Hi all, sorry for the novel.
As some may know from my posts, I have a 10YO gelding that I bought basically off the track when he was 3. Due to school and life, he’s never been in consistent work. When he was going, he was a cute local hunter that would max out at 2’9” probably, but is game for just about anything and LOVES to plod around giving pony rides to kids. He also seems to appreciate a “job”, cause when he’s not busy working, he’s busy doing stunts in his paddock.
This horse hasn’t been sat on more than a few times in years; yet he’s consistently extremely backsore, tends to be cranky on the ground, is saddle sour/girthy, and is wonky behind. “Wonky” as in conformationally loose stifle ligaments, no locking though. The most recent lameness evaluation put him at a 1 or 2 off “up high behind”.
His feet have been a struggle, which has led to NPA all around but I’ve finally found a farrier that’s helping, X-rays confirm progress. I’m aware that bad feet can really wreck a horse, so I’ve been attacking that issue with everything I’ve got.
While chasing my issues with his feet, we also found extensive kissing spine - at least 6 areas of contact and mild remodeling under the saddle, and maybe another spot of narrowing. We also found some hock arthritis and a mild thickening of the suspensory in his front left (though I think I can identify a cause for this, he crashed through his paddock fence right before coming up lame on that leg).
So, despite doing nothing at all as far as riding, I have an all over lame horse. NPA, KS, mild arthritis, suspensory thickening, hoof bruises growing out (according to the farrier). We are making progress with the feet, as well as rehabbing the suspensory, but I’m on a budget and also starting to burn out. It’s just been so. much. And now I’m at a point where I either need to commit to chasing this horse’s issues as far as possible, or just retire him.
My personal goals would be to get back to local h/j shows and do the 2’6”-3’ and ultimately the adult eq, but I can’t afford two horses right now. This horse, if all things are fixed 100% and maintained, could do the 2’6”, MAYBE the modifieds. He’s not an Eq type and he’s small - but he could also dabble in dressage and trails which I do enjoy.
If I commit to chasing his issues to their conclusion, I’m doing it full send, maximum investment. I’m looking at months of rehab, Adequan/joint injections, diagnostics, custom fitted saddles, and pursuing bone shave surgery/shockwave/whatever else for the KS. Expensive, but one horse to board and can spread those costs. But - no guarantee it’ll work, or to what level he may come back if he does.
If I chuck him out and just keep him well fed and on his MSM/vit E and going to his farrier, I could save all that extra money I’d have spent on rehab for someday purchasing another horse. But that would mean doing nothing for the foreseeable future, while paying ~$600-$900/month for pasture board (if I can find it), minimal supps, and shoes. For another 20 years.
So, if you’ve stuck with me this far, I guess I’m just stuck. Burnt out, but also unwilling to wash my hands completely. I’m finally at a place in life I could do some lessons and small shows and go trail riding, but my horse appears to need a LOT to maybe possibly get there. I’m also unwilling to ride a hurting horse. Where do I go from here??
