I recently took in a 25 year old Arab mare. She was in a kill pen in Texas, I’ve had her 3 months, she was loaded with infection, but that has been resolved. She has been eating well and putting on weight, the problem is when she rolls she has a difficult time getting up. I realize her condition and age is a big factor, but I’m wondering if anyone has tips to strengthen her hind legs.Thoughts?
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Have you tested her for EPM?
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OP, I just wanted to thank you for taking in this horse.
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My gelding started acting like his back legs didn’t work when getting up when he had EPM.
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It could be a lot of things; arthritis, prior injury, EPM, etc. I wouldn’t try to “strengthen” anything until you’ve ruled some of these things out.
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Echoing others - I’ve watched EPM and Lyme wreck horses that way. However, she may have an old injury or other neuro deficits that are causing it. Is she on any daily previcox or bute? Sometimes a bute trial is suggested for these to see if it’s “regular” pain or something else.
It’s worth having the vet out. Try to get a video of her trying to get up to share with them.
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I’d try a pain med trial and see what happens. At her age, it might be a long-term solution to put her on Equioxx so I’d use that for your trial. Realize it’s usually a couple of days before it makes a real difference so don’t give up on day three.
And welcome to the adopted senior club! I got mine when she was 26. She is now 30 and doing better now than when I first got her. 
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I’d try a pain med too, it could be just a bad arthritis. My old horse developed a weakness in his hind legs due to Cushing too
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Thank you everyone for responses and advice. Ginger was down last night when I went to do chores, she did eventually get up on her own, but was very weak and unsteady. This morning when I went out she was down in her stall and couldn’t get up. We tried for a couple hours to get her up, but she just couldn’t do it. I put her down this morning.
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Thank you!
Oh no, I’m so sorry 
. Thank you for taking her and trying to help her.
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I’m so so sorry. I am sure you gave her the best 3 months - and that’s all we can do.
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I’m so sorry, at least she knew she was loved in her last days
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OP, may both you and Ginger know the grace of angels. So grateful for your kindness to her. Good job.
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I’m sorry for your loss of Ginger. Sometimes it’s easier to accept when we have no choice. You did right by her and that’s all any of us can do.
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As painful as it is these next few days - you did the right thing. Horses that have problems getting up due to hind end weakness (or pain) is a sign of the end. It takes a lot of coordination and strength from the hind end to get up and when that fails you are doing the horse no favors prolonging his life. I have had friends that had on older stallion that had issues getting up and they would get the tractor and a sling to get him up but it would have been kinder to just let him go. You did the best thing for this mare by taking her in, treating her well and letting her go before things got worse.
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I’m so sorry about Ginger, but I’m glad that she was loved at the end of her life
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So sorry for your loss 
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