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  Discussion on Old fetlock injury
Author Message
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 8, 2006 - 2:48 pm:

I want to buy an old and super broke (but not necessarily sound) horse that kids can ride in our arena when they come to visit. I've located a 20-year-old Thoroughbred cross that I'm planning to look at on Monday. Her owner says the mare has an old fetlock injury of unknown origin. The fetlock is calcified (per a vet exam) at twice the normal size. The vet never mentioned arthritis. The owner had no problem with the mare when she lived with only a few other horses, but she is now being constantly pushed around in a pen of 14 other horses and this is causing her to come up lame at times. The joint feels warm when this happens. The lameness comes and goes depending on how much she's been pushed around, and usually shows up at the trot. The owner says that, back when the mare lived with only a few horses, her son used to ride her all day long on the flat, and she did fine. She says the mare will canter if asked, and that is okay on the flat, too. She thinks she's okay for riding on slightly hilly terrain, but recommends a light rider and no major hill climbing. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this mare for the purpose I previously stated. I'd like to know what else to check for when I go see her. Also, what can you tell me about the medication the owner's vet recommended for the mare? She called it "bute-less," and says its an organic substance that is easier on a horse's stomach than bute. Thanks, in advance, for your insights.
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 8, 2006 - 6:52 pm:

Hi Heidi,
I had to cringe a little when I read your post. The description of your horse sounds so much like mine! Last May my dressage instructor gave me a 20 year old thoroughbred cross gelding. His rear fetlocks were severely DrOpped and swollen but he had such a great disposition and I really enjoyed riding him. Plus he fits me great - he's almost 17 Hands and I'm almost 5'8".

Well, it turns out that my horse has DSLD and there is no cure. He just had x-rays last week to determine how bad things are. The vet told me that there is mineralization in the rear suspensory ligament and that the sesamoid has DrOpped below the joint. I am considering some radical shoeing to help him get more comfortable. I guess the most important thing I have learned through all this is to not underestimate how attached you can get to an animal. I love this horse so much and it kills me that there is so little I can do to help him. If you are interested in seeing what DSLD horses look like, check out www.dsldequine.info .
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 7:02 am:

What type of riding would the kids be doing Heidi? And what is in the "bute-less"?
DrO
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 7:19 am:

The kids would mostly be riding in an enclosed pasture or arena, down the road, or on some slightly hilly trails. Do you know what might have caused the calcification? I don't know what is in the "bute-less." Frankly, I've never heard of it and thought maybe it was some new wonder drug, but I will ask when I visit the mare.
Member:
Annes

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 10:58 am:

FYI - A product called No-Bute is sold by Emerald Valley Botanicals and was mentioned in John Lyons Perfect Horse Oct 2001 issue in a article about chronic pain. It is devil's claw in an apple cider vinegar base and said to be equivalent to a one to two gram dose of bute. It was noted as being "well accepted". I have never ordered so cannot recommend but it may be what your seller is using.
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 11:59 am:

That's got to be it, Ann.
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 7:23 pm:

I checked with the owner and she verified that she is giving the No-bute to the mare.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 10, 2006 - 7:32 am:

With humans, Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) extracts, containing at least 50 mg harpagoside per dose, has shown significant relief from chronic pain in a few studies. No side effects were noted in these studies and there is still a strong feeling that we do not know enough about the effects of this therapy to recommend it in humans. There are no safety or efficacy studies in horses.

After reading your clarification on the work level I don't think I can tell if this horse can do what you ask. Particularly worrisome is this "calcified fetlock where arthritis is not mentioned". I think you should have a veterinary exam done including the radiographs. After such an exam they would be able to better tell you if the horse will hold up.

I think this horse might well ferry kids around an arena at a walk. If you are going to want to ask the horse to do more than it is doing now it would not surprise me to see a worsening of the lameness.
DrO
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Friday, Feb 10, 2006 - 10:01 am:

Thanks, Dr. O. My reason for bringing this up was to decide if I should even make the two-hour round trip to see the mare. After reading your message and talking with my own vet (who suspects severe and worsening arthritis), I've decided to pass on her all together. I'd really like something healthy enough to at least trot and also canter with enough encouragement. And so the search goes on...thanks again.
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