she been on pain meds?
You said she has arthritis. In general, arthritis benefits from regular light exercise -- not time off.