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 Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
  
Location: Woodstown, NJ | We got a new mare for my daughter about a month ago. She's 9. She's off the track. I've never gotten a track horse before. She came from a friend of a friend who was selling her for her friend because he couldn't show her properly because he doesn't ride. Therefore, the information I got on her was second-hand. She was raced and later the original owner entered her in some "backyard races," whatever that is, with some local jockeys. Then he got out of the business, sold off his horses, and that's how she came to me.
She's been absolutely wonderful but now I'm afraid there might be a soundness issue. Since she hadn't been ridden for a long time, and because we wanted to make sure we keep her head right, my daughter has been taking it nice and slow with her. She rides her about five times a week but at first it was just walking, then lots of jogging, jogging, jogging, jogging, conditioning her, then a little bit of loping. She also works her in the round pen, etc. She is now stepping it up and since she's been loping more often, the mare seems to be hopping on the back end. I think mostly in circles but I can't be sure. (I haven't been out there as much as usual because my husband just had surgery.) Today when I was watching her in the round pen, I noticed her doing it every time she loped on the one end that goes downhill slightly. Both hind legs kind of move together in a hopping motion and I also think I saw her swish her tail.
Obviously I'm going to have to call the vet but where do we start? I am tired of calling the vet and X-raying them all over the place and it's still inconclusive. Someone told me that it could have something to do with her girl parts. Is that possible? Thanks for any ideas! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1343
 
Location: Oklahoma | Debi, I would start with hock x-Rays. Usually, hopping in the turns is a sign of sore hocks and maybe needing injection. Since she is hopping in the round pen at a lope, I would really be suspicious it's hocks. |
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Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Thanks Shauna. I will look into that! |
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 Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | My mare hopped or "pogo sticking" as my vet calls it. I had her stifles split, they were catching, both sides. it took about 70 days of trotting trotting and more trotting to get her in shape enough she quit hopping. A good vet will be able to detect the catch. Mine always has them walk down hill and thats when you see it. I am not good enough to see it though. |
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Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Interesting on the downhill thing Livin. I will look into that too. Thank you. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| one hip lower than the other could be EPM. also, my mare moves in a hopping motion when it is time to get her hocks injected. Hope it is hocks |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | If it looks like bunny hopping--hocks. I had hocks and also SI injected on mine. All better now. Mine has arthritic hocks so I've seen this a couple of times when he gets sore. |
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Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Does look like bunny hopping.
I will take a look at those hips but I think they're level--I often gaze at her butt, lol. |
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Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Guys, if it turns out to be her hocks and she needs to be injected, what can you tell me about that? I've never had to have it done before. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | SmokinBandits - 2015-06-01 7:41 AM Guys, if it turns out to be her hocks and she needs to be injected, what can you tell me about that? I've never had to have it done before.
It's pretty routine. Just find a good vet that does it. You will need to leave her in a stall for 24-48 hours after its done. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Pretty common. Find a good vet. Most horses do well. I usually stall them for first 48 hours after (with daily walks). Then turn out for 2 days, and light exercise to finish off the week.
I usually have the chiropractor out as well. Since mine is 16 now and has arthritic hocks, I plan on getting him on an injectable joint regimen (Adaquan or Pentosan). |
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  Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | shaunar - 2015-05-31 9:04 PM Debi, I would start with hock x-Rays. Usually, hopping in the turns is a sign of sore hocks and maybe needing injection. Since she is hopping in the round pen at a lope, I would really be suspicious it's hocks.
totally agree with this.... sore hocks |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | I would suspect hocks as well.
I have been to multiple vets and they all say something different about turn out time. Some will say keep them locked up others will say turn them out. Last time I had my mare done my told me I could turn her out. I did but kept her by herself so they other horses couldn't get to her. She came back like a house on fire... |
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Having Smokin Bandits
Posts: 4572
Location: Woodstown, NJ | Thanks guys. I think the hocks are probably a good possibility. I scrutinized her from behind today and she's completely even. It started thunderstorming so my daughter got interrupted riding today, but loping straight, I didn't see any hoppiness. Curious to see what she does when we do some circles tomorrow. At any rate, we will get the vet out. I feel better knowing I have a direction. Thanks! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 462
Location: Louisiana | My mare did the same. It was awful. Bunny hopping and not striding out. Get her back xrayed. My mare was treated for EPM for 8 months and did not have that. Went to a different vet and he spotted it in 2 minutes. Kissing Spine. |
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