Hi,

The first problem started last summer when my horse was showing signs of lameness. The vet found nothing so a back specialist had a look and found a lot of stiffness in the back. I spent 2 months in the summer working her up on the lunge and sorting out the stiffness to a good point, where she was easily rideable and quite fit.

At the worse possible time when I started University (the plan was for the equine college to loan her during term time and I could use her when I return during holiday) she went badly lame about a week before I left! The onsight vet checked her for marks, cuts, bruises and swelling but found very little so they took her out of classes and rested her. After a few check-ups and lame testing they found inconsistant results. She looked lame on the right hind but flexed lame on the left hind. It looked like she was having a problem in both back legs.

We sent her twice to the big animal vets where they tested her using xrays and did a few more tests, but found no sign of damage. They thought the problem lied in the Tendon sheet so they injected Hyalouronic acid and steriods into it. After the operation she rested for a month and was then turned out more or less permanantly, allowed to stretch and to build up muscle again. After another month or so the vet told me there'd been improvement but she was still lame.

She is still slightly lame, but we're now not sure if that's just a problem with her back from not using it! So we may have gone back to the old problem! She has also always had a slightly wonky gait anyway.

I am at University nearly 4 hours away from home so I am only around during the holidays, so I made the decision to leave her turned out on rest until the Easter holidays when I can go back and get her working again.

I get home in a week and I have 6 weeks to work her and get her moving again (if the vet agrees it's doable).

I was wondering what advice anyone here could give me on how quickly to bring her to fitness again, maybe suggestions of a 6 week training schedule and if anyone could suggest a way of me founding out what's wrong without sending her off to the expensive vets again!

Many thanks!

(Sorry for the long ramble)

Okay, when it comes to ailments of horses, I'm usually not the go-to person. (Cats, Dogs, Birds yes, Horses - Nope!) However the mention of a wonky gait reminded me of a problem a friend had with her Tennessee Walker last year. Unfortunately I don't remember all the details, names, etc... but it was an inherited nuerological condition (and incurable, in part, because it had gone on so long). She said the vet had to do specific neurologic tests to discover it. The only symptom I vaguely remember is the way the horse held her tail and the funny little kick out thing she did mid-stride. This horse was barely 2 and had not been riden, which I'm guessing is why it wasn't noticed sooner. It seems like she said this was something that was breed specific -- so it might not apply.

I'm hoping this is not the case with your horse, but has the vet checked for neurological conditions? Others may know what I am talking about and shed more light on the situation.

Again, I have to go with Cheryl.
Those wierd hard to pin point cases are usually not an actual "lameness" issue but something deeper. You say she had a workup-What bloodwork? I don't know what region your in, but here in the states undiagnosed period lameness with no injury always check for Lymes disease.
Also possibilities;Head trauma,wobblers syndrome,EPM[equine protozoal myeloencephalitis] EDM degenerative enceph.... EHV-1[Equine Herpes Virus,outbreaks current in US]West Nile-also current in US
Hate to bring such bad ideas but those are a few that aren't as scarce as people think.
I'd ask if they think it could be an obsolete thing, see what their reaction/input is. Its hard to say about work until you have a definate answer for the issues at hand. Hope it all works out.

Thanks guys. When I speak to the vet I'll get a few more details (it was so unfortunate I was at the other end of the country, and I had to spend so much time on the phone arranging things so I never really saw her recovery).

Thankfully her wonky gait has never been an issue before - she's competed cross-country and done things like pony club, show-jumping and a bit of dressage (though grudgingly!). So I don't think that's a big problem, plus she's only 13 and a native welsh section D so pretty hardy. I'll ask the vet for more details on blood work and see what she says. I only hope it's just the return of the back stiffness.

Thanks!

Does anyone know a good training regime I could use for 6 weeks if the vet deems her fit to start work again?

Didn't know if you are able to ride but;
For a horse coming back from long rest
week 1-Road work/walking, starting @ 30 minutes finish @ 1 1/2 hour week end.
week 2-Road work/walk-trot, holding more together with periods of strecthing.
week 3-road work, with 20 minutes flat schooling.
week 4-30 minutes road work, 30 minutes schooling.
week 5-30 min. road work, 3 days flat schooling, 2 days grid work,hack out
week 6-30-40 flat schooling, 10-20 jumping, hack out.

Of coarse if coming in after a short break you can move along quite a bit faster and by week 5-6 put in a short gallop or x-country school.