Whats wrong with my horse????

Question

i have a 3 year old QH filly and she was broken in just after turning two but for a while now she has been really uncomfortable and been bucking. she has trouble with her right lead and turning right in general.

we have hade vets and chiropracters out to see her and they cant seem to find whats wrong. im thinking it might be a joint problem or something to do with her hips because after rolling she has trouble getting up as though she cant push up with her back end.

i appreciate any suggestions =)

Answer 1

If the vets and chiropractors can't find anything, then maybe she just doesn't like going in that direction.  So, I would suggest that you bit her up turning in her bad direction for several hours a day for say a week...  Then lunge her in a round pen ONLY that direction for several days.  This is basically taking her back to basics in that bad direction and see where that takes you.  I'll betcha she'll be worlds better after that.

Answer 2

Get another vet out.

Horse medicine is a trial and error process.  If the vet treats for one thing and it doesn't help, you have to get them back out to try something else.  If your vet thinks it's in your head, get a different vet.  The best vets know that they can't see every problem every time, and they'll base their treatment on what the people who handle the horse every day are seeing.

Since the problem isn't just when she's ridden, I'm with you.  It's physical, and needs help.  It's probably in the hind end, but not necessarily on  the right.

If you can't get the vet again for whatever reason, I recommend bute, turnout, and no riding for a couple of months to see if the problem resolves.  (Bute is an anti-inflammatory pain killer, not a joint healer)

Answer 3

This may sound ABSOLUTELY ridiculous, but you may consider acupuncture. I know how it sounds but we had to do it on one of our registered cows that went down spraddle legged. It worked. I don't tell many people about it because who wants to admit the paid for acupuncture for livestock. But since then I have heard of a couple of cases where people have used it on horses.

It may sound crazy but if you love the horse and are running out of options, you may think about it.

Answer 4

you need a new vet.

Answer 5

I would get in touch with an Equine Body Worker. They may find underlying muscle issues. Some too deep for many people to detect. It worth a try! The signs are all associated with muscle injuries! Good Luck

Answer 6

Your horse sounds like my paint filly! she was put out of commission for barrel racing because of a swollen knee. now when i ride her for pleasure she has a problem turing to her right side because of the knee. you can go to your vets office and ask for joint healer ( its in a paste) called Bute. it works like a charm!     good luck!

Answer 7

I would suggest getting a second vet out to look at her.  If she was fine, then started bucking and acting out going to the right something is wrong.  If the second vet can't find anything, try another chiropractor.  Also try the acupuncture like the poster a couple of posts ahead of me suggested.  I used to work for a couple that had an acupuncturist come out once a month to work on their halter horses.  They swore by the results.  Once you get the problem found and fixed start slowly and make sure to build both sides equally, that way you should avoid this problem in the future.  Good luck.

Answer 8

Horses, like humans, are either right-sided or left-sided.  It sounds like she is just extremely left-sided.  Lounge (sp?) her at a walk, trot, then canter instead of riding for a few days, and concentrate on her right side.  This will make her lighter and more responsive as well as building up the muscles in her right side. When you do start riding again, work on her right side at a walk, then progress to a trot, and then to a canter.

Answer 9

Have the vets checked your filly for EPM? It can cause muscular and/or neurological problems. Also, X-rays of her spine, hips, and tailbone might be worth a try.

Answer 10

its does sound like a joint problem but the fact that the vet and chiropracters cant find anything is kinda wierd.

try stretching your horse before and after riding. you pick up the legs and pull them straight foreword and straight backwards. just make sure you dont pull them to the side at all.

you might also try warming up slower and really keep things relaxed. maybe look for things around your riding area that might be spooking her.

good luck!