Also dont under-estimate the value of this thread. Id not heard of this disease, and have not heard of a diagnosis here, but because of this thread ive raised it as possibility with a rescue horse thats out with my baby. There is something quite wrong with it in the ligaments/legs
even if its ruled out, atleast someone is looking at tge possibility.
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Interesting 2.5-year update on this thread. (Weirdly, my post about putting this poor boy down seems to have disappeared, which makes me kind of sad. At least all of your wonderful condolence posts remain!)
I recently spoke with the vet studying DSLD at NC State, who was so wonderful when I donated Remy to her study, and she said that his case and others helped them learn that the nuchal ligament biopsy alone is NOT a reliable predictor for DSLD in young horses. That sort of validates the concerns I was grappling with in my very first post on this thread, and makes me feel like less of a dummy for proceeding with the MRI, shockwave, etc. @Lord_Helpus, maybe that also helps you feel better about that dumb vet never getting a good sample from Goober?
The good news is that Dr. Halper at UGA is still working on genetic testing. Hopefully someday this disease can be easily diagnosed so no one else has to go through this heartbreak!
ETA: To summarize the Nov 2018 post that disappeared, I thought Remy was improving after months of stall rest and shockwave but it turned out that his excitement to be out moving around when I longed him was masking his lameness. One day I saw him being completely non-weight-bearing on his LH after standing up from a nap so I asked my vet to come evaluate. We sedated him lightly to check soundness without so much adrenaline, and he was still horribly lame on his LF, LH, and RH after a year of rest and treatment.
After that I turned him out for a few days on the gorgeous fall grass to be with his buddies and enjoy freedom again. I then drove him down to NC State where they are studying DSLD. They did some additional MRIs for research purposes, let him go while he was under general anesthesia, and harvested his ligaments to be biopsied at UGA (which confirmed that he had DSLD–the post-mortem tissue analysis is much more accurate than the nuchal ligament biopsy).
The vets and staff at NC State were incredibly compassionate every step of the way, and sent me a wonderful, tear-inducing, handwritten sympathy card the next week. It was very clear from the card that Remy’s big personality shone through in just his two days there. Hauling the empty trailer home was horrible and I still miss him, but I know that I made the right decision for him. I’m also very glad he was also able to contribute to the state of knowledge on this awful disease.
Here are some photos of Remy, since my memorial post disappeared: one of his first moments in the world, one of him enjoying his last days grazing with his friends after months of pointless stall rest, and one of his sweet, goofy baby face just because. 
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Very good to know Dr. Halper is still working on this. DSLD/ESPA is very tough for both the horse and owner. Thank you for updating.
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Thank you aiding research. I have seen DSLD. I donated a very elderly horse for an autopsy class at a vet school, eons ago.
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Oh, you made me tear up again. Big fat hugs, Libby. Thank you for the update, I know you must still be missing him. The photos are lovely. Bittersweet to know that Remy is gone but that he has helped NC State and Dr Halper with even more understanding of the disease. I hate DSLD.
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Oh, you made me cry! Thank you for the update and for posting the pictures. I know how much you did for him and you gave him the best life. His body will help doctors and researchers develop better diagnostics and tests. I’m so sorry you had to go through this.
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glad to hear Remy helped with further understanding of DSLD. He was lucky to have a great owner too, that ending sounds about as peaceful as one could get in such a hard situation.
He was such a handsome, sweet looking boy. Looks so much like my first NQR horse.
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Libby, your post brings back so many memories. I am glad to know you are still out there and truckin’ along. PM me through Pam Hall Mahony on FB since I rarely come over here now.
I cannot remember where we left off, but Goober’s problem was not DSLD, but a sesamoid that had broken off the bone, taking bone with it. Sadly it took so long to figure that out that he had really aggravated his LH. After 2 years of turnout he was 3/4 sound, just a toe drag and a failure to stand much on the leg.
Amazingly enough, along comes thos older lady who wanted a horse to walk in the Foundation and enjoy nature. I told here “Boy, do I have a horse for you!!”. She and Goober have spent 1 full year walking ( she and he got their “100 mile” badge 
). No one else would have had the patience to do that. After 18 months she has started to trot, and is up to 2x around the ring. God love her and god love Goober. They love each other to death and he is overweight from all the carrots he gets. I am encouraging her to do the beginner walk/trot test at a dressage show. There will be many pictures and videos if she does. — This is a long way from the upper level dressage horse he had started out as, but everything happens for a reason.
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@Lord_Helpus, how wonderful to hear such a great update on Goober! I’m so happy that he landed in the perfect situation. I know exactly what you mean about it being a long way from your FEI dressage horse, but he is a lucky boy!
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My 13 year old Saddlebred x Percheron cross gelding who was diagnosed with DSLD in 2018 continues to deteriorate. The vet who diagnosed him told me he had a “couple of years” and we’re three years down the road. At his latest check, she told me to take it season by season. He is achy which previcox does not seem to help so I’ve resorted to a half a bute tablet twice a day with food and this keeps him pretty comfortable. His weight and attitude are both great. But he’s definitely stiff. I just don’t want to wait until it gets too bad but the vet did warn me he could have a catastrophic event out in the pasture where he slips or whatever, which will make the decision for me.
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I’m so sorry. He’s gorgeous.
Its such a shame.
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