I’m not sure. It could easily go into eventing, racing, or off course.
Racing.
Ah crap, I put it in off course.
Would the racing folks be able to comment on the health issues (kissing spine, etc etc), or do they typically move them along before the issue gets fully fleshed out?
No worries. It probably doesn’t matter too much, I only mentioned Racing so the racing peeps would see it.
Some racing folks would be able to - but not all. Who would really be a wealth of knowledge are the people involved in vetting / flipping these horses.
Yeah, but they’d never actually be honest, because then they’d have trouble moving some of them.
Just my 2c.
I’ve got one. My pony has been back sore for years. She’s fine on the lunge, a little sticky to the right but otherwise sound. I did spine xrays, injected her hocks, injected her stifles, did bodywork of all sorts (chiro, massage, bemer). Saddle fitted … which seems to help her at the walk but at the trot the original problems return. I’ve tried every bit, bridle, half pad on the market.
I acquired this pony KNOWING she had this issue. She’s my heart horse and it’s fine by me if she’s just a pet for the next however many years. But she gets fat on air so she kind of has to do SOMETHING lol. I justify the diagnostics by the fact that if I give up on it I am just going to buy a second horse and have to pay for that. But, there’s only so much more I can do.
@greywithchrome Given that you say she gets fat on air, is there any possibility that her issues are being exacerbated by metabolic factors (EMS)?
This has turned out to be a factor with my horse.
Another thing to consider-- a bit more of a longshot but a consideration anyway-- PSSM and/or neck issues.
Absolutely. I have never been able to get her thin enough to see if it helps 
Hoping to get an option to change her pasture soon but not sure.
I did actually test her for PSSM, when I read about it I was like omg this is it. It was negative. Neck issues is an interesting one but she has no problem going in a bungee or a pessoa system or anything like that. The issues only present themselves under saddle.
It’s a matter of changing what you feed them. Depending on their existing diet, simply taking calories away can exacerbate it.
Muscle biopsy test?
I am meticulous with her grain, supplementation and hay intake but she is on a lush pasture during the day (in a muzzle). I am just hoping to put her in a smaller pasture with a little less grass. And in the winter her field gets free choice alfalfa hay so I’d like to be able to ration that a bit lol.
Just the hair test through UC Davis for PSSM1.
If either of you are curious there is a thread on my page with a video of her and some other people’s suggestions!
That doesn’t rule out PSSM Type 2, unfortunately. That’s much harder to diagnose. There’s a hair test but it’s not peer reviewed and the only really well accepted way to test is through muscle biopsy. You could try a type 2 diet and just see what happens? If she’s a pony of mixed breeding she could very well be type 2.
He’s an absolutely beautiful pasture puff. But I’m partial to OTTBs. Thanks for being a wonderful “'til death do us part” owner.
Beautiful pictures of both of them. Quite a handsome pair!! Thanks for sharing.
