Poisonous dandy lions effected....(picture)?

Question

okay, so when i bought my horse i didn't quite realize this but now it is starting to show.she was from north carolina and got into poisonous dandy lions and they effected her gaskin muscle so she a shorter stride (nothing too noticable) but i don't know if this looks normal in her front legs? also the gaskin muscle was in the back so, does it go threw all legs because her back leg is the short strided one?she is the mother not the baby

(pic)http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj276/jasminex33333/?action=view&current=aaa.jpg

Answer 1

I have never heard of such a thing.

Answer 2

Hi there,

I looked at your photo, but it is impossible for me to tell by it whether there is anything wrong with your mare's front legs, or not.  A photo that had no shadows would help, also I'd want to see a photo from both sides and then a front view as one picture can be very decieving.

Anyhow, lets get to your questions.  First, where did you hear about poisonous dandilions and the fact they can effect gaskin muscles?  Dandilions are totally edible.  In fact, they were brought to North America from Europe because people ate them as a vegetable.  Horses enjoy dandilions and will eat them quite happily with no noticable effect.  Stems, flowers, none are harmful, even later in the year.  If you were to look at the ingredients in many herbal horse products you would proabably be surprised to see that dried dandilions are very common in them!   I think the only risk you would have is - having your horse eat dandilions that were sprayed with a chemical to kill them.

So I think you can rule out the idea that your mare's short stride is caused by eating dandilions.  If she did eat something that had been recently treated with chemicals, you need to contact your vet for information on the signs and symptoms, and what you can do to help.

Next, there are many, many things that can cause your horse to move short strided.  I have a 1200 page book on horse lameness, and it would take that many pages to describe the possible things - they can range from hoof problems, leg problems, shoulder problems, back problems, saddle fit problems, neurological problems (brain or spinal cord) etc.  I guess the first thing I'd want to know is, does your mare show this problem all the time?  Does it occur when she is lunged or only when riden? (That would tell me if saddle fit is an issue)  Does it happen at a walk, trot and/or canter?  Can she pick up both leads?  Is it worse on hard ground or soft ground or does it make a difference?  Also, how well are her feet done?  Does she have any hints of founder or navicular?  

Then I would have a good farrier come and do your horse.  I would probably give her some time off and start her on Glucosamine or another oral suppliment for joint problems.  If the problem was still there a month later I would bite the bullet and pay the money to have a good equine vet to a soundness exam.  Then, and only then, will you know what you're dealing with, and what, if anything, you can do to improve the problem.  You may also want to consider chiropractic work, it can make a big difference.  Good luck with your horse, I hope she ends up sound.