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Post by Gilly H on Nov 6, 2009 19:56:32 GMT 1
Hi don't really know if anyone can help with this problem.
Last year my gelding started to limp when being ridden on small circles and tight bends. This lameness came and went. I called the vet to see him and he said that it was not bad enough to do anything about. So I should continue to work him until it worsened. For the following seven months he was sound, he was worked throughout February, March and April regularly. In May I moved him back to his original livery yard and after a few weeks the lameness started again. Intermittently at first until in September it became quite severe in one foot and was beginning in the other. His symptoms are classic navicular syndrome. The nature of the occurrences and the action in his leg being very short. The vet has been out and we started exploring the possibility of navicular. The x-rays showed no change to the navic bone but he does have large side bones. His prognosis was very bleak. The vet sent the x-rays to a surgeon to see if they could operate. However the surgeon said that the side bones were not causing the lameness. He has now been referred for MRI scans to explore further.
Unfortunately because it has taken so long to get this far the insurance company don't think they will pay for any treatment.
Does anyone think that it is possible for me to hell him without having the MRI's done??
Sorry for such a long post but it is very complicated and I am now lost as to what to do. :(
Thanks Gill
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Post by touchstone on Nov 7, 2009 15:18:11 GMT 1
Hello Gill, first off I'm sorry to hear that your horse is lame, been there done that and it's a worrying time!
If the insurance company won't pay for MRI's to be done and cost is prohibitive then I think I'd be looking at alternatives.
It might sound daft, but if your horse is shod I'd seriously consider getting a barefoot trimmer out. There are horses that have recovered from navicular type symptoms and sidebones can cause secondary lamenesses by affecting surrounding soft tissues if they are well developed sometimes, so reducing concussion as much as possible might be useful by removing shoes and using boots and pads.
The other option might be to turn away for a long period of time and bring slowly back into work and see what happens.
My mare went lame with almost classic navicular symptoms, but it turned out to be chronic laminitis, which didn't have the usual laminitis symptoms, so just as a precaution I'd be addressing the diet too to see if it makes any difference.
I hope you manage to get to the root of the problem, best wishes.
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Post by Gilly H on Nov 8, 2009 20:55:49 GMT 1
Thanks for you advice. I have taken his shoes off and after the first few days he already walks better. Only today I had to stand and watch his flying around the field as tho nothing was wrong. I am considering a barefoot trimmer at the mo but as you suggest I am just turning him leaving him to rest for a while. Sadly the side bones are well developed which is why my vet thought they were causing the lameness. I have also thought about the diet and think I will look more closely. He doesnt eat a great deal but I have to work out a way of restricting his grass more without distressing him and his field companion!!! (a very stroppy shetland!!!)
Thanks again Gill
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Persianhorse
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Post by Persianhorse on Nov 8, 2009 21:29:02 GMT 1
Hi, Why daft Touchstone!? You gave the best advise up to my knowledge for going bare foot and getting a professional bare foot trimmer. and also trying to keep the horse with the less weight possible.
Wishing you the best Gilly H and hope your horse would be well and on the mend.
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Post by touchstone on Nov 8, 2009 22:26:12 GMT 1
Hello Persian horse - good to see you posting again I know I'm always apologetic for suggesting barefoot, but so many people in the horse world are against it thinking of shoeing as the only remedial option, that I think it's a bit of a defence mechanism, silly really when I know it can work! That's good news Gilly, here's hoping that he continues to improve! I sympathise about the stroppy shetland though - proper little characters!
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Persianhorse
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The picture is taken from a figure found carved on a bone 5000 years ago in ancient Persia.
Posts: 3,405
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Post by Persianhorse on Nov 10, 2009 1:07:03 GMT 1
Dear Touchstone, it's my honor posting in IH,thank you. My only advise over the internet or on the phone with someone whom his/her horse has any pain in the front and rear legs or even in the chest area is to take the shoes off if the horse is shoed and until now this advise has not harm no one and has helped a lot of horses that I know of,I am sure you advise will do the same.
Wishing you the best Gilly,
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Post by megansmum on Nov 12, 2009 20:39:09 GMT 1
I agree with you on taking the shoes off' it was the best thing I ever did with my lad' he had been lame on and off for years after having nerve blocks etc and special shoes ' took the shoes off and hey presto a different horse' he is 20 now going on 10 and sound as a pound' all mine are bare foot now and home trimmed too' so don't knock it folks iff you havn't tried it' horses were'nt born in shoes'
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Post by jen526 on Nov 13, 2009 14:36:54 GMT 1
Gilly H
This may help! I had one with very large side bones, o/s front was worse than the other (2% lame o/s front only on a circle). My vet grooved the hoof (6 vertical grooves, 3 inside and 3 outside), which over a rather long period resulted in her hoof being a size bigger - in theory this would help releave any effect of the enlarged side bones. I hope this makes sense! The lameness did reduce and she appeared sound, unfortunately when ridden it would return. The vet did also state there is no actual evidence that this condition causes lameness - but we agreed it was prudent to enlarge the feet and rule it out prior to the MRI route. Good luck & hope you remain sound!
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Post by Gilly H on Nov 14, 2009 12:54:16 GMT 1
Thanks to you all.
Thanks Jen for that advice sounds very similar. I will talk to my vet about it. I didnt want the shoes on in the first place and it was my vet that insisted he should have them following a trimming which left him foot sore.
I am trying to change his diet and really now dont know where to start!!! I have bought Nic Barkers book and it is fantastic. Very encouraging but I also realise that this is not going to be easy.
Does any one have any tips on which diets to feed??
Thanks once again to you all
Gill and Harvey x
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Persianhorse
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The picture is taken from a figure found carved on a bone 5000 years ago in ancient Persia.
Posts: 3,405
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Post by Persianhorse on Nov 14, 2009 17:22:12 GMT 1
Have a look at : www.thehorse.com/I hope it helps,weight is so much important,I always like to see the ribs rather to see fat in horses.
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Post by Gilly H on Nov 14, 2009 18:34:11 GMT 1
Thanks Persianhorse just looking now. I spent the first 2 yrs trying to put weight on him then one of the horses left and he put it on so fast and now i really struggle keeping it off him. Which is why I try to keep it simple and my vet says dont feed him!! Unfortunatey he does like to be aout as much as possible.
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Post by stablehand on Nov 26, 2009 23:49:12 GMT 1
I think it is so hard with some vets, there books say you must shoe horses, especially if they having proplems. The important thing for me would be to work out if it is the side bone causing the problem, have they done nerve blocks? Have you tryed medicating it locally? I find it amazing a vet looking at x rays can tell that the side bone is not causing a problem!!! Every horse is different. I have had to go agenst the vets advice with my horse finishing 6 months box rest with lamness problems the vets said he must be shod but did seem to be causing problems now he is bare foot again and i think he is more comfortable but still not moving about enough to help inprove his feet. Good luck.
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Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Nov 27, 2009 11:17:52 GMT 1
Its a shame so many people are against barefoot, it really is the best for the horse!! I took the shoes off my youngster about 7 weeks ago (the other one hasn't had shoes on for a long while and she copes just fine), the youngster is now coping well. What really made me realise I had done the right thing was watching a video clip on youtube (sorry can't post the link as at work and can't get it). It showed the horse trotting in slow motion with and without shoes and you could see the concussion it was causing going up the leg with the shoes on. So Touchstone, I would feel that you shouldn't have to apologise for suggesting barefoot . (I know this is a completely different thread but wanted to reply on barefoot). Hope your horse is better soon, intermittent lameness can be a pain
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Post by june on Nov 27, 2009 17:35:50 GMT 1
Dietwise, a good balancer such as Top Spec Balancer, or Top Spec Leisure/Lite if he's not doing much work, Top Chop Lite and some micronised linseed would be what I'd suggest. Micronised linseed is very good for joints and high in omega 3s so anti-inflammatory which should help too. The cheapest place to find it is Charnwood Milling.
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Post by Gilly H on Dec 12, 2009 19:49:20 GMT 1
Thanks every one latest update .. After x rays and mri scans he has djd (arthritis), damaged ligaments and sidebones!! he is being treated with irap. he is on linseed and a magnitude of minerals. i am now waiting for the treatment to finish and then we can think about rehabilitation. see how it goes
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