This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Spine, Back & Pelvis » Lower Back Pain in Horses »
  Discussion on Please help diagnose hind leg pain/weakness
Author Message
New Member:
nacho78

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 10:12 am:

My 20 year old Appy gelding suddenly developed a severe lameness in both hind legs 4 days ago. We have had mild temps here until the temps DrOpped to teens and twenties a few days ago - same time Nacho developed this lameness. For some time, my farrier has pointed out a stiffness in his hindquarters which he believes to be arthritis.

He walks with equal, severe lameness and both hind legs.

It does not appear to be in the legs. There is no sign of swelling or tenderness. Each leg wobbles as weight is put on the leg and he doesn't seem to have full motor control of movement. The wobbling seems to be happening in his hips.

I have just started in him on bute and Next Level.

I should also say that we are experiencing an unusualy muddy winter. I have an area in my paddock that is almost a foot deep with mud that the horses have to go thru to come in the barn. It's possible that he's injured his lower back in the process of navigating thru this mud.

Any help very much appreciated.

Teresa
Member:
hwood

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 10:20 am:

Teresa, so sorry to hear about your Appy's unsteadiness. It is very disturbing that it happened so suddenly and severely so that he is unstable on his legs.
It seems to me, very probable, that he hurt his back or hip by falling . . . and I don't know how to check that out except by x-ray, but wouldn't wait too long to do so . . . I would call a vet right away.
New Member:
nacho78

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 12:32 pm:

H Holly wood,

Thanks for the quick response. I do have a call in with the vet, but he cannot come for two days. Although, my horse is having a lot of trouble moving around, his appetite is normal and he appears bright-eyed and happy. -- so I'm not feeling the need to escalate the vet call to emergency level.

I am probably exaggerating when I say this condition came on "suddenly" The severity of his lameness has progressed over the last 4 or 5 days. So he was not perfectly fine one day, then severely lame the next. -- which would seem to indicate a trauma. But, I wanted to point out that this is not a condition that seems to have been coming on for months and months.

I suppose it's possible he has had a very mild form of unsoundness for quite some time previously, which was suddenly escalated due to the weather. I don't ride him because he has RU and is nearly blind, so I wouldn't be as likely to notice a very mild lameness just bringing him in and out of the barn each day.

Nacho took very good care of me on the trails for years. Now, it's my turn to take care of him. I just want to keep him as comfortable as possible in these retirement years.

Thanks again.

Teresa
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 2:29 pm:

Just to go in another direction, is there any possibility of founder or other problem with the front feet that is causing him to put more than normal weight on the rear legs? Horses that have to carry most of their weight on the hind legs will after awhile become sore and weak in the rearend, as well as can also founder in the rear feet from the extra pressure. Just something to check out and consider.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 - 8:28 am:

Bilateral weakness and/or incoordination in the hind legs does suggest a lesion in the spinal cord though bilateral pain in the hind legs is possible. I am afraid from symptoms alone it is hard to say more. We do have an article that outlines possible rule outs and diagnostic techniques at, Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Incoordination, Weakness, Spasticity, Tremors » Diagnosing Incoordination, Ataxia and Weakness. I hope it helps as you wait for the vet.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC