Giddyup05
08-15-2006, 11:21 AM
My 15 yr Arab/Saddlebred mare was diagnosed with OCD lesions (the vet has also referred to them as “cysts”) on her navicular bones a few years ago. Her lameness vet says it’s congenital although I’m sure it wasn’t helped by her former career as an A-rated saddleseat horse. 3 vets have now said that her long-term prognosis is not good. She has been in & out of NB shoes ever since I got her 5 yrs ago, seems like she most consistently does better in NB shoes with pour pads, but my farrier has tried a number of different things with her. We’ve tried wedged bar shoes with pads & equigel, some other wedged shoes & various combinations of pads. She doesn’t seem to be comfortable with anything over her heel other than the impression material. He most recently added an aluminum plate with sort of a Y cut into it to the NB/pour pad combo, in an effort to redistribute her weight from her heels. I’m not sure whether it has helped or not. She’s walking sound in the pasture but very inconsistent at the trot or carrying a rider.
Her usual symptoms are shortened stride, light in the front end (not landing with her full weight) & landing toe first. She is somewhat gaited & I think she gaits more when she’s hurting. I had been able to keep her rideable with bute, but that is now giving her ulcer symptoms. We’ve tried injecting her coffin joint a few times, no benefit. A few months ago we tried injecting her through her heels – that helped tremendously for about 2-1/2 weeks. Then she went grade 2 lame on her LF – still landing solid & flat on her feet but head bobbing at a trot. Then the lameness moved from the LF to the RF. I probably should have her heels injected again but it was expensive for only 2 weeks benefit…
She has been somewhat rideable without bute with the Y-plates but is sore the next day – that’s a new one. My trusted farrier just moved away so I was referred to another who also uses NB – haven’t been able to get hold of him yet <sigh>. It’s tough because I know that she does better when she’s worked consistently but I don’t want to bute her anymore. BTW, I should mention that she is out 24/7 unless the weather is real bad. I’m looking for suggestions/ideas/comments on her condition. She is such a lovely horse, well-trained, so willing, just a pleasure to ride – I hate to give up on her at her “young” age.
I saw a post that mentioned a Magic Cushion with capasian in it – wondered if that might help? My trainer wants me to try magnet gel pads under her shoes – I feel like I’m running out of options & it’s breaking my heart.
Her usual symptoms are shortened stride, light in the front end (not landing with her full weight) & landing toe first. She is somewhat gaited & I think she gaits more when she’s hurting. I had been able to keep her rideable with bute, but that is now giving her ulcer symptoms. We’ve tried injecting her coffin joint a few times, no benefit. A few months ago we tried injecting her through her heels – that helped tremendously for about 2-1/2 weeks. Then she went grade 2 lame on her LF – still landing solid & flat on her feet but head bobbing at a trot. Then the lameness moved from the LF to the RF. I probably should have her heels injected again but it was expensive for only 2 weeks benefit…
She has been somewhat rideable without bute with the Y-plates but is sore the next day – that’s a new one. My trusted farrier just moved away so I was referred to another who also uses NB – haven’t been able to get hold of him yet <sigh>. It’s tough because I know that she does better when she’s worked consistently but I don’t want to bute her anymore. BTW, I should mention that she is out 24/7 unless the weather is real bad. I’m looking for suggestions/ideas/comments on her condition. She is such a lovely horse, well-trained, so willing, just a pleasure to ride – I hate to give up on her at her “young” age.
I saw a post that mentioned a Magic Cushion with capasian in it – wondered if that might help? My trainer wants me to try magnet gel pads under her shoes – I feel like I’m running out of options & it’s breaking my heart.