My vet uses PRP for SI injections for the volume reason
It sounds like you have a good program going for your young horse.
Generally speaking, all of my young horses have gotten regular chiropractic care, so I’ve always had another set of hands on. So i would tell the chiro something to the effect of “he avoids the right rein.” she could then tell me if she noticed anything on him that would contribute to that. Often she could/can. So that would help me sort out if it’s a training issue or physical. I’m one of those people that has all my horses “gone over” by a sports medicine vet 2-3 times per year. So the same young horse would get longed, flexed and jogged for a vet to also give me another set of hands. Also this helps give the vet a baseline (if they didn’t PPE this horse) for any future concerns. The results of this exam can help me decide to press through if say the horse is having issues with one direction more than another or address something underlying.
I always found more chiropractic “things” than lamenesses, because they are developing and using their bodies in new ways. Soreness is part of developing strength unfortunately. Hopefully that makes sense.
I will add that I am pretty darn good at feeling when a horse is NQR before it’s a major “thing,” but having another set of hands is invaluable.
Checking the saddle is a great starting point and a smart way to go. You will likely need to tweak the fit as you develop this horse, because they change shape so much as they get stronger and move up the levels.
I think with every developing young horse there are going to be some times of questioning the work on the part of the horse when it is physically asked to do more work and expend more effort. Then the rider/trainer must make the call if they are over facing the horse, if the discomfort is actual pain, or if the horse just needs more fitness and gradual tone and strength training. If there is a change in behavior it is always good to have a vet do an exam to check pressure points etc and then maybe a chiropractic treatment if indicated. I also like to watch my young horses go on the longe line without tack each way for a couple mins at all gaits at least biweekly to get a feel for how they feel and are moving without the interference of a rider and tack. This gives a nice baseline as well as information as to a change that might occur with tack and rider. It is our job to gather as much information as we can from the animal to rule out real pain with significant behavioral changes. That being said, some freshness/bucking/playing/trying to go out the gate/avoid a jump etc are not always pain. The learning curve for each horse is different and they all process new jobs differently. Know your animal, his history and make the best most educated guess you can, including veterinary input.
When in doubt, take him in for a lameness exam and have a vet work him over.
I’m a big fan of preventative vet care. Quite a few years ago, when I was bringing my 4-year-old along on the barrels, I took him for his first lameness eval just because. And shockingly, vet found a problem that we ended up catching EARLY! He had a very small tear in a tendon in his front right foot, that had not been bothering him at all for riding or training, but made itself obvious on the lameness exam. It would have obviously gotten worse and THEN he would have had performance issues, so I am very glad we caught it so early and got him rested and got it resolved.
He has had a lot of changes in his young life. I would certainly look into vet issues, but would also consider that maybe he needs a bit of a break mentally. Perhaps spending some time hacking with fewer demands so that he can relax and gain confidence.
Try rising 11. My horse turned a corner at 10.5…. Now, at 12, he has discovered toys so it’s back to the kindy
He’s a never raced OTTB (a noTTB?) and his nickname is baby brain.
Here’s a related question for you, because I’m struggling with my horse and want to whine a little.
My horse injured his stifle last year and then foundered with rotation twice in the fall. After a full year of rehab, he is sound under saddle and on the lunge line.
I recently (within a few weeks) moved him to a new barn and he went from PERFECT in our first ride, to explosive with energy in our second ride, to “I refuse to move five steps without kicking out / throwing a small buck”. I have him on ulcer treatment (nexium) because I suspect part of it is stomach pain, and he has his first training ride today, but if this continues, I don’t even know what to investigate other than scoping. Could anything else cause him to physically degrade that quickly, or does this seem like a case where he needs more time to adjust to the new environment, ulcer treatment, and a couple good “come to jesus” rides? I don’t think he’s been happy to find that he’s no longer retired, because he did essentially no ridden work for about 10 months in recovery.
I’m not who you were responding to, but I’ll chime in:
It’s probably an unhelpful combination of all the above.
Did his farrier change? His turnout arrangement (besides obviously a new location)? His feed?
Was he going well under saddle before the move, or did you also add a rider at this time? If you did, I’d assume saddle fit first thing. You can often get away with one ride or so before the horse realizes that it hurts. Sometimes they also do a number on the SI while rehabbing, and rider weight can really bring back issues screaming to the forefront.
If he was generally cooperative before the injury (aka this is totally new behavior for him) I’d assume something is ouchy. If he had some natural snark in him previously, I’d check all your ouch boxes and then get your trainer on board to see what happens.
Good luck!
Conveniently timed update from the trainer: he was perfect for her today!
Living situation is similar, same farrier, had the same hay for about 10 days but has transitioned to the new stuff, updated his supplement quantity to balance the new hay but didn’t add or remove any ingredients (just adjusted qty), was riding him before the move and he was forward and willing - all the same tack, and I rode him just a couple days before we moved without any issues or signs of discomfort so I was totally baffled.
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me! And I can live with that or maybe the slow feed hay net and extra ulcer meds did the trick. Who knows. I’m just glad he was well behaved today!
That’s awesome! Rider error is certainly the easiest thing to fix
UPDATE: Vet came out for routine visit and asked about how he was going under saddle while palpating. Vet noticed hock soreness, and I said that he’s been explosive after jumps or after a flying lead change (and he’s been sticky picking up the left lead but that honestly might be a me problem since to perfect his right lead, I had to over-cue, and now I’m a bit wonky myself). I’m thinking it has to do with the weight he’s put on and maybe some growth. Baby horse is going to get some time off and a reduction in workload for a little while.
Does anyone have any experience with the Back on Track/SmartPak hock wraps? I’d love to give him some relief if I could without turning to an NSAID.
I have experience with the BOT hock wraps and find them entirely useless.
YMMV.
Thank you! The good AND the bad experiences are what I’m looking for. Placebo effect is a real thing!!
The problem is the timing. You’ve got to leave them on for 4+ hours to see any effect at all, and with that high range motion joint they shift and the horses hate them because they bind.
I’d use a liniment if you’re looking for topical pain relief.
Thank you! I definitely don’t want to leave them on too long (I’ve seen the rubs people have said their horses got), and I was under the impression that 2ish hours was fine.
I think I’ll go topical while he’s resting and at the end of rides just to help him feel better.