PPE results in TWH

[TWH_Girl]

A horse that I have known and coveted at one point fell into my lap for sale. He’s 14, TWH gelding. He’s got the best personality, is super safe, lovely gaits and canter. I tend to be timid when trying out new horses but he made me feel at ease and off we went. This horse has been shown in a few breed shows (flatshod) and used for trails and field trials. Trainer loves him. Everyone agrees he’s perfect and what I need and he’s meant to he how he fell in my lap, blah blah blah…

Had PPE today. This was a two hour exam that was quite intense. Horse palpated fine, moved and lunged fine. He shows no signs of lameness. He did flex off on L hind fetlock. Vet (who is not my normal vet but from same clinic) said she was concerned about possible DSLD. He isn’t dropped in his fetlock it can look a bit like that when he’s walking. I’ve seen other Walkers do this and it can be a conformational issue. We did u/s both hind suspeneories and the left did show some thickness compared to right.
I’m obviously concerned and not sure how much stock to put into these findings. Part of me feel like you will always find something on a pre purchase if you look for it. Part of me knows I cannot manage 3 pasture puffs (i board) and I definitely want to be able to ride trails and pleasure rides.

The images were sent to my normal lameness vet and I’m awaiting her response.

I would appreciate any thoughts re these findings and helping to interpret them. DSLD appears to be a systematic issue and since this issue is limited not sure if that fits. She did not definitively dx that but mentioned it as possible now or in future.

I’m so confused.

[Janet]

I don’t have any personal experience, but I understand that DSLD is typically bilateral (both hind, or both front legs).

But there might be SOMETHING ELSE going on with that ligament.

[beowulf]

Is your vet familiar with TWHs or gaited horses?

I ask that because gaited horses present as neurologic at a superficial level - their gaits are deviations from traditional gaits. Sometimes this can make good vets experienced with sport horses and not gaited breeds waffle.

DSLD/EPSA can be bilateral but it can also present with one leg being more severe. It’s good you guys did an ultrasound - I think that is your answer more than visual representation. Some thickness in a 14 y/o horse is not an unusual finding. Did your vet notice an unusual fiber disruption pattern? Old scarring?

Generally I am ok with some hypermobility – especially in gaited breeds – but I prefer to only see it come out in trot and canter. If it is at rest it can be a red flag, and if it is while walking, consider it with care. It is not always indicative of DSLD/ESPA, but it can be and that counts for something.

DSLD/ESPA is present in TWHs.

Nobody here can tell you yes, get the horse, or no, pass on the horse. The answer has to come from your gut and your mind after you think a bit, discuss with your vet, and think some more.

[TWH_Girl]

This is helpful- thanks. She didn’t say anything about scaring. I don’t believe she is overly familiar with gaited breeds either.
Honestly it all felt like kind a blur and she kept talking and I just wanted to say “stop” because I can’t absorb any more.

[TWH_Girl]

Trainer’s text to me:

“ I don’t feel overly concerned aboutthis and that’s the honest to goodness truth. If I was, I would tell you to pass.”

I have a 13 yr old pasture puff and an almost 21 yr old requires a fair amount of maintenance. It’s hard to consider taking on any other lameness issues. But boy, is he a nice steady eddy fun mount.

[4horses]

It depends if you are willing to take the risk. All horses can develop DSLD as they age, even if they are sound as younger animals. It’s the reason we NEED a genetic test for this disease.

You can’t look at a young horse and say for certain it will or will not have issues. I have a gaited mare myself and sometimes she moves like she could have or get DSLD (she’s currently sound). Her fetlocks are normal/ upright at rest. Unless the disease is advanced, it’s difficult to see with any certainty. Add in the horse being gaited and it’s even more difficult to tell because these horses are bred to have a huge overstride and with that comes fetlock flexion. You could say fetlock flexion is desirable in gaited horses because it gives the rider a smooth ride.

Fetlocks can be more angled in a gaited horse as well. All this makes it very confusing/difficult to evaluate a gaited horse.

I would look closely at conformation as becoming straight through the hocks is a sign. I would look for puffy/enlarged fetlocks and lameness issues.
Any pictures of sire/dam if you can find any.

Good luck in your decision. It’s a tough one.

[TWH_Girl]

Fortunately- I do know his breeding! I contacted the owner of his late sire and he confirmed no DSLD issues with sire or dam. He doesn’t have the dam any longer and the sire has passed.

Horse was born on the farm I purchased my other two from. I know the lady who purchased him initially at 2 and she had him until age 5, then sold him to the families that currently owns him. Used to show with them but lost touch and now they’re into h/j and needing to rehome Scout. He seems worth the gamble to me.

[equinelibrium]

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I say get him! He’s come back into your life for a reason. As woo-woo as it sounds, I believe that some things are definitely Meant to Be when it comes to horse purchases.

Honestly, a single positive flexion on a 14 year old horse is pretty darn good. He sounds like the perfect guy for you. He has apparently remained sound doing more than you’d like to do with him. Of course, issues may arise in the future as he gets older, but that’s the case with any horse.

I’d wait to hear back from your normal vet, but the fact that your trainer sees no concerns is a big green flag.

[Bonnie2]

There’s a difference between DSLD and a suspensory injury. Don’t panic until your lameness vet has a look.

[candyappy]

@TWH_Girl

A horse that I have known and coveted at one point fell into my lap for sale. He’s 14, TWH gelding. He’s got the best personality, is super safe, lovely gaits and canter. I tend to be timid when trying out new horses but he made me feel at ease and off we went. This horse has been shown in a few breed shows (flatshod) and used for trails and field trials. Trainer loves him.

This and with your trainer’s reaction to the PPE results ( as long as you trust their judgment) would have me buying this horse with no reason to be afraid of another pasture puff.

He is sound and going well right now and I am guessing no lameness history.

He could have come back 100% clear and sound on the PPE and been lame after the first night at your place. That is horses.

[TWH_Girl]

I ultimately decided against this horse for several reasons…he’s 14 almost 15, there’s the suspensory thickening, but also- sore fetlock, early fatty pads, and incisors that are likely to have eroth. It was just too risky for me in the end and while i know anything can happen with horses, I’d like to start off with a good chance for long term future soundness especially with two on my payroll that are needy enough.
I went to see him again today and just couldn’t bring myself to write the check. Lots of tears and some 70s and 80s tunes and wine later, I know this was right for me. DH had wine poured when i got home.
The search continues…until then old man gets arthramid in his stifles so we can keep on keeping on.
Thanks to all for feedback!
Hugs,
Steph

[TWH_Girl]

Looks like I made good call- my lameness vet responded:

Hi,

Sorry I couldn’t get to this sooner, but I looked over Dr. X’s images and pre-purchase write up. I do agree that there are definite changes with the suspensory branches, particularly the left hind lateral suspensory branch. She noted mild drop in his hind fetlocks on examination as well. This change combined with the positive response to lower limb flexion, the ultrasound findings, and his breed is certainly concerning for degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis. This is unfortunately a progressive, uncurable disease that results in chronic lameness. I can’t tell you not to buy him, but I would be very concerned about how long he will be able to maintain soundness. Let me know if you have specific questions. I am on call this weekend so will be checking email regularly.