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Regular
Posts: 79
| Throwing this problem out there to see if anyone has any clues that might be helpful...this forum is a wealth of information and I'm hoping to find some answers ... my mare is 25 and has never been lame a day in her life until recently. The problem is when standing and you ask for either of her front feet she cannot balance her weight and wants to rock back. The right front is more difficult for her to pick up but both are hard for her to do...one of the only ways she gets relief is putting her head way down and she will generally do this just standing in her stall by herself. At the walk, trot and canter (in hand, not under saddle), she does good. I have had her worked on by a chiropractor and I do some body work myself. I know it offers temporary relief but it is not getting to the root of the problem. When I do some body work with her or just being with her in general, she will reach forward and paw the ground with her right leg .. as though she is trying to show me where the problem is. Would anyone have any idea what might be the issue. My farrier and chiro are stumped as she does not fall into any categories they have ever seen.
Thanks |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I would test for EPM since resisting picking up the front feet was one of the biggest problems my gelding had when he was tested for it. Good luck! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | I would think either EPM or possibly got kicked in the neck. |
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Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | Or I should say some type of spinal cord injury not necessarily kicked in the neck but definitely a possibility |
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Common Sense and then some
 
Location: So. California | It could be a lot of things... what did her blood work show? What did the vet say?
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Regular
Posts: 79
| At the time of her initial exam (March), all her blood work was perfect but we weren't looking for EPM. The lameness exam performed showed stiffness in right hock and right knee. Did the Adequan round but she was never still quite 100% sound...better but not 100%. Over the past months, I have spoken with the vet who said she could do the nerve blocks/inject but her thought it was just arthritis. I'm of the belief this is now more than that...Holly is not a good trailer loader and backing out will be difficult given her present circumstances which is one of the reasons I've avoided taking her for xrays. But it appears I'll have to bite the bullet and do it. The other thing mentioned to me was Lyme disease...anyone have experience with that? |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| Sounds like bilateral founder. EPM generally only affects the rear end.
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| Does she rock back and put her head down? Other wise could be shoulder or withers. |
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Regular
Posts: 79
| Thank you all for your input and questions. When asked for the front hoof ... when she feels she can lift it, she will rock back to try and balance and yes, the head stretches all the way down and she also brings her head almost between her front legs. If she doesn't give up her hoof, she is lowering her head and neck down. If I can hold her hoof for any length of time, she will hop to try and regain her balance or start to cave under. Obviously, I don't let her get to this point regularly.
Back legs are not a problem whatsoever. She'll give you the hoof and stand as long as needed. I have called the vet today to test for Lyme and generally talk about where to go....X-ray, ultrasound.
I am going to google bilateral founder. She's never foundered but we did have some boarder line issues this Winter/Spring. Again, thanks and keep the questions coming. I'll keep you posted as we continue to seek the root of the problem. |
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