Horse Hip Dropped

[catsnhorses]

Hi,
I would appreciate any insight that may be offered on this…I have a gelding who showed up this morning with what appeared to be one of his hips lower than the other. He is 100% sound, although when I tried to ride him lightly–very lightly–just for a moment to see if he’d remain sound, or that I could “feel” something I couldn’t see, he was difficult going to the right, but that’s his bad direction anyway, so not necessarily a symptom, and he felt as sound as he looked, save that he was traveling slightly more crooked than normal, which wasn’t something I saw on the lunge line. I will have the vet out if it persists/worsens, or he shows any sign of lameness, and the chiropractor is coming out tomorrow, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this. It’s unlikely that it’s a swelling in response to an impact injury–he lives in a box stall, and is turned out solo, so no chance of being kicked/getting into a fight with another horse. My only guess is that he cast himself, but he has no other signs–no scrapes, etc. If it weren’t for the visual aspect, it would have been just another day, and I’m curious if anyone has come across something similar?
The link to the photo is below, little bit hard to see, but the “lump” below where his hip would usually be…any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you
~C
http://s172.photobucket.com/user/catsnhorses1/media/IMG_0052_zpspeeqw4tt.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s172.photobucket.com/user/catsnhorses1/media/IMG_0050_zpspzaevshp.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

[jetsmom]

Take a pic from behind with him standing on level ground with all 4 feet equally weighted. It’s easier to see then.

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Agree with jetsmom. That’s the only way you will be able to see the difference from the other hip.

[HorsesinHaiti]

The chiro should be able to do some range of motion and joint mobility tests and see if he has anything unusual going on in that hip.

[Real_Rush]

My old horse Rush had a dropped down hip. (I think his right side?) It happened when he was still on the track, probably from banging it coming out of a starting gate. While it was an old injury, it never affected him soundness-wise. (His cow hocks saw to that.) Since your guy’s is much fresher, I would definitely see if the chiro can help any. If not, don’t worry, it’s not a career ending injury. Maybe a limiting one, but not ending.

[catsnhorses]

Hi all,
Thanks for the feedback…decided to not mess around and take him in for a vet evaluation. Really difficult to x-ray a hip successfully, so we didn’t find any fractures from what we could see on the radiographs, but there wasn’t much to see. From what we did find the vet doesn’t seem to think he’s going to be a riding horse again, ever, which was a major shock to me, and really not want I wanted to hear about my 9 year old jumper. Other than traveling slightly crooked (not something I noticed yesterday, only noticeable in a straight line trotting away that he’s stepping out to the right), he really seemed okay, or like it would be a little bit of rehab, and maybe an ugly lump. We’re waiting on the results of a bone scan to be performed this week, and will know more, hoping it’s not a fracture, or anything else as horrible as the vet seems to think.
Thanks again for your thoughts, and if anybody has had like success stories, I would really love to hear them right now…

[Bouncingthetrot]

[QUOTE=catsnhorses;8188208]
Hi all,
Thanks for the feedback…decided to not mess around and take him in for a vet evaluation. Really difficult to x-ray a hip successfully, so we didn’t find any fractures from what we could see on the radiographs, but there wasn’t much to see. From what we did find the vet doesn’t seem to think he’s going to be a riding horse again, ever, which was a major shock to me, and really not want I wanted to hear about my 9 year old jumper. Other than traveling slightly crooked (not something I noticed yesterday, only noticeable in a straight line trotting away that he’s stepping out to the right), he really seemed okay, or like it would be a little bit of rehab, and maybe an ugly lump. We’re waiting on the results of a bone scan to be performed this week, and will know more, hoping it’s not a fracture, or anything else as horrible as the vet seems to think.
Thanks again for your thoughts, and if anybody has had like success stories, I would really love to hear them right now…[/QUOTE]

That seems like a drastic diagnosis for not finding much of anything. Of course the bone scan will provide more information. I would definitely get a second opinion if nothing else is found.

[jennycash]

I have a horse with a dropped hip. Fell his futurity year resulting in sacral tear and fracture.

If you are looking to purchase this horse I say run the other direction. If he is already yours, then you have a long road ahead of you. I have heard success stories about the horse being completely fine, but my personal experience is not the case. I’ve tried every supplement out there, injections, magna wave, acuscope, acupuncture, chiro, massage therapy. Anything that I heard “might work” I gave it a try. Turned him out for a year as well (which actually I got the most success). He would never take a lame step. I’ve gone to 5 different vets just the past few months, hoping for a different prognosis. All the same. He is sound for trail, but his barrel racing career is over. He is currently sitting in a pasture doing nothing. He was a expensive 5 figure horse and I have spent thousands trying to get him back. Unfortunately he is retired at 8 and will be just a pasture ornament from now on.

I really hope this is not the case for you. Lumbar/Sacral injuries are no joke. It makes it even worse because they don’t look wrong visibly (limp). My fingers are crossed for you. If you have any questions please feel free to shoot over a pm.

[BoyleHeightsKid]

[QUOTE=Bouncingthetrot;8188331]
That seems like a drastic diagnosis for not finding much of anything. Of course the bone scan will provide more information. I would definitely get a second opinion if nothing else is found.[/QUOTE]

I agree… The vet should wait for the results of the bone scan before declaring something that drastic. Meanwhile, I would be making an appointment with the chiro.

[findeight]

Better wait on the chiro until the bone scan comes back…unless you want to risk further damage and a painful experience for the horse. No good chiro woukd work on him anyway if there is a possible fracture or muscle tear and you are waiting on a bone scan or other imaging.

[ohmissbrittany]

Have you tried a chiro? I took mine to the vet for being NQR, he found stifle pain and injected. No Improvement, took her to the chiro, and she adjusted her pelvis- voila, no more cross cantering. They’re good at finding the source of issues. I’ve had chiros find ulcers, a negative palmar angle in an otherwise normal looking foot no one suspected… lots of random things.