Bad News

[Kimberly West]

:( A few weeks ago I received a 14 year old TB mare, ex-racehorse. She'd had no vet care for the past several years, but was shod periodically (don't know how to describe it, except to say that she had flat shoes with long steep toes). She had a long history of sensitivity to her RH foot, which had been written off as a "behavioral issue," and was never worked up or x-rayed. :mad: She was trail ridden occasionally. I took her to the UC Davis Vet Teaching Hospital for a lameness exam yesterday and here's what they said. "Grade 4/5 lame - right hind pastern region firm and diffusely thickened. Radiographs show severe bony proliferative changes (arthritis and severe degenerative change) to the coffin joint and navicular bone, likely secondary to previous trauma (possible navicular bone fracture). Due to the severity of the chronic bony changes in her RH foot, it is impossible to ID the exact nature of her initial injury {although I recall something about her coming off the track after 8 races due to an injury}. Based on the severity of the x-rays, it is very likely that the deep digital flexor tendon, impar ligament, and navicular suspensory ligament are also damaged. Because of the severe nature of her injuries and secondary degenerative changes, prognosis for long term riding soundness is unfavorable." The on-duty farrier (a saint) reviewed the x-rays with the vet and me, and the RH foot was shod with a bar shoe and a rubber wedge pad, the breakover point was set back, and all 4 toes were rolled. The vet said a steroid injection might help, but we couldn't do it yesterday because my horse had to be sedated 4 times just to get through 2 sets of x-rays and shoeing. In your experience, have steroid injections helped? I've read all of the postings on navicular problems - am I one of those owner who's deluding myself into thinking I'm going to give her a "happy retirement?" She doesn't appear miserable, except when you're putzing with that foot. The vet said light riding at a walk might be OK in several weeks, but no trails, etc. I spend time with her every day, we hang out in the pasture together, she gets lots of attention (and carrots!) and I would be OK if I was told she could never be ridden. I guess I'm just venting a bit - it was a very long day (and night) and I am devastated. Also, should I have radiographs with me when she is shod next? Can you even GET copies of them? Sorry so many questions - the books I've got just don't get detailed enough. Thanks so much.

Kimberly

[Donnie Walker]

Kimberly - sorry to hear about your misfortune. You've done your homework on this one and are to be commended for your concern. Copies of the radiographs should be available for you unless prohibited by law within your state, which I doubt. If they are digital, then a disc can be made for you.
Every farrier prefers to view radiographs and study the diagnosis rendered by the attending vet. I have no personal experience with steroid injections but I have alot of experience with 20% systemic glucosamine, administered either IV or IM, in 10cc increments every 10 days. All my roping horses, and my wife's barrel horses are treated this way, at a cost of $30.00 per horse, per month. One suffers from navicular problems and another from ringbone. Prior to this treatment program neither was stable, now, they will kick your donkey. I have many clients on this protocol. It is a great aid to joint problems, as well as a preventive program to DJD. I became aware of this through contact with a college level professor/researcher, in the large animal clinic at a major university. I really noticed its effectiveness when administered to a 28 y/o retired rope horse that was suffering from everything you could possibly imagine. To further your quest for knowledge, check out the web sites for:
Dr. Ric Redden (www.nanric.com), and,
Dr. Stephen O'Grady (www.equipodiatry.com)
They are veterinarian/farriers specializing in equine foot disorders and have alot of great material posted for view. Good luck

[calshoer]

If you got Bill Merfy to shoe her at the UC farrier shop you did get someone very,very good.
Unfortunately with pathology that severe she will likely be a "pasture ornament" in happy retirement made more comfortable by the shoeing. I would never ask a horse with that much bone and conectie tissue damage to do any type of work.
I do a nine year old appy mare that sounds very similar, serious and complicated bone and tendon changes in a hind pastern. Huge navicular spurs sticking up into the deep flexor tendon, complicated by serious ringbone in the same pastern. She will never be ridden, but we have been able to get her a lot more comfortable with crative shoeing. I made a 'full roller motion' type package, probably very similar to what was put on your horse. It is the same principle as a "ringbone"shoe. The idea is to create a sort of shallow ball on the bottom of the foot that allows the foot to roll over in any direction without having to bend the affected joints.
The mare I do was unable to even walk normally when barefoot, but the added roll in very direction afforded by the shoeing package has made her so much more comfortable she can run in the field with her buddies and the owner says she jumps ditches.
One thing that will help when you hve to shoe her ....when they have that much pastern thickening and especially if it is due to bone changes, it is exremely hard if not imposible for the joint to flex and makes it hard on both the horse and farrier. Proper sedation by the vet for shoeing is a tremendous help to get the job done.

[Kimberly West]

Thank you both for your responses.

I did get Bill Merfy at UCD, and he earned his money that day. He did a great job under difficult cir***stances. The poor girl was huffing so much she bled from her nose. I agree that sedation will probably also be necessary for future shoeing, although in her defense she was pretty good all day until she had to be in a day stall next to a llama. She really worked herself into a lather, and then had to go straight to shoeing. She wasn't ever aggressive- - just terrified and pulled back a lot on the hind legs. Plus she urinated what seemed like about 10 gallons in the shop, which helped didn't help Bill much! I am going to get copies of her x-rays and try to have her shod at home next time, and go from there. If anyone knows a good mobile farrier in the Davis area who is willing/able to handle this, please let me know.

I have been giving her a store-bought glucosamine supplement for a few weeks, but I will ask the vet about the systemic program that's working for you, Donnie. I'll let you know if she ends up "kicking donkeys!"

Thanks -

Kimberly