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  Discussion on What does "his Stringhalt will be controlled" mean?
Author Message
New Member:
Dorjean

Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2003 - 11:06 am:

My horse NEVER showed symptoms of Stringhalt. He'd had problms on his right front with a sore tendon - had calcification on his ankle that was treated with steroids - and when he went "off" on the 2nd and was limping on that foot we thought the problem reoccured (did once in 1 1/2 years and a further shot ended that) BUT when trotting him he exhibited flexion in the right hind. Called the vet who said it was "Stringhalt - but we caught it early - it's every 5 steps" put him on an anti inflamatory for 20 days (gave him add'l shots) and said rest him for 4 days then walk him for 15 minutes and he'll be "workable" and you can ride him (waiting to see WHEN - he's checking in 10 days and it's now a week). Asked if the shots would "fix it" and he said no it would control it and you CAN ride your horse. Does control it mean it's going to act up again - often - never goes away - progresses? All things I should have asked him. Read where this is not a painful condition. How do they know that? Walked my horse on the 5th/6th day and he was full of the devil and seemingly feeling great - of course I didn't trot him but he backed and turned fine. Vet said they no longer approve of the surgery - the nerve cutting means lack of feeling and could break the leg. I just want him NOT to hurt and want to know what I have to do to keep him happy.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2003 - 10:22 am:

Hello Dorothy,
We had just completed an update to the article on stringhalt and I uploaded it this morning. It puts a greater emphasis on prognosis and you should review this article to better understand treatment and prognosis.

It also discusses surgery and it's place in treatment. I have never witnessed or even heard of a broken leg as a complication to this surgery.
DrO
Member:
Dorjean

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2003 - 9:47 am:

Thank you so much for your message. I had been so upset about the condition - wondering whether it would progress - hearing it would never go away but he'd be "workable" - thinking of the possiblity of surgery-wondering if/how I'd helped it happen and on and on. We've been working him slowly - to build him up and not strain anything -going from hand walking to riding at a walk a bit more each day - hard with a horse that feels good. Progress was so encouraging and finally had to tranq him a bit so he wouldn't hurt himself by jumping and acting up because he wanted to do more than walk. Then, finally, the vets second visit - a bit after three week's later and two days after the last of his anti inflammatory pills because of other emergencies - and he checked him out by having me hand trot him after our ride and gave me what I consider great news (he did too) - Sunny Boy had suffered a strain in his stifle that looked like stringhalt but now showed itself not to be - probably caused by his major bucks when running free in the corral - and his rolls and rear backs - but at least it's a KNOWN - and I could maybe watch out for it. Now it's two days at a walk THRU the park (had been doing 15 minutes/30 minute walks to build him up) then walk/trots and in 2 weeks the good Lord willing I'll be able to let him canter. I feel a lot better about a "strained stifle" which WILL improve and hopefully with care not occur too often in the future - rather than something that is so baffling (though thanks to you easier to understand) - and I thank you sincerely for your help and advice.
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