SI injection, if only someone had told me this five years ago, update post 102

[Equilibrium]

Ok so after a really thorough vet exam it was determined at this time to not inject the back. Though we are going to revisit when my mare gets back into full work. It’s great because the new trainer I picked for Abba already uses David so that’s a plus.

More to the point, we again are addressing the feet. Her hocks and stifles are fine via X-rays by the way. At any rate it’s just not enough to say she has under run heels, it’s the way the tubules grow. This mare has not shown any lameness and I’m just trying to be as proactive as I can before we get to the lameness stage. Luckily vet and farrier are quite happy to work on this together. There are many available ways we can go and changing that growth is virtually impossible, but we can do things. One thing that has improved is her sole depth and quality from work that’s already been done, now it’s time to go another level.

At any rate that is not the purpose of this thread. Just that my way of thinking was not correct although like I said, we will revisit the issue once full work starts again. And really I don’t think any of it will be beneficial until we start further hoof treatments.

So basically I will have to report back.

Terri

[Equilibrium]

Oh and for any hoof experts reading this. I may not have explained things propery because I am only learning the full extent of everything involving the hoof. So please don’t hammer me too hard. I dont want this turning into one of those threads.

Terri

[ShaSamour]

This is very timely. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with my new horse. I got him mid-June, and up until about three weeks ago, he was very willing to use his hind end and come underneath himself, rounding his back. In the last few weeks, he’s been more and more reluctant to use his hind end, doesn’t want to bend (to the right esp.), is occasionally missing changes (on a horse that auto-swaps), and is standing parked out when left to his own devices. He’s also jumping very ugly if the spot is a bit tight (fine from a medium-long spot), and he’s getting really grumpy on the flat.

I was thinking saddle fit, so now I’m the proud owner of a County Innovation, with the fitter coming tomorrow to adjust the flocking. But I’m thinking something else is going on. He doesn’t palpate as sore along his spine. But the reluctance to use his hind end and parking out are really bugging me…

Have any of your horses done the parking-out thing?

[lorilu]

I didn’t see any parking out, but if I were you, I’d have an equine chiro/maybe accupunturist look at him. And that’s probably much cheaper than a new saddle!

My filly is so much better after two weeks! Using her haunches much better,a nd the teethgrinding had just about gone away (except when asked to do something she thinks is too hard). Chiro was out visiting ysterday, and looked her over - she shows much more movement in the SI area, and much less of the stiffness in her “lower back” region.
Very happy with results.

(Now if there was only an injection for “alpha mare syndrome”:winkgrin:

[Iride]

Has anyone had an SI injected without ultrasound assisted? just curious and how were the results, if so.

[dwblover]

Well I am reporting in after exactly two weeks from getting my gelding’s SI injected. I have a new horse! We have a canter that is never in danger of gaining a fourth beat, he is collecting with ease and practically bouncing off the arena floor, and will stand square on both back hooves for the first time ever. He is much, much happier and so am I. Another weird thing I noticed is that this gelding NEVER would let his sheath drop. I’ve owned him for three years and I have never seen him drop his sheath even while hanging out in the sun. Now he drops it all the time. I’m wondering if he kept it tucked up tight due to pain. He used to stand with a camped under look, now his back legs are much further behind him at rest. My vet does not use ultrasound, but has done tons of SI injections and is the only vet that NC State told me to use for the injections. I am thrilled to have my horse back!!

[Iride]

dwblover, that is so great. Congrats
I’ve heard of another vet who injects SI’s without guided ultrasound, apparently he does tons of them and is one of the best. Guess it all depends on the vet/experience/horse. In any case, enjoy.

What kind of work or rest did your vet prescribe after the injection?

Did he mention if or when this treatment is ever repeated?

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=dwblover;5800321]
Well I am reporting in after exactly two weeks from getting my gelding’s SI injected. I have a new horse! We have a canter that is never in danger of gaining a fourth beat, he is collecting with ease and practically bouncing off the arena floor, and will stand square on both back hooves for the first time ever. He is much, much happier and so am I. Another weird thing I noticed is that this gelding NEVER would let his sheath drop. I’ve owned him for three years and I have never seen him drop his sheath even while hanging out in the sun. Now he drops it all the time. I’m wondering if he kept it tucked up tight due to pain. He used to stand with a camped under look, now his back legs are much further behind him at rest. My vet does not use ultrasound, but has done tons of SI injections and is the only vet that NC State told me to use for the injections. I am thrilled to have my horse back!![/QUOTE]

We didn’t use ultrasound either…and both horses turned out fine. You’ll have to PM and tell me who did yours, I’m just curious.

Congrats!

[HollBear]

my guy is getting done in 2 weeks, can’t wait. Vet thinks it will be his icing on the cake:)
Thanks for keeping this discussion going. It has been very interesting.

[HollBear]

Another thought…for those of you that have done the SI injections already, have you also used any of the protein supplements to help build a topline?

I do believe we work my guy correctly and he is getting there. The SI injection should be the final bit of help. But I’m curious about the addition of some of the “top line” builders. There is one that looks interesting by Progressive Feed.

[kgro632]

It’s been exactly one week since my horses SI was injected.

I thought I would bring him down and trot him in the round pen to see how he was doing.

I’m not seeing that much of a difference, he still dropped out on the right hind tracking right once…

I know they say it takes 2 weeks to see full results.

How were your horses at one week?

I haven’t been on him, he’s just been turned out.

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=HollBear;5800712]
Another thought…for those of you that have done the SI injections already, have you also used any of the protein supplements to help build a topline?

I do believe we work my guy correctly and he is getting there. The SI injection should be the final bit of help. But I’m curious about the addition of some of the “top line” builders. There is one that looks interesting by Progressive Feed.[/QUOTE]

I’m not a big believer in supplements. I do feed cavalor feed, omega horseshine, alfalfa cubes and beet pulp

[dwblover]

I actually did not see or feel any improvement at first. My guy stayed in for 24 hours, then back out to the pasture. I rode him Day 6 post injection and he felt just as awful in the canter as ever. Day 7 was not any better. Day 8 I felt a glimmer of hope and it got better every day after until Day 14 when my horse was 100% sound and happy. His canter is better than I could have hoped for. I do think it is important to work them during that second week so the drugs can diffuse around the area.

As for the topline, I’m actually quite certain it will improve on its own after the SI injections since I can SO feel my horse’s back rounding up underneath me now. He could not use himself properly before which is why his neck was very muscular but never his back. I hope this will change now. My vet says he would recommend doing one more injection in either 6 months to 1 year. After that he said the proper muscling the horse will gain from being out of pain will stablilize the joint and I should not have to repeat them at all.

[Iride]

I’ve used Purina Amplify to build muscle and weight, fantastic product (even while I don’t feed any other Purina feeds lol!)

I also like good ol Calf Manna, showing my age here…

[Kynesha]

Can someone please PM me the SI exercises?

Thank you!

[Scaramouch]

@dwblover;5802528

I actually did not see or feel any improvement at first. My guy stayed in for 24 hours, then back out to the pasture. I rode him Day 6 post injection and he felt just as awful in the canter as ever. Day 7 was not any better. Day 8 I felt a glimmer of hope and it got better every day after until Day 14 when my horse was 100% sound and happy. His canter is better than I could have hoped for. I do think it is important to work them during that second week so the drugs can diffuse around the area.

So there is hope? :lol: Today was Day 7 post-injection for my beast. Yesterday was the first day I got back on and I have seen no improvement whatever - he’s still swapping behind under saddle as well as on the longe. Bah. I guess I’ll give it another week before looking for other ideas.

[Mare_mom]

I am into week 2 after injections. I gave him several days off (pasture turn out at night) and when I got on him at day 5 he felt weak behind so I got off and lunged him to see how he was. Only very very slight improvement and pretty crazy taking off in full gallop. Very lame and short after his temper tantrum. Couldn’t even get the horse to trot after that. Called vet - he said give him another week off, it may take upto 2 weeks to see any improvement.

[HollBear]

Yikes, not what I was hoping to read.
My guy got done today. Now he wasn’t extreme (as I was told). Just not quite right on the one direction at the canter. And, he just isn’t giving us a topline and I do believe we are working him correctly.

Keep the updates coming!

[kgro632]

I had my horse injected 2 weeks ago, this past Friday.(August 19)

I left him out for a week, rode him exactly a week later. Really no noticable improvement. Freaked out! BUT it does take a full two weeks to see total improvement.

The first ride back was awful. But every ride has improved since then!!!

Give it time!!!

I’m very happy with the difference so far. I expect to see even more improvement as his fitness level improves.

[lorilu]

It’s been about three or so weeks. Evie had a follow up visit from the acupuncture vet at about 1 week. She is MUCH improved in so many ways. Raising her back, taking contact, the “bounce” is back in the trot, and when I do the “butt tuck” stretch after riding, she REALLY tucks under!

It wasn’t better right away, tho - I think she was expecting discomfort and had to be convinced that it would not hurt any more.

Another request for the exercises!

L