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Discussion on Any guesses on recovery?
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 3:30 pm:
My friend was given a horse who she knows nothing about and hadn't been shod in probably 6 months (per the shoer who shod him the day after he arrived - the farrier also said it would be at least 3 months before he's back to "normal" - and that it looked like he had navicular in one foot).
He was over at the knee and his legs shook and he still is over at the knees and shaking since he was shod. What is the probability that his legs might be normal? It's only been a week and people are telling her to get rid of the sweetest horse I've ever met (aside from my own of course (;) She said she's going to wait another week before she calls the vet to check him out to hopefully give him time to adjust to his new feet and determine a prognosis.
I was just curious if anyone ever came across this and if the horse fully recovered.
Thanks in advance!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 7:13 pm:
How old is the horse Aileen?
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 10:09 am:
Unfortunately, they're not sure. Judging by teeth...could be between 10-15 years old. But we're VERY novice at judging that. We went by my horses teeth who is 10 and the new horses groove is longer than my horse.
He is either a quarter horse or thoroughbred (he looks like an appendix to me. About 16 hands). His lip is tattooed but we can't make out the first figure.
btw, to clarify, he is not shaking as badly now in comparison to before he was shod.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 10:26 am:
Hi Aileen,
What does your friend intend on doing with this horse and why was it given to her? I am wondering if he is an ex-racer of sorts. Susan B.
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 10:41 am:
Hi Susan,
Her daughter's pony died of a terrible bout of colic, and her ex husband wanted to do something for his daughter...So they ended up with a horse they know nothing about, since the ex husband knows nothing about horses.
It is highly possible he is an ex racer. They've heard all types of stories about this horse...ranging from racing to ponying to lesson horse...at this point, we just don't know anything for sure. They assume they'd figure it out when/if he is ridable and what kind of manners he has under saddle. He has PERFECT manners on the ground.
Her daughter would like to do play days, team penning, and horse shows (western).
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 11:39 am:
Hi Aileen,
So sorry to hear about the daughter's pony. It's always tough when a kid has to lose their horse. I can't really say what the outcome for this new horse is going to be. Maybe ex husband could be introduced to horses with a veterinary exam bill.
There are many good farriers out there who can perform near miracles in corrective and therapeutic shoeing but doesn't necessarily cure underlying pathologies. Your friend's best bet would be to have this guy looked at by a vet so she knows what she is truly dealing with. Susan B.
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 11:47 am:
Hi Susan,
I completely agree with you...Ex husband SHOULD get the bill...
Do you feel that this horse should be looked at asap, or wait to get used to his new feet to hopefully get a more firm diagnosis? Of course, they don't have money growing on trees...they weren't expecting a "rescue", so they're trying to alleviate additional vet calls.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 1:12 pm:
Hi Aileen,
I would recommend that this horse be examined by a vet with the farrier in attendance. The one who said he can get this horse good in 3 months. The emphasis should be on the goals they want to obtain with this horse and how much money, time and emotion they can handle not to mention proper accommodation for a horse that may be in rehab. Vet's do not have "Crystal Balls" although I do remember Dr.O having made mention of one somewhere on another post  . It is such a shame that these things have to happen to the sweet horses. Keep posting with the outcome Aileen. Susan B.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 1:32 pm:
not that this helps,,, but there is NO such thing as a free horse...
a free horse usually comes with lots of bills ..
Ann
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Member:
Oscarvv
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 1:43 pm:
If he has a tattoo he most likely raced.
What did his feet look like before the farrier came out? Why did the farrier mention navicular???
I ditto everyone who says to have the vet out.
If he is over at the knee it usually is not a big deal. I own a horse who is over at both knees and was a Grand Prix jumper.
Keep us posted, he sounds like a sweetie.
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 1:56 pm:
Thanks Susan, I completely agree with you and I'll let the owner know what everyone has said. He is just an angel, everyone's falling in love with him (;)
Ann...I do believe you are correct(;)
Barbara,
Oh so good to hear about the over at the knees possibly being ok! Now that I think about it, I vaguely remember a trainer saying that a horse over at the knees has beautiful movement.
His feet were awful...it made me sick to my stomach just to look at them. One was starting to curl...(
The farrier mentioned navicular because his heel in one of the front hooves was extremely contracted...however, she did say it was highly possible they were contracted due to the severity of his condition and that a vet would have the last word on that.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 2:04 am:
It is not good that a middle age horse is over that badly at the knee htat he is unable to lock it when standing. It suggests a contracted carpal flexor that is not easy to fix (see contracted tendons). There is a chance there is enough irregularity in feet that trimming could release this knee so it would straighten: but hard to imagine. Let us know what your vet says.
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:26 am:
Well, here's an update -- that I'm not entirely happy with, but that's neither here nor there since he's not my responsibility.
She had vet do a "look at" - he said he's more like 16 years of age (they were told he was 6), he wasn't worried too much about his knees, but the ankles were another story - no diagnosis.
She is going to see how it goes, once he's sound, if he stays sound after riding, then she'll consider getting the xrays to determine what exactly is wrong. If he does not recover in a month, she will send him back.
btw, she had the farrier put pads and shoes on all 4 feet and he is moving MUCH better. ( Maybe there is hope?
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