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[RC] horse not backing or turning head well, and brain fried 'mama' - Elizabeth ChaseEvenin' folks, I would like a bit of input regarding my rescue TB's gait issues. Him: 15 year old gelding, 17.2 1/2 hh Performance History: No known track experience; most recently employed as an eventer for 8 to 10 years; currently barefoot. Daily training or competition. Pictures show him jumping hollow-backed. Recent health: 1) Dx blood positive for EPM though he was stabled 24/7 w/no paddock time. No CSF test done as he has actually improved since coming to the rescue last April. No ataxia; no asymetrical muscle atrophy. Able to cross both front and hind legs when going sideways. 2) Since leaving the rescue he has developed both rain rot, and scratches on left hind leg (white sock), which responded to zinc oxide application. 3) Seems to have chronic swelling left hind, coronet to fetlock. 4) Right hind seems a bit wobbly, same location. Am told this was his 'bad' leg on arrival to the rescue, but photos show him favoring the left. 5) Additional observations: Hypertrophied muscle at poll, possibly indicating a tendency to push against the bit. I've worked diligently with him on lowering his head and can palpate the difference it's made since I got him in mid-August. He does NOT like to try to retrieve a treat held between his front legs. Relatively strong muscle development along front of neck, chest, lower ribs abdoment, and lower haunches, possible indications of a hollow-backed, steeple-chase jumping style. Relatively undeveloped topline to his neck, VERY high withers with very obvious atrophy/underdevelopment directly below, and directly behind shoulders, I'd say 8 to 10 inches. No white hairs. Atrophy/underdevelopment continues backward to loin but narrowing in an elongated tear drop shape. Normal looking HQ, no side more prominent, normal looking tailhead, but not a lot of tail swishing normally. Flinches ears just a bit when tailhead manually manipulated. Has difficulty with neutral lateral flexion, or turning head side to side with or without hand support more than about 10 to 12 inches. Can not retrieve treat held by girth, about a foot out, regardless of height it is held at(to compare, my mare is able to pluck a small treat off my boot toe while I am mounted w/foot in stirrup, both independently and with direct rein). When asked to yield HQ, he does, but slowly.... seems like with either great mental or physical effort. He will go faster if allowed to move his forehand freely at the same time.... like he is spinning from the middle. Same thing yielding FQ, wants to move his HQ just as much. Ribcage seems stiff both directions. Biggest concern: When asked to back, his HQ seem to shudder a bit, and he has some problem picking up his feet and moving backwards. Seems willing to back, but it 'feels' like he is dropping his HQ a bit. Walks, trots, canters, and slow gallops in his pasture without missing a beat, unless it is so fine that neither I nor a couple of other folks with extensive experience can pick up. Feet kept trimmed, sole and frogs appear healthy. What I've done: I have (and have read) Equine Research's 'Lameness' book, I am a trauma nurse by trade, and I-searched until my brain hurts. What I have not done: More diagnostics. Easy to order, harder to pay for in the right-here, right-now time frame. I don't want to lead a potential diagnosis by saying what we think so far. I'm hoping that someone might have some thoughts/insight that hasn't occurred to us. Caleb would appreciate anything that might help improve his condition, nutrition, comfort, and ability to move about. Very appreciatively, Liz Minnesota ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsored Link Online degrees - find the right program to advance your career. Www.nextag.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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