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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
 
Location: My own little world :) | SO I'm feeling a bit down. I took my favorite mare to the vet today to have a lameness evaluation as I could tell something was off. She wasn't wanting to use her butt and get under herself and she recently started doing some tail wringing when doing barrel work and also would drop her leads in the hind end around the turns. In a nutshell the vet said after looking at the x-rays she has lesions in her hocks and right stifle from her bones not developing properly. He said this can be caused by a number of factors from genetics, nutrition, size, growth rate, etc... He did say that she is a good candidate for surgery and thinks she would recover to 100%. She is five years old and it seems like every year there is a new challenge. In her two and three year old years I got pregnant and had a baby so I didnt get to ride much. Then as a four year old she got hurt in the pasture in June and has been off from work up until recently and now this. Before her I trained a mare all by myself and was so happy with her and then she had a tragic accident and had to be put down. Is this God's way of saying I shouldn't do this anymore?? Also, do any of you have experience with surgery on hocks and stifles? Is it successful most of the time? Thanks :) |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
  
| I have had three horses hocks fused via surgical laser surgery, all returned to work.
One horse his times sped up by 5/10 he went from the bottom of the 1d to the top
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
Location: My own little world :) | I'd also like to add that all I think about all day long is horses, training horses, and barrel racing. I daydream constantly, read books/articles, watch videos, ride with knowledgable people etc... |
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | So sorry your mare has OCD. There has been alot of success with OCD surgery and many here have had success. We did the surgery in the stifle for a gelding we had, and sorry to say it was not successful for us, but he had extensive damage. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
Location: My own little world :) | cheryl makofka - 2015-03-31 9:26 PM
I have had three horses hocks fused via surgical laser surgery, all returned to work.
One horse his times sped up by 5/10 he went from the bottom of the 1d to the top
Yay!!! So there is hope??? I guess how I grew up because most of the horses we had weren't monetarily worth much my dad always basically stuck with if they are lame they are dead. Super positive I know. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
Location: My own little world :) | ThreeCorners - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM
So sorry your mare has OCD. There has been alot of success with OCD surgery and many here have had success. We did the surgery in the stifle for a gelding we had, and sorry to say it was not successful for us, but he had extensive damage.
What was OCD again?? The vet said what it was but I don't remember the words exactly. He said my mare isn't lame yet but stiff. There are no chunks floating around or any major lesions but there are lesions present. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Zanadoo88 - 2015-03-31 9:29 PM
cheryl makofka - 2015-03-31 9:26 PM
I have had three horses hocks fused via surgical laser surgery, all returned to work.
One horse his times sped up by 5/10 he went from the bottom of the 1d to the top
Yay!!! So there is hope??? I guess how I grew up because most of the horses we had weren't monetarily worth much my dad always basically stuck with if they are lame they are dead. Super positive I know.
Times have changed over the years, the way I look at thinks is I may as well sink the money into the vet versus giving up on said horse and sinking that same amount into training another horse and the same thing could happen to them as well.
Hocks generally become arthritic in barrel horses, I fuse instead of injecting as once they are fused I don't ever have to think of them again. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8552
Location: sunny california | my horse had ocd surgery and had a complete recovery.  |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| When owning horses the highs are high and the lows are low. I know exactly how you're feeling right now, been there several times. Wait a couple of days and I'm sure you'll feel more positive.
As far as what kind of money you're willing/able to put into your mare, you'll have to discuss that with your vet and determine if spending the money will be worth it. Do some research, ask around, get a second opinion. I recently had to retire two horses in one day based on my vet's recommendation. They are technically on turnout for a year to see if that helps, but he was not optimistic so I'm not getting my hopes up. Like I said, I know what you're going through right now, and it sure gets you down. The beautiful thing about running barrels is that there will always be another barrel race. Whether you have to sit out to be a mommy, wait on a horse to heal, or wait until you can train/buy another one, when you're ready to haul again there will be somewhere to go. So chin up, things will get better. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | I know how you feel about the bumps in the road. I gave my horse a total of 6 months off in 2014 from 3 different injuries - all from being kicked by other horses in the pasture. Mostly by one horse. He likes to pick on them and then they turn and kick the crap out of him. It's sooooo frustrating. My gelding loves the other horses and is miserable by himself so keeping him up is not an option. We're working on doing some fencing to allow them to be paired up instead of all five turned out together. Until then I'm just praying and hoping that he doesn't get hurt again.  |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Saying a prayer your mare's issue turns out to be easily addressed and fixed. The past two days have been not too good so I understand how you feel. Last night my 36 year old gelding wouldn't eat and then started trying to roll. So we went for a walk and a banamine shot. Then an hour of brushing and loving. When I went back at 12:30 am to check again he was gumming hay (has no teeth!). Boyfriend checked him this am and he was good. Tonight he ate maybe half his feed and then acted "off". Either smelling the ground or shaking his head. I'm not knowing what to do or what's going on. Keep having "the talk" with myself that he's had a great LONG life and I need to accept what's coming. And that it'll be sooner than later. But myself doesn't listen very well. I love this old man and not ready to have him go yet! Sorry to rattle and take over your thread. Best wishes for you and your girl. |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | Zanadoo88 - 2015-03-31 9:27 PM I'd also like to add that all I think about all day long is horses, training horses, and barrel racing. I daydream constantly, read books/articles, watch videos, ride with knowledgable people etc...
I totally understand the feeling!!!!! If it isn't horse issues it is money issues.... I feel like there is always something and wonder sometimes if it is a sign and if I should just fold. But like you I am OBSESSED!! No real advice but a hug cause I understand.... |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | i know the feeling, when you have an answer please fill me in.
just one lameness issue after another on my big gelding. It breaks my heart, we are grasping at straws, and for the 4th time this month going back to the vet for some new issue... Either I can make him pasture sound, or I can't...
:'( |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I feel your pain. My last mare was lame the first time I tried to ride her when I brought her home. Had her 2 years and she never really got better. Bought my sister's gelding from friends, so we knew him. 2 months later mystery front end lameness. Now a year later he's lame in his hind end. My other gelding that I've had for about 7 months got strangles, then a wicked hoof abscess that took 2 months to completely get out. Now he's back sore and being treated for ulcers to hopefully take care of that. I'm not giving up yet. Everyone thinks I should but I have no other passions and horses are what keep me sane...and insane at the same time.
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2015-04-01 8:57 AM
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 I too, shall remain nameless!
Posts: 2248
Location: Wearing a winter coat...... | I agree with everyone about the surgery. It is cheaper than most surgeries for horses and I have had good luck with it. Chin up! It will get better! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
Location: My own little world :) | Jenbabe - 2015-03-31 9:52 PM
When owning horses the highs are high and the lows are low. I know exactly how you're feeling right now, been there several times. Wait a couple of days and I'm sure you'll feel more positive.
As far as what kind of money you're willing/able to put into your mare, you'll have to discuss that with your vet and determine if spending the money will be worth it. Do some research, ask around, get a second opinion. I recently had to retire two horses in one day based on my vet's recommendation. They are technically on turnout for a year to see if that helps, but he was not optimistic so I'm not getting my hopes up. Like I said, I know what you're going through right now, and it sure gets you down. The beautiful thing about running barrels is that there will always be another barrel race. Whether you have to sit out to be a mommy, wait on a horse to heal, or wait until you can train/buy another one, when you're ready to haul again there will be somewhere to go. So chin up, things will get better.
Thank you for this it really helps me feel better :) |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Don't quit. I have a list of horses who I retired from career "changing" injuries. Every time it would happen, I would get discouraged.. But always found the positive and moved on.
The first was a sorrel mare I had who fell at a barrel race- NOT a rodeo- on GOOD ground too. She tore her oblique distal sesamoidean ligament in one of her pasterns. took a year for a vet to diagnose it. Before that point, she was clocking in the 1D and I bought my permit to run her at rodeos, and we were doing well.. couple tenths from placing. after the injury... nope. But I sold her cheap to a girl who wanted a rehab project and she has gotten a lot out of her, and makes her happy.
Then I had a gray gelding I trained myself. Was supposed to just be a 3D horse for my mom when it was all said and done. Nope, he jumped from the 3D to the 1D and we were .5 off at open rodeos.. He somehow ruptured his inferior check ligament. Not a clue how. I even took him to the vet because he had a bump on his leg and the vet missed it and said he looked great. THAT weekend, he ducked off twice. That was the end of it. We did check ligament surgery with Dr. Honnas and followed the rehab time, but he mentally just said he was done. Now he does 7 and under lead line because he's such a laid back gentle horse. Talk about disappointing though.
Then I had a sorrel mare who I also trained myself, got her off the track. She had a TON of promise. Halfway through her first year of hauling she jumped into the 2D then the 1D, did great at ANHA as a 4YO and ran a 17.8 on a standard. No i'm not a futurity trainer so my 4YO didnt hit the gates ready to rock and roll.. but she was going great for me. Her 5 YO year she started out in the 1D but started falling apart. Ended up finding a stifle OCD chip, did the surgery to remove it, rehabbed her like the vet said to do.. but she also needed more time. I ended up selling her to a BB as a broodmare, who then sold her to another BB on here.. and she just foaled a beautiful colt by Tres Seis.
I had another mare who filled my WPRA permit by winning the Waller County PRCA rodeo in 2011.. I sent in my card that Monday. Started 2012 as a rookie.. the next week, she cast herself in her stall and IDK how in the struggle but she strained her suspensory. 6 months off and goodbye rookie year. BUT she did come back sound and I am running her again, and she's running BETTER than ever :).
I have had friends tell me to my face, they don't know how I kept showing up to barrel races with a smile on my face knowing how close i would get to something good and then having something happen.
Now, I have TWO great barrel horses for the first time in my life. It seems like all the climbing and struggling and "why me's??" are finally paying off. |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | casualdust07 - 2015-04-01 9:15 AM Don't quit. I have a list of horses who I retired from career "changing" injuries. Every time it would happen, I would get discouraged.. But always found the positive and moved on. The first was a sorrel mare I had who fell at a barrel race- NOT a rodeo- on GOOD ground too. She tore her oblique distal sesamoidean ligament in one of her pasterns. took a year for a vet to diagnose it. Before that point, she was clocking in the 1D and I bought my permit to run her at rodeos, and we were doing well.. couple tenths from placing. after the injury... nope. But I sold her cheap to a girl who wanted a rehab project and she has gotten a lot out of her, and makes her happy. Then I had a gray gelding I trained myself. Was supposed to just be a 3D horse for my mom when it was all said and done. Nope, he jumped from the 3D to the 1D and we were .5 off at open rodeos.. He somehow ruptured his inferior check ligament. Not a clue how. I even took him to the vet because he had a bump on his leg and the vet missed it and said he looked great. THAT weekend, he ducked off twice. That was the end of it. We did check ligament surgery with Dr. Honnas and followed the rehab time, but he mentally just said he was done. Now he does 7 and under lead line because he's such a laid back gentle horse. Talk about disappointing though. Then I had a sorrel mare who I also trained myself, got her off the track. She had a TON of promise. Halfway through her first year of hauling she jumped into the 2D then the 1D, did great at ANHA as a 4YO and ran a 17.8 on a standard. No i'm not a futurity trainer so my 4YO didnt hit the gates ready to rock and roll.. but she was going great for me. Her 5 YO year she started out in the 1D but started falling apart. Ended up finding a stifle OCD chip, did the surgery to remove it, rehabbed her like the vet said to do.. but she also needed more time. I ended up selling her to a BB as a broodmare, who then sold her to another BB on here.. and she just foaled a beautiful colt by Tres Seis. I had another mare who filled my WPRA permit by winning the Waller County PRCA rodeo in 2011.. I sent in my card that Monday. Started 2012 as a rookie.. the next week, she cast herself in her stall and IDK how in the struggle but she strained her suspensory. 6 months off and goodbye rookie year. BUT she did come back sound and I am running her again, and she's running BETTER than ever :). I have had friends tell me to my face, they don't know how I kept showing up to barrel races with a smile on my face knowing how close i would get to something good and then having something happen. Now, I have TWO great barrel horses for the first time in my life. It seems like all the climbing and struggling and "why me's??" are finally paying off.
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
You are the only one who can answer that question... Let me tell you, from my experience, what I have learned. (I'm assuming you are a believer because you mentioned that maybe God is telling you to quit, so I'm basing my response on that.)
I have had/made some really nice horses over the years. Many winners, but it seems that the one thing that has eluded me is keeping them sound. I would be doing great on one and then "boom" something would happen. You mentioned that you are obsessed with this. Reading about it, watching videos, always have it on your mind... I was the same EXACT way. What God has taught me through those trials is that being obsessed with anything but Him is not a good thing. It took me a long time to figure out that my horses had become my God. My emotions were directly effected by what happened to or with them. If I had to be off a horse for some reason, I would go nuts. It became who I was and not what I did. It took me a very long time to create balance with these horses. Me and everyone around me is much happier these days. You know what else? I haven't had a real soundness issue in a while. (Praise God!).
My advice? If you love it, keep doing it. Just try to remember that it is not who you are it is simply what you do. Don't let it control your emotions and don't let it control your pocketbook either. When the time is right, and you have learned what God needs you to learn, things will turn around.
As far as the surgery goes... If she is a super nice 1d horse, then do it. If she is a prospect and not worth $25K or more right now, sell her and don't invest the time or money into fixing it. Something else will come along that will be better.
Go like my facebook page - Barrel Racing Clinics by Joy Cameron and read some of the posts on there. You'll relate to a lot of them. Good luck!
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | grinandbareit - 2015-04-01 10:27 AM You are the only one who can answer that question... Let me tell you, from my experience, what I have learned. (I'm assuming you are a believer because you mentioned that maybe God is telling you to quit, so I'm basing my response on that.) I have had/made some really nice horses over the years. Many winners, but it seems that the one thing that has eluded me is keeping them sound. I would be doing great on one and then "boom" something would happen. You mentioned that you are obsessed with this. Reading about it, watching videos, always have it on your mind... I was the same EXACT way. What God has taught me through those trials is that being obsessed with anything but Him is not a good thing. It took me a long time to figure out that my horses had become my God. My emotions were directly effected by what happened to or with them. If I had to be off a horse for some reason, I would go nuts. It became who I was and not what I did. It took me a very long time to create balance with these horses. Me and everyone around me is much happier these days. You know what else? I haven't had a real soundness issue in a while. (Praise God!). My advice? If you love it, keep doing it. Just try to remember that it is not who you are it is simply what you do. Don't let it control your emotions and don't let it control your pocketbook either. When the time is right, and you have learned what God needs you to learn, things will turn around. As far as the surgery goes... If she is a super nice 1d horse, then do it. If she is a prospect and not worth $25K or more right now, sell her and don't invest the time or money into fixing it. Something else will come along that will be better. Go like my facebook page - Barrel Racing Clinics by Joy Cameron and read some of the posts on there. You'll relate to a lot of them. Good luck!
Pretty solid advice right here. It's so hard to get off the 'barrel horse merry-go-round'. I believe if you're going to seriously run horses, things will happen. You cannot let it dictate your emotions or life. Remember what REALLY matters in the long run.
(I've lost 2 incredibly talented geldings that had unfixable soundness issues that I loved dearly in the last 2 years, it's heartbreaking...but we pick up the pieces, learn from it, and go on.)
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