Episode 6 where the vet straightens me out on a number of things
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 4:36 pm
Recheck today.
A. LF lameness is improved over two months ago but is still there intermittently on a circle. He graded it 1.5 (original a 2 when going clockwise). Here is the scale... The AAEP guidelines explain the grading system this way:
0: Lameness not perceptible under any circumstances.
1: Lameness is difficult to observe and is not consistently apparent, regardless of circumstances (e.g. under saddle, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.).
2: Lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when trotting in a straight line but consistently apparent under certain circumstances (e.g. weight-carrying, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.).
3: Lameness is consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances.
4: Lameness is obvious at a walk.
5: Lameness produces minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest or a complete inability to move.
B. Vet does not think the underrun heel is related to removing the hind shoes despite the correlation. He thinks it is due to a shoeing/trimming change which might come as some surprise to my farrier if he didn't change anything. We will see.
C. My horse has (on the LF) high ringbone and low ringbone, the latter of which is the OA of the coffin joint. He thinks the lameness is due to a flare of the low ringbone.
D. I am 90% sure he said it is much more usual for the clubfoot to have issues as opposed to the low foot as in my horse.
E. I asked if this level of pathology was due to him having a clubfoot in work over the years. He said no... there is nothing about my horse's case that is unusual or unexpected in a 20 y.o. in work.
F. I showed him the poly shoes and he said they would work and can be applied now.
G. He injected the coffin joint. The joint fluid was very watery, not viscous. I don't think the HA will do anything but the cortisone will calm things down at least for a while. This is no long term solution.
H. He will be rested for 2 weeks then I can ride at walk for two weeks and then we see where we are. All in, that will be 3 months and change since this lameness presented.
I. I have decided that if he cannot recover from this lameness after the next month that I will retire him and get a second horse. I don't feel there is any reason to do more if he isn't sound at that point.
A. LF lameness is improved over two months ago but is still there intermittently on a circle. He graded it 1.5 (original a 2 when going clockwise). Here is the scale... The AAEP guidelines explain the grading system this way:
0: Lameness not perceptible under any circumstances.
1: Lameness is difficult to observe and is not consistently apparent, regardless of circumstances (e.g. under saddle, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.).
2: Lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when trotting in a straight line but consistently apparent under certain circumstances (e.g. weight-carrying, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.).
3: Lameness is consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances.
4: Lameness is obvious at a walk.
5: Lameness produces minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest or a complete inability to move.
B. Vet does not think the underrun heel is related to removing the hind shoes despite the correlation. He thinks it is due to a shoeing/trimming change which might come as some surprise to my farrier if he didn't change anything. We will see.
C. My horse has (on the LF) high ringbone and low ringbone, the latter of which is the OA of the coffin joint. He thinks the lameness is due to a flare of the low ringbone.
D. I am 90% sure he said it is much more usual for the clubfoot to have issues as opposed to the low foot as in my horse.
E. I asked if this level of pathology was due to him having a clubfoot in work over the years. He said no... there is nothing about my horse's case that is unusual or unexpected in a 20 y.o. in work.
F. I showed him the poly shoes and he said they would work and can be applied now.
G. He injected the coffin joint. The joint fluid was very watery, not viscous. I don't think the HA will do anything but the cortisone will calm things down at least for a while. This is no long term solution.
H. He will be rested for 2 weeks then I can ride at walk for two weeks and then we see where we are. All in, that will be 3 months and change since this lameness presented.
I. I have decided that if he cannot recover from this lameness after the next month that I will retire him and get a second horse. I don't feel there is any reason to do more if he isn't sound at that point.