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Discussion on Hitch in his get-along
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 - 7:58 pm:
Hi Dr.O. Now that I have Hanks front end fixed I'm hoping you can steer me in some direction with his back end.
A little history.. Since I started riding Hank 7 yrs. ago he has had what I called A hitch in his get-along. It feels like his rt. rear falls in a hole and when cantering a circle to the right and sometimes on the straight away he cross fires and or bunny hops. At canter departs he will buck, crossfire, do ok, crossfire again. There are times he will not canter and prefers what I call a long driving trot. This hitch in his get along comes and goes, when it's gone he is perfect at the canter...long side and circles.
The vet just recently flexed him and palpated his stifles. The rt. stifle was quite sore and flexed positive. The left was fine. Of course this can be numerous things, but the odd way it comes and goes has us baffled. He can be fine for months, then it comes back for a week than goes away for months again. He ALWAYS stands with that rt. rear way forward and under him. When he is going thru those spells I don't ride him as he seems very sore. He doesn't warm up out of it and going down hills really seems to aggravate it. Taking into consideration I live in a small town and our vets our limited in their diagnostic tools and experience in lameness. My vet really didn't know what to call it, he said if he had an ocd he would be lame more consistently, and it would probably be worsening. I do give him bute when he goes thru this which helps some, but if I ride him the symptoms remain the same on bute? He backs up fine and neurological test was neg. I would appreciate any ideas you may have, this hitch in his get-along puts him out of commision more than I like. Here is a pic of how he stands. 95% of the pictures I have of him he is standing like this. The 1st pic is from 2002 the 2nd from this year. Is he trying to turn his stifle out? Thanks
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 - 8:31 pm:
OH and I want to add the vet nor I believe this is hoof related. He hoof tested neg.....that being said Many years ago I had him shod in the rear and it seemed to help some. Could the support from shoes help a stifle condition?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 6:44 am:
Dr.O. I was reading your article on DJD and I guess it is quite possible That is Hanks problem. It's just odd it would start when he was so young, (3)and only one side. He is 10 now. My vet did suggest legend and Hank is on an oral supplement. All I have at my disposale is a x-ray machine, the vet said he could take x-rays of Hanks stifle. I just had my doubts that the portable machine they have would be powerful enough? Thanks
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 7:55 am:
I don't think you have localized the lameness Diane so that would be your first step.
DrO
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 6:48 pm:
Dr.O. After all the flexing,palpating, and hoof testing the vet felt it was his meniscus. I will run his theory by you...he thinks Hank probably has some damage in there from when he was a youngster and when it gets wet out he slips and slides and aggravates it. Remember his pasture is all hill, and he is very active running about. I have seen him slip and fall on different occasions while running like an idiot. Normally they are very careful and sure footed but occasionally they get this BURST of energy. He did this when pastured on flat ground also. I guess all I can do is deal with it as it flares up. Since the ground is muddy again I have them on lock up and Hank on bute and he seemed better in 5 days. Does that theory seem reasonable to you?
Unfortunately I don't have the funds for expensive diagnostics. X-rays would be pushing it at this time.
The vets theory makes sense to me, because it does SEEM when it is the muddy seasons is when it acts up.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 8:48 am:
If that is the diagnosis, meniscal injury of at least 7 years duration, there is little in the way of medical treatment I can offer you other than that you will find in the article on arthritis. I would want a bit more confirmation though like a IA block to localize where I should be treating.
DrO
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Member:
freshman
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 - 12:21 am:
The horse looks overweight in the current pictures. Modifying his body condition could help his lameness issues long-term.
Kristin
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 - 6:59 am:
Kristin, I missed marked that, the 2nd pic is from last year, he is fat tho...it is a constant battle with my horses..he is losing some weight, but without being able to ride or excersise him it's not easy. He is also locked in a small paddock. The grass is very lush right now and the vet said founder is rampant in this area.
He only gets 3 flakes of grass hay thru the day and a handful of pellets.
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