|
|
Member
Posts: 41
| About a year and a half ago, my older gelding lost muscle mass and deteriorated quickly (to the point that he spent most of the day lying down and struggled to stand). Vet was stumped, but suggested some supplementation based on slightly low bloodwork. Horse started to recover slowly and came back most of the way. This may or may not be related to the current issue.
Now he needs exercise, so I've started trying to ride him again lightly (walking) and he has a strong pain reaction to the saddle. We can avoid it if I cinch him very slowly and use one particular saddle, but I don't want him to be in pain and want to figure this out.
Thoughts? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
  
| EPM
PSSM (if they are positive/negative my understanding is symptoms may not show up much until later in life).
Kissing spines
Ulcers
That would be my shortlist to start with... |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | How old is your horse? Do you have any pictures? Was he tested for anything? |
|
| |
|
 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Teeth issue causing him not to eat, Ulcers, EPM, HYPP or general Kidney Failure.
Find a NEW vet that specializes in horses. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 41
| Thanks for the responses!
He is 20. He never showed any pain while saddling prior to the illness. I don't have any photos, but he looks fantastic now-- you would never be able to tell that he isn't 100% by looking at him. He is also completely happy as a pasture pet and runs/plays/eats/is perky and pleasant. He isn't as wide or muscled over the topline as in his younger years, but some of that is probably just age and lack of exercise. I noticed that he rope walks in the hind end when going downhill under saddle.
He was tested for Lyme's Disease and had his Vitamin E and Selenium levels checked (which were both slightly low). He has been on Vit E and Se since.
To check off some of the items mentioned: His teeth have been done and are fine, I doubt it is ulcers since he is out on grass 24/7 and has never turned down a meal in his life, he is not Impressive bred so no HYPP, and probably not kidney failure since he is healthy other than the saddling issue now 1.5 years later. So I think that leaves PSSM, EPM, and kissing spine still in the running. Would EPM or PSSM have such a dramatic illness and then turnaround? His reaction to the saddle would make sense if he had kissing spine unrelated to the mystery illness.
Thanks again!! |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Since he has lost muscle - does the saddle fit now? Have you tried different saddle/pad combinations? Is he tender just to brush or palpate his back? Has he been adjusted by a chiropractor lately?
|
|
| |
|
Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| You said you always use a specific saddle. Saddles CAN and DO change over time, sometimes no matter the care. They can warp, twist, or have hairline cracks in the tree that don't really show up unless really pushed on. There could also be loose nails or screws under the fleece that are poking him that you can't see.
Have you ever tried a different saddle or had him fitted? It's possible your saddle has something going on that isn't visible, or since he's changed over time, it simply doesn't fit anymore and is making him sore. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 41
| Sorry, what I meant to say is that there is one saddle/cinch combo that he seems more comfortable with than the others. He looked uncomfortable for a second when a friend mounted him bareback the other day and also when I took a rope and tightened it around his barrel (wrapped over back/withers and around cinch area) to test. He is not tender to brushing or palpating his back, girth area, etc.
I appreciate the help trying to figure this out. I am at a loss and can see the potential for a lot of $$$ down the drain with no real answers (we've already done one round of this), so I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I decide on a path forward. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 41
| I have tried several different saddle/saddle pad/cinch combos and found one that works better than the others. He is not sensitive to brushing or palpating. He has never been adjusted by a chiropractor. Is that something I should be considering here? |
|
| |
|
 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| A good chiro might help. Maybe a rib out? Keep investigating. |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 53
| EPM. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 41
| EPM is definitely on the table as a possibility, but here's my question about that: has anyone ever had a horse spontaneously recover (most of the way) with no treatment? |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
|
| |
Folks on-line