Pedigree Query

Has anyone ever heard of this and what is prognosis. My friend has a gelding for sale that wants to be a hunter. He is a beautiful bay, app 16.2 or 16.3 with a white blaze. Beautiful mover and has been worked over fences for the last couple months. He has been in a barn where they are asking over 10.000 for him so he better pass the vet. Apparently this issue has come up. Anyone ever had anything like this? I have heard a chiropractor could help? Maybe injections? Thanks in advance, Claire

One of the most overlooked diagnoses, this can cause the most even-tempered seeming horse to turn into a wild rodeo-style bucking bronc if pressure hits just the wrong way, just the wrong time... horses can't talk so that is one of the ways they can best express their pain. Think of a compressed disc in your back, and then figure what that would feel like to a horse. I'm not a vet; I don't know long-term treatment, but massage therapy, possibly chiropractic treatment will help, as long as you understand the condition is chronic and so will be the treatment.

Ok Madelyn, in your opinion would you want to race this horse again. Or do you think it could have a career in the show ring with chiropractic care or is this an issue where he should just be a light riding horse? Wanting the best for him.....Thanks a bunch, I respect your opinions. Claire

It will be a high-maintenance horse as the spinal processes of two vertebrae are touching, or do touch, causing the violent outbreak (or some horses just stop in their tracks).

Massage, chiropractic and cranio-sacral technique might help it lead a show life, but then again they might not. I've never heard of one being "cured," but I don't know everything.

Maybe he doesn't have it and all will be well...

Thanks for the reply Warhorse..he does definitely have it which is really too bad.....very nice horse. I had thought about the chirpractic thing and as I read what you wrote I would have to agree.......could be a very high maintenance thing. And I am sure it would only get worse, he is only 5 years old........."sigh", poor guy. Thanks again, Claire

That's what I meant by chronic. And jumping would most likely eventually aggravate it. It may not hurt him right now, but it is a problem "waiting" to show up. But he would probably be fine for light riding for a really long time.... I just wouldn't push him, and no heavy riders.

Thank you Madelyn. The poor fellow, now I really wish I could find a nice loving home for him. I have a feeling he is going to end up back at the racetrack, either until someone claims him or until he can't go anymore. "sigh"

I realize this is an old post but what a wonderful subject. I almost didnt reply to it but figured (what if they already owned this Horse) or what if the day comes that they find there Horse has an injury of this nature. Chiropratic work on Horses is more prevalent every day and I have a book that is worth looking into and thought I would share it with you. (The well adjusted Horse) equine chiropractic methods you can do. By Dr. Daniel R. Kamen

There is a surgical option for this condition. Mary Syers

Please specify, Mary.

WarHorse,
Sorry, you're over my head. You need a good university quality orthopod. I know its been done at ISU when I was in vet school, but I didn't get procedure or prognosis. Not a procedure for a local vet, needs a specialist. Mary Syers

Well that does sound very interesting. There has been a few things happen with this horse since the last post. After what I saw hear and read on the internet I did not want to have anything to do with trying to sell him for the amount they wanted. So, he went back to the races, ran twice and guess what.....finished last, the poor guy. What is so sad is he is so sweet and just does not know how to say no even though he is so sore. Right now they have decided to he is done. There was talk of selling him to a riding school.......again, rather dangerous I think. I have someone who might take him as a lawn ornament, which is what he deserves, just to be loved and maybe go on a trail ride once in a while. I might try to contact Longrun here in Ontario to see if they might take him......

Here's the the web page to the Dr and the book I mentioned in the earlier post.

http://www.animalchiropractic.com/