Posted by Melissa on October 15, 2003 at 11:08:00:
Im hoping to get some insight here...My 17 yo Hanoverian/Thoroughbred mare suddenly came up lame after my last class at a horse show two months ago...Wouldnt put full weight on the front left foot. (I do the hunters with her). THe footing was a bit mucky that day as it had rained prior to my classes. After 4 days on 2grams of bute..she showed great improvement. Blacksmith came out, put her in pads with packing of felt and turpentine and she did not improve. Then changed her over to clear pads with less packing at the next shoeing with still no improvement. Vet came out..blocked her and she didnt go 100% with the PDN block in the foot. He injected both her coffin joints and said she would be the best shed be in 10days..well..I saw no change at all. Gave her bute for 1 more week...and put her back in her regular plain steel shoes which is what she went best in before all this started. She came off the bute and was funky again but only in the corners...on the long side she doesnt feel to bad. We ride in a sand ring with screenings. She had x-rays 3 years ago that the vet said didnt look bad at all. Im just so frustrated. Ive finally decided to just let her rest with hand walking and paddock turnout on grass only. (Shes not a feisty mare..just goes out and eats her grass :) ) I have her on Aspirin and Isoxuprine 3xper week and now have started her on B-L Solution today. I have never tried this stuff and am interested as to how it works. Does this sound like an okay route to go? I feel that sometimes doing the most simple things ends up being the right thing. This same thing happened to her 5 years ago when she was on circuit. She had a long time off and came back sound again. She has been sound the past year in just a plain steel shoe. My blacksmith agrees with me too about just letting her chill out for awhile. He feels that she has more of a soft tissue torque. ANy advice would be greatly appreciated! Sorry this was so long! Thanks
Melissa :)