Bone Scan vs..? UPDATE /\/\ back to vet 12/2

[Lunabear1988]

It might just take time. I would think there would be a fitness element to because I’m sure she’s been using herself differently since there was pain.

Did the vets recommend any strengthening stuff besides the lunging and riding? Thinking like carrot stretches, butt tucks, equicore or sure foot pads? I wonder if any of that might be useful in a gentle way to help rehab. I’m saying this as someone who’s going through stifle stuff and now possible SI strain with my current horse. Rehabbing is tough and nerve wracking!

I think it sounds like you are on the right track though. Fingers crossed!

[SporthorseFun]

Can I be a fourth member of the club? My horse is 12 years old and has been mysteriously lame on and off for years. We have looked and looked for the cause, and it is very, very hard to make heads or tails out of what is going on. Your latest post is really encouraging. It is so good you are seeing a difference and are heading in the right direction. Keep us posted. Hang in there!

[starsandsun]

I’ve had real success using the Eagle ProSix, riding and not riding (lunging and paddock time), and Surefoot pads.

[Obsidian_Fire]

Vet wants me to use side reins. I use them sparingly because this mare insists on being “speshul”. LOL. I have the Equicore system. My loose plan is to mix the week up with poles, side reins/equicore, loose lunging (halter only), etc. Riding right now, I truly only want to sit on her to cool her off. Do some easy stretches (I use the Simon Cocozza book), easy lateral work, and straight lines! March a straight line at the walk. I also back her in hand. She has been an interesting horse to bring along. I alternate between working gaits and “western pleasure slow” because she has a tendency to just zone out. For example she’ll be trotting right along and THAT’S ALL THERE IS! Her mind is just locked into "I must stay exactly here doing exactly this and nothing else! So, I have found by asking her to go really slow she has time to breathe, think, relax, she gets less shut down. Over the 5 years I’ve had her this tendency has gotten a lot better, but it is still there. She lives for the “good girl”, I mean I think she would die for it, LOL!
Anyway, I am all ears for anybody who has tips tricks techniques and what-all.

@SporthorseFun you most certainly may join this club! Happy to have you!

[Lunabear1988]

I’ve been thinking about that book. I’ve heard good things.

She sounds like a special girl and your a fantastic owner!!

[Lunabear1988]

I am just remembering, I had an ottb that got his SI injected years ago. Like 15 years ago. I am remembering that at the time they told me a SI injections were one thing that took a while to see any affects, like a month or so. Is that still something that they think? This was so long ago but I thought that was something I was told or maybe seen on coth instead ha ha.

For my horse I remember it wasn’t a dramatic change. But then he popped a splint and was on stall rest for a while. When he came back, he felt fantastic. I made it hard to know what did the difference lol. We don’t have any diagnostics in the SI area at the time though just palpitations and x-rays of other areas.

[starsandsun]

If I could make a suggestion … I’d avoid side reins. I get a better result with my horse stretching forward and over his topline by putting the reins ‘behind’ the stirrup leathers. (did I say that right?). This gives him the opportunity to balance himself, not on his mouth, and to find his own harmony. It’s been super useful.

[Jealoushe]

@Obsidian_Fire

Which I think is kinda weird for a horse not doing anything but whatever.

Not weird at all, actually quite common. Think of yourself sitting around for months in pain not doing anything. No exercise, no rehabd or physio. You would become more stiff, and sore.

Back pain creates a cycle of pain in horses. Their back is large and really supports so much for them, so a sore back leads to compensation and issues elsewhere.

I would suggest doing daily masterson method on her back, neck, poll and hind end. I found it extremely beneficial to my mare who had a terrible back injury. She recovered and built muscle from this alone. Before she was back under saddle.

I would also take it really slow since you are basically rehabbing at this point. I would do 4 weeks of walk/trot before even considering cantering on the lunge.

You might want to also have a listen to Dr.DeClues recent podcast.

https://declue-equine.com/episode-52-cantering-issues-and-problems-in-sport-horses/

Also agree with @starsandsun. Side reins on a horse who isn’t strong and balanced just causes more problems.

[NaturallyHappy]

How do you use the sure foot pads, and what differences have you seen? Thank you!

[Obsidian_Fire]

Starsandsun can you explain how you set that up? Reins behind the stirrups? I am not picturing this at all!
As for side reins… I’m in the “less is more” with this mare and she stretches very well without them. She also wants to carry herself up. By herself.

[starsandsun]

Drop the stirrups and then slip the reins under the leather on each side, so the reins sit up at the top of the saddle/withers - the horse gets to feel like you’re riding on the buckle (but no one is up there, obviously).

[starsandsun]

They have really helped my guy … can’t explain why, but when he is regularly on the Surefoot pads (standing for 3-5 minutes a day), he uses his hind end much better, and has markedly reduced how much he drags his left hind toe. It’s wild, actually. I have 4, and sometimes use one under each hoof, sometimes 2 under his left hind and 1 or 2 on his right front. I mix it up and it’s really interesting to see how he responds. He gets to choose when he’s done - if he moves off them, he’s finished.

[NaturallyHappy]

Cool! I just bought some- one set of squares and one set of slants. Do you use both?

[starsandsun]

I don’t have the slants but want to add them. Let me know how they work!

[TWH_Girl]

Yeah! Such a great, well thought out rehab plan. Here’s to you and your girl!

[hillary_again]

@Obsidian_Fire: I recommend the Equestic device. I spent a year trying to find the cause of lameness in my horse, got that via bone scan and other diagnostics, and then a year resting and rehabbing (ligament injury).
It took me a little while to determine how to read the data that the Equestic gives off, but it’s been VERY helpful. Once we went back to trotting, undersaddle and otherwise, the device helped me align my feel and my observations with actual information about symmetry, as my horse gained strength and her own confidence.
I bought the device and also subscribed to the first level, which tracks data and gives you more information from each ride.
This tool’s given me more confidence as I have added work to her each week.

BTW, I too was given advice about Equicore and side reins. I skipped the Equicore - I knew it would take too much work to desensitize her on that. I think I have gotten the best of all of that by just riding with very long reins in super long-and-low a lot, both at walk and trot.

Best wishes!

[Lunabear1988]

OP, I hope your mare is still doing well?

[Obsidian_Fire]

Not so much. She’s “okay” but not the okay I had been hoping for. I will be going back to the vet sooner rather than later.
Mostly all I have been doing is walking - lots of walking in a straight line. One of my theories is that if I can convince her to do things on a straight line she will “have to” use her hind end more evenly. I got on one morning a couple weeks ago and put the reins in one hand the other in my pocket and around we went until she finally heaved a big sigh and relaxed. One thing I’m really looking for with this mare is that relaxation. Without it, she’s never going to understand what actually hurts, what doesn’t, when, and honestly I won’t either. Her hind end…how do I explain this… isn’t contributing to the conversation. It’s more than just ‘green horse on the forehand’ stuff. Yesterday on the lunge I saw something that made me think “huh, the hind end is starting to talk”, but right now I can’t remember what it was. She slipped on a wet spot in the arena and from her reaction I think that hurts, or she anticipates it will hurt; I know it sure worries me when that happens.
It’s really hard trying to bring a horse back into work when it is now winter and cold wet windy and all of that. Certainly not helping.
Thanks for asking.

[Lunabear1988]

Dang. I’m sorry it’s not as great as you hoped but It does sound like you’re still on a great path and she’s lucky to have you. The fact that you were being so careful and still listening to her is a big thing.

All the good vibes your way. I totally get the part about rehabilitation in winter. I was totally down in the dumps a little while ago when the weather’s set in. It’s not fun at all, it’s miserable. But we will persevere!

[greywithchrome]

@Obsidian_Fire

One thing I’m really looking for with this mare is that relaxation. Without it, she’s never going to understand what actually hurts, what doesn’t, when, and honestly I won’t either.

Ugh this is so relatable. My mare got KS surgery in May and I started back riding her about 6 weeks ago. A this time it seems the surgery didn’t work but she is so tense and rushed all the time that I don’t actually know, and I don’t think she does either. Is it pain or pain memory? So hard to tell.