|
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| This week, I had a vet do a lameness exam on my horse who has been hurting pretty bad for a few weeks. This horse is tough as nails and never gives me crap when she is in pain unless she really hurts. After having the vet look at her and do flexions on both hind legs, she determined the horse hurts really bad and suggested that she would never be riding sound again.
My question is, would you just write it off or would you want more information before you turn her out to pasture for the rest of her life? This horse is 6 and I just adore her, so I won't do anything that will make her suffer, but on the other hand, I feel like I should have more information before making such a long term decision. I feel like this is a bit of a rash determination based on flexions, but I know I'm not a professional lol. Is this usual protocol? Looking for some answers from someone who has experience with this.
At the very least (at the vet's recommendation) I am going to give her the year off and breed her. In talking to the vet, she said this is what she would do. The baby will be mine (I won't sell it - period lol) and I wouldn't breed anything I think would have conformation issues in the future. In other words - don't comment if you don't have anything nice to say lol. This has already been a huge bummer on my end.
 (20180411_072551.jpg)
 (20180410_180450_1.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 20180411_072551.jpg (24KB - 320 downloads)
20180410_180450_1.jpg (70KB - 238 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
 
| What is the reason the horse is hurting really bad and deemed not sound to ride ? |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| All the vet said is that she is in a lot of pain and as a 6 year old going further wouldn't be worth it. She said I could spend 10's of thousands trying to get her sound if I wanted, but it just seems to be a bizarre statement based on flexion alone. But like I said, I'm no expert, and I've never had a lame horse before, so I really don't know what is standard. She didn't go any further than the flexion test. Would you ask for more tests? X-ray/radiograph/ultrasound/MRI? Or just take her word for it?
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1930
 
Location: Not where I should be... | I think I'd go to a different vet..... and certainly get xrays, etc |
|
| |
|
 It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | Absolutely get a second opinion. From a vet willing to thoroughly work the horse up to figure out where it is lame, including nerve blocks and diagnostics such as X-ray/ultrasound. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Windoming | I once had a vet tell me the same about a six year old because of arthritis in his hocks. I sold him with full disclosure and with maintenance, he went on to be a jam up barrel horse and 19 second pole horse well into his twenties. Needless to say, I regret not having another vet look at him. Sometimes giving them time off just makes them a year older...... |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | She is hurting is NOT a diagnosis. You knew that before you went to the vet. If that is all she had to say then that vet did nothing for you or for the horse. Taking a horse that is too sore to "ever be ride-able" again and making her carry a foal without any actual knowledge as to why she is in pain is really terrible advice.
You need a second opinion and an actual exam with perhaps some diagnostic tests (radiographs, blocking etc) to give you an actual idea as to where the pain is coming from. You need a vet that is actually interested in diagnosing lameness before you write off a 6 year old. |
|
| |
|
Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| rodeodreamin - 2019-01-30 12:07 PM
I think I'd go to a different vet..... and certainly get xrays, etc
Yes I definitely would go to another vet and spend the money on x Ray's or MRI. |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Did she offer to find out why she is hurting, do x-rays etc? If not, you need a new vet-a real one lol. If she did and you declined because of expense, then that’s a different story but you’re going to have to be willing to spend some money to find out what is going on. Are you in Texas? we have numerous excellent vets if you need a recommendation. Maybe she just needs her hocks injected.
Edited by rodeomom3 2019-01-30 12:30 PM
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 705
Location: Weatherford, TX | Look...I do not mean to be harsh...EXACTLY WHY is she hurting and from what? What did this vet tell you that means ONLY pasture sound? I read through all the responses and did not see exactly WHY she is hurting or only pasture sound? Until you can say why, I don't think you can ask for opinions on EXACTLY WHAT to do. My first, immediate answer is a good lameness vet.
Trying to help.
Edited by Gator Bug 2019-01-30 12:22 PM
|
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| Nope, I am in Montana. Any suggestions on the best lameness vets up here? I am more than happy to spend money on imaging and maintenance such as injections if it will work, it was just presented to me as essentially a non-option.
The vet did not offer to do any sort of imaging or suggest any reason other than possible poor cartilage development or arthritis. I didn't even start this horse until she was 4, so she had plenty of time to develop that way. She did not give any real explanation, I just went to her because my horse's back has been sore and she hasn't been wanting to pick up her left hind lead (just cross-firing) though she has come out of that mostly in the pasture on her own.
She didn't like how the musculature in her butt was shaped up top (I have been working on filling this Mare out for 2 years since I got her because she was very thin when I purchased her), but in my opinion, the musculature in her butt is looking much better and starting to square up (finally).
Edited by Aggieruns17 2019-01-30 12:32 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but I wouldn't work with that vet ever again, myself. If she wasnt specific to WHAT could be causing the pain she's not helping you or the horse, just taking your money.
Sounds like you've got the idea of what you need to do....a second opinion and are willing to do that, so that's great. I hope someone on here can recommend a good lameness vet within driveable distance for you! |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I would what a lameness vet to be looking at this mare, theres a reason why this horse is sore and if your vet is not willing to put the time in to looking for a problem then find a good horse vet that is willing to do more then just look and touch.
How does your saddle fit, what brand of saddle do you have, do you have any pictures of your mare?
Hurts really bad is not a answer, kinda sounds like this vet dont really know what to look for are where to start looking. |
|
| |
|
 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| I'm with the crowd on this one - you need a good lameness vet, or at least one who will methodically move through processes to find what is wrong and where and help find therapy for it, whether physical or pharmaceutical or both. |
|
| |
|
Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24954
Location: WYOMING | I had a mare with a shoulder injury. Vet said put her down, won't even be a pasture pet. Second opinion was a minor standing surgery... she went on to many many 1D wins for many years... |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| I had her fitted down at Three Forks Saddlery and they had her in a Circle Y Flex Tree 2. It fits her great. I went through a few saddles trying to find one that fit, so I think we have that issue worked out. I'll go on my phone and post a photo of her. I don't have one from behind on her, but I have some good side shots. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| Where in MT are you? |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| Whitehall :) |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| Whitehall :) |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Do you have a good honest horse Chiropractor in your area? If you have a really good one I would have he/she have a look, this mare could be out somewhere.. |
|
| |
Folks on-line