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Discussion on Rehabilitating an old starved, lame, stringhalt(?) stallion
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New Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 - 10:01 pm:
Hello HAers! I've been lurking a while, but wondered whether folks could offer me any suggestions on a difficult rehab..
I had the opportunity to rescue a 24yo Spanish (PRE) breeding stallion. This fine old man has been used up and poorly maintained. He spent most of his last 22 years confined, often w/o so much as a window. His problems include:
- severe malnutrition/starvation (feeding as advised in article and by my vet)
- wormy! Treated.
- bad tail-- hair loss from sides as well as back??? No apparent fungus.
- capped hocks
- severe suspensory deterioration in his left fore; some compromise in the right fore.
- bilateral hind end atrophy over the croup through the gaskin
- bilateral neurologic spasmodic hock contraction (probably stringhalt, but I have a neurologic consult pending)
I've had him for about 8 weeks. I've been hand walking him on firm ground as his soundness permits, and feeding him as suggested (soaked, because he bolts and chokes) in the article, with some additional input from my vet. He is slowly gaining some strength (no longer props in the corner). Surprisingly, he has produced a nice shiny coat. I gave him a buddy next door and a stall with a small run. I think sunlight and companionship have probably made the biggest difference to him-- he's a very merry wreck these days, and developing all kinds of opinions about life. His cup of life is 3 DrOps full, which seems like a lot to him, apparently.
So I'm looking for tricks/advice on how to balance his hind end-- which needs hand walking-- against his front end, which needs rest. Any feeding tricks for an old compromised horse, pain management suggestions, tales of success, anything?
- Elizabeth
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 2:19 am:
Elizabeth, Thank you for GIVING him a cup of life! The rescues I've worked with just take time, lots of it.Grated carrots ,beet pulp and corn oil have helped but the best is sunshine and hugs the rest will come. Much good advice here so you will have lots of things to think about, All the best to your old man, he no doubt will reveal tons of opinions as he goes! Cindy
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 7:26 am:
I found this website while searching for info on feeding a yearling in very poor condition. She's a very pretty 5 year old now and it was amazing journey to watch her turn into a nice normal little horse. I don't have any advice on the leg problems but I can tel you that just providing decent feed does wonders. Like Cindy said, some corn oil, lots of sunshine & fresh air. Just let him be a horse and watch time work wonders.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 9:02 am:
Welcome Elizabeth,
How bad are those suspensories you write about?
DrO
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New Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 1:43 pm:
I tried to post a picture, but need to find a way to reduce the image. I have the option of hauling to CSU for ultrasounds, but am unconvinced it's worth the trailer ride, at least right now.
On the left fore, the pastern is horizontal. There is certainly involvement of the fetlock and other structures as well. On x-ray, we see bony changes in the attachment points (I realize that isn't a good technical description). There is no heat or swelling (though there are occasionally snap, crackle, pop sound effects). His entire leg has changes that cause him to toe out on the left, which is not an original conformational flaw.
On the right fore, he is in the earlier stages of degeneration. Because of his hind end problems, this is the best leg he's got.
He came in front shoes that we were able to snap in half-- farrier estimated them at 18-24 months old. We have slowly removed foot and brought his breakover back as much as we dare. He is barefoot now, though I would like an egg bar on the right fore, when he is strong enough to tolerate shoeing. I don't dare do that on the left, in case the "support" translates to leverage.
- Elizabeth
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 7:51 am:
Elizabeth for information and programs to help reduce image file size check out Help & Information » Uploading Images and Files Into a Posting.
Horizontal is badly broken down and trimming critical but it sounds like you have a handle on the trimming. I find it hard to give firm advice on what would be acceptable exercise because it will be hard to predict response, I think you are going to have to play this a little at a time. You will have to watch for the response to slowly increasing exercise with changes in swelling, pain, and angle of pastern and let them be your guide. As for feeding advice see the article associated with this forum. For pain management check out Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » NSAID's, Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs, Overview.
DrO
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New Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 10:30 pm:
Hello all,
Just an update on my guy. My vet came by with our consulting Neurologist (Dr. Cuddon) this morning to examine him. It was interesting for everyone but the horse, who was bored and troublemaking.
Net is that he ruled out many things, including equine motor neuron disease, PNE, Herpesvirus, shivers. If it's EPM, it's highly atypical.
He concurred with my google-based opinion that stringhalt (neuropathy) is the most likely diagnosis, though he is troubled by his pectoral atrophy, which is markedly worse than his other muscles on the front end. His front end appears neurologically normal from pen & poke tests. In his hind end, both quadriceps are severely atrophied, and remain flaccid under load.
He would like to follow-up with an EMG. This would give us a view of whether the disease is general or specific, and where the damage is. On the other hand, I'm not sure it offers guidance as to how to offer him relief, so I'm on the fence.
Also wondering whether to proceed on the ultrasound on the left front suspensory.
- Elizabeth
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 8:39 am:
Elizabeth, first consider your goals for this horse. Then ask the veterinarian for a list of rule outs that the EMG will flesh out and what the differential therapies are and the cost of the procedure. Put it all together and you should be able to decide if the EMG worth taking.
Pretty much the same principles apply to the suspensory but here you will be looking at whether all the damage is chronic (scars) or if there are signs of acute injury (edema), it may change the exercise regimen.
DrO
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New Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 1:41 pm:
Hi Dr. O,
Thanks. I think the EMG is kind of a science project. The symmetry and intermittent cha-cha are like one of those master-level bar puzzles for vets. Hard to put away unsolved.
Question: if the suspensory damage is old, does that make him (probably) more exercise tolerant? He's had almost 25 years of confinement, so if rest made him healthy, he'd be superhorse by now! I'd like to be able to give him a small paddock for daily turnout, if it weren't horribly risky.
I guess this question should push me towards the ultrasound...
Thanks!
- Elizabeth
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 - 8:50 am:
Old healed damage could be turned out for paddock or pasture rest. Acute unhealed damage needs enforced rest in a stall rested with possible hand walking.
DrO
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Member:
5691
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Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 3:15 am:
Elizabeth,
I am moved by your compassion and caring for this long suffering horse. I am sure beyond doubt that your coming into his life has changed it from black and white to technicolor...
Bless you and please keep us posted to his story.
Smiles,
Debra
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 6, 2007 - 2:54 pm:
Just an update on "Old Hef." He's gained about 200lbs, with a good amount of muscle and a huge amount of stallion 'tude. His bizarre bilateral neuropathy/stringhalt symptoms have abated significantly with exercise. Where he used to have a reflex kickboxing move on almost every step, you now see only occasional kicks.
His suspensory injuries appear stable. I've accepted that the soundness fairy will not be leaving him new front suspensories under his pillow, so am trying to give him quality of life and hope those last few ligament strands are *really* tough.
I think for this horse the key components to his rehab so far have been equine senior (soaked), sunshine, controlled exercise, green grass, and a cranky gelding pal. I have done more, but I think those have been mental therapy for me, and not all that useful for him.
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Member:
shanson
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 6, 2007 - 3:36 pm:
Thanks for update! Would love to see pictures of this old fella from time to time! ...sharon
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 6, 2007 - 6:00 pm:
Elizabeth, what mental therapy you may have done for yourself was just as good for "old Hef" as it was for you, so well done, it is a lot of work and understanding to reach out and help especially when most would of turned away!  Cindy
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Member:
5691
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 6, 2007 - 11:55 pm:
HI Elizabeth,
Wonderful reading the update on old Hef. I chuckled at the reference to the "soundness fairy"..Oh that just a sprinkling of magic dust could keep all four corners sound.
From confinement to company and caring... You are to be commended.
I too, would love to see pictures of Hef.
Smiles,
Debra
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 - 6:09 am:
Thanks for the update Elizabeth, and congrats to Hef.
DrO
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 9:10 am:
For those who were following Hef's progress.... Very sadly, I buried Hef back in my mares' pasture earlier this week. I put him down after he suffered catastrophic damage to both front suspensories. He was not a sedate patient, and did not have legs enough to support feeling better for very long, it seems. I'm not sorry that his last steps were just goofing around with his bud, looking at the girls.
It is awfully quiet around here without him.
As a breeder, Hef's early (for the breed) breakdown has made me even more convinced of two things:
1) We have an obligation to manage our breeding animals for longevity and quality of life as well as productivity. The folks who locked him in the dark and destroyed his front feet more or less guaranteed this week's fatal breakdown.
2) Gelding is one of the greatest investments we breeders can make in the future quality-of-life of our horsey "products." My breed typically does not cut males, but I will continue to do so, unless I produce something with outstanding potential and a secure path to meeting that potential.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 9:59 am:
Elizabeth, I'm sorry to hear that you you had to put Hef down. However, I rejoice in the fact that you gave this poor old guy a taste of life as it should be and that your care and compassion made his last days on earth peaceful and happy. I think there must be a special place in heaven for people like you. Thank you for taking time to care for this guy.
And, I totally agree with you comments at the end of your post. I would only add that the second most important thing would be to train all our horses so they can be handled easily.
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 10:46 am:
Thank you for giving him a happy time even if it was short.
Gelding horses we do not need as stallions is as you say the best we can do for them I couldn't agree more with you.[and with Sara because a well trained and handled animal ALWAYS has a better outlook for life stallion or gelding]
Jos
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 10:59 am:
I'm glad Hef found you, his last few months were good and that was wonderful! He no doubt is racing around on perfect legs letting everyone at the Rainbow Bridge know he is there to PLAY. Cindy
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Member:
hwood
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 12:16 pm:
Bless your heart, Elizabeth. You did a good thing. It was good for you, good for Hef, and good for us to see your example.
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 12:17 pm:
Aww! So sorry Hef didn't make it. We were all pulling for him.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments on breeding. I second that.
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 9:34 pm:
Elizabeth, sorry to hear about Hef, how wonderful of you to give him such a fine home in his last days.
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Member:
judyh
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 10:08 pm:
I echo the words of those who have posted before me. I'm so glad he had some "normal life" before he departed for his place in the universe.
Judy
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Member:
gwen
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Posted on Friday, Jun 29, 2007 - 7:30 am:
I'm sorry, Elizabeth. You did a great thing for him...
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Jun 29, 2007 - 8:41 am:
How sad. I too am so sorry.
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Member:
5691
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Posted on Friday, Jun 29, 2007 - 2:07 pm:
Elizabeth,
Thank you for posting the sad news regarding Hef. There was some kind of karma that allowed the two of you to cross paths. That he was able to spend his last days in sunshine, companionship and caring is very touching and I tip my hat to your compassion.
I applaud your thoughts regarding breeding. Reducing the amount of breeding would be a big step too.
Warmest Regards,
Debra
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Member:
srobert
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Posted on Friday, Jun 29, 2007 - 3:33 pm:
Hef will be in good company with all sorts of wonderful friends capering about the rainbow bridge waiting for us to join them. Hopefully, he's met my Max by now. I'm sure the two of them have already probably gotten themselves into big trouble - and having a wonderful time.
My tears join with yours but my heart is happy for Hef.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 30, 2007 - 6:44 am:
My condolences Elizabeth, and kudos on your taking on caring for this fellow.
DrO
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 30, 2007 - 11:34 am:
I'm sorry to hear of your loss Elizabeth. However, I am so glad that Hef's final days were with someone who gave him the love and care he deserved.
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Member:
warwick
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 4, 2007 - 5:54 pm:
Thank you for giving Hef an opportunity to enjoy life again albeit so briefly. At least he had the chance to regain his dignity and live and feel like a horse should.
As a former breeder, I echo your sentiments entirely.
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