My mare has started dragging both her back feet

Question

we saw her slip and fall in the mud, when she was being silly. she's 16.1 and 18 years old. she's a perfect weight for an old paddock horse and is up to date with tetanus and everything. I can't life her feet up because as i do it's like she can't stand and goes to lay down. we had the vet out and she said it's probably arthritis, so we got another vet out and she said just pulled muscles, but she literally dragging her back legs. she can still move them in a walking motion, but the point of her hoof drags in the dirt. and there is drag marks all over the paddock. i'm worried about her, any ideas on what it could be. the fact that it's both back legs and after she slipped, it's not like it's sudden onset arthritis she didn't have nay arthritis before this.

any ideas?

Answer 1

21 is sooooo not old girly. You would still bounce! 18 for a horse is getting older and she won't bounce back as fast as when she was 3.

Lots of rest. Not to much bute so she doesn't over do it. If there isn't an improvement in a week, get  another vet out. Only time will tell and if she is still moving around and eating, I'm sure she'll be fine with time.

Good Luck :)

Answer 2

I would venture a pinched nerve.

Don't you hate it when you get two different answers from two different vets??  Guess after two diagnosis'...I would be calling people for a reference to an equine chiropractor.

To Tennessee...I'm very sorry you had to put your horse down.  I can't even imagine the pain.  The horse looked incredible for a 30 year old.  Wonderful body weight and the condition of the horse showed great love and care for the horse.  I am so sorry you had to go through this.

Answer 3

Its probably a mix of both. You might want to add a little bute or something to her feed.

Answer 4

Since you've had two vets out, and neither thought it was serious, it probably isn't.  She's just given herself a BIG knock and needs a few days to feel better.

Since you're young, you may not appreciate just much a bruising fall - with no real damage, just the shock of impact - can affect those of us with a few more years on the chassis...  We don't bounce like we used to! :D  

My old mares drag their toes when they're feeling tired or lazy.  Then they sprint off like 2 year olds five minutes later.  Give her a few days, bute and paddock rest, and see how she does.

Good Luck with her.

Edit:  Wow, 21?  lol!  I wish I was 21.  I'm more than twice that.  When I hit 45 is when I got brittle...  at 18, your horse is more my age than yours.

Answer 5

she could have pinched some nerves in her spine.get a chiro out and have them check for a dislocated vertebrae.

Answer 6

well get vet and have them see what they can do...nobody on Y!A im sure can proplery diagnois your issue so have a vet give you some insight.

good luck!

Answer 7

I would check her back at the point of her hip.  If it is even on both legs, it is more likely something in the spine than the legs themselves.  She proabably put her back out.  18 isn't very old, so she shouldn't be in this bad of a condition.  Certainly not arthritis that severe.  I think she slipped a disk in her back.  Check her back all the way down to the root of her tail for ouchie spots.

Answer 8

this does sound like a pulled muscle, probably in her back quarters  that you should do is massage the area like her back and back legs (thats if she will let you) or even get a horse chiropractor to her.  She 18 years old if you dont do something she will might get arthritis or become lame.

I have a 5 y.o thoughrabred he had a fall in a race, and he had the same symptoms as your horse,  We had to get a horse chiropractor to him and massage him everyday, He was off the track for about 4months.

I hope your horse gets better.

it takes time but the outcome should be good

Answer 9

You can try Themaflex it's easy to get. It heats up to increases circulation to help heal sore legs then cools to relax them.

Answer 10

OH GOD I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS....i am not lying to you either! I had my horse put down today because he had athritis and drug both back legs.when he walked...there was drag marks from where his hooves drug on the ground.It eventually got so bad that I had to put him down today.heres a video of him....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bJvslpb-...

Answer 11

It really doesn't sound like arthritis to me either, sound like more spinal damage or nerve damage.

Horse Arthritis signs and symptoms

Although we often think of arthritis as a human affliction, it is also very common in horses and ends many racing and equestrian careers by affecting the weight bearing joints.

Horses over the age of 15 are especially prone to arthritis since cartilage begins to wear out faster at that age.

Older horses also are affected by loosened tendons and ligaments resulting in tears, joint instability and inflammation.

Horse arthritis is treatable and manageable if it is detected early enough. It is important to know the warning signs.

Some of the symptoms include

# Pain, stiffness and swelling around a joint that lasts longer than two weeks.

# Achy joints after activity.

# Stiffness after sleep or prolonged standing.

# Grating sound when the joint is used.

# Appearance of bumps or swellings, especially on the extremities

# Slight lameness or have an obvious limp after exercise

# Changes in performance such as a decline or changes in the horse's general attitude.

# Slight puffiness in lower-leg joints.

# Stiff, choppy gait which improves when he warms up.

# He may raise his head and hollow his back.

Do you have a video or photo of the horse dragging her back legs? Hard to intentify what the cause of the problem is.