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  Discussion on New Horse and older shoulder injury
Author Message
New Member:
krazykte

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008 - 1:41 pm:

Hi. This is my first post, I am a new member.

I am a 60 year old grandma just learning to ride. I have had a hard time finding the perfect horse, but I did and I adore him. He is a 12 year old quarter horse and a doll. I have not ridden him yet because of knee replacement surgery, but my best friend has and said that he is fine at a walk and slow trot but favors his left front shoulder and shows lameness at other gates. I am just sick. The person I bought him from is willing to take him back but I adore him. The gentleman he got him from was called and we discovered that two or three months ago he was kicked severely in the front shoulder by another horse. He was very lame at the time but was improving at time of sale. I called several vets and none have x ray machines that can do shoulders and I would have to take him to a specialist, which I just can't afford. I also noticed that he wears special slightly built up shoes. How long is a reasonable time to expect recovery from a shoulder injury if there were no broken bones or dislocation? The man that owned him did not take him to the vet but I since he does not favor it at walk/trot I am hoping there were no bones broken. I don't know who else to ask or what to do.
Member:
canter

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008 - 2:57 pm:

Welcome to HA, Karen.

I'm afraid that without further diagnostics, no one is going to be able to answer your question of a reasonable recovery time.

I hope that he continues to recover and is fine for you to ride by the time you have fully recovered from your knee surgery.
New Member:
krazykte

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008 - 5:07 pm:

Thanks for the reply, Fran. Do you think that if I took him to the vet for a physical and i told him the problem, he might have some insight to the issue by the feel of the shoulder and the gait? Are there certain symtoms that might indicate how serious it is?
Also, he has dry hooves with "built up" shoes. Could that be an indicator of an ongoing problem that was being assisted with shoes?
Sorry to sound so ignorant. I just love this horse and am hoping this is something good food and rest might cure. I don't plan to do any more than occasional trail rides and weekend gentle riding.
Member:
paul303

Posted on Thursday, Jul 3, 2008 - 1:37 am:

How are the shoes built up, Karen? Is it just in the heels? I have a mare who has worn "built up" shoes since the late eighties. She has navicular. It did shorten her show career, but she has been a wonderful trail and arena mount. The only thing I have to do, is to have her shod every 5 weeks. Dry hooves is a relative term, and is addressed in articles on this site.

Good luck, Karen, and welcome!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 3, 2008 - 5:55 am:

Welcome Karen,
Though we are unable to predict what a veterinarian might find, the severity of the lameness and external palpation are not likely to prognose the future soundness of the horse. Most temporary lameness issues should have resolved by 3 months, but not all. The time involved worsens the prognosis. In general you should not buy a lame horse with the hope that it will come sound but if you continue to want to give this horse a try, perhaps a veterinarian examining the horse could give you further direction even without a radiograph.
DrO
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