Shaky knees, has become bow legged

[Caterina]

I'll do my best to make this as short as possible with all the important info. Approx 18 yr old mare, had arthritis of the hocks 2 years ago, joints have now fused. Has recently been diagnosed with cushings disease, large pot belly due to the cushings, is currently retired. Over the past few months I have noticed her become shaky on one leg, then both, her knees shake, almost as if she wont lock them. No noticeable swelling of tendons, no heat. Her chest has also widened out and she has become a bit bow legged. I had my farrier out, who has many years of experience and is willing to try to do anything to make this horse comfortable but we are struggling trying to determine what is best, so Im turning to those farriers here on the board, I hope you can offer some suggestions. Any ideas of what could cause a horse to go bow legged? Could the shaky knees be arthritis or something to do with cushings or both? Or due to the extra weight of the pot belly. She has not had shoes on for over a year. She has been trimmed at her natural angle. My farrier tried bar shoes 2 days ago just to see if it would help her to put weight on the entire foot. She started shaking at a walk up to the shoulders so the shoes were pulled this morning. He has now ordered some natural balance shoes for her and we are going to give those a try soon. But honestly, we are both at a loss for what is going on and what should be done to make her comfortable. My vet really isnt of any help unless of course I want to do xrays, should I go ahead with that? Also, there is no tenderness in either hoof. Although she is extremely prone to founder right now, I dont "believe" she has shown any signs of the beginnings of founder. To try to explain the shaking, its like an instability, because her knees arent really locking much, if at all. Although, she can stand on 3 legs to be worked on, she gets a bit unstable at times but can support her weight. She still does walk all the way out to the middle of the pasture. And, I am not opposed to putting this horse down if she gets to the point that she is suffering, but at this time, I really beleive there is something we can do to ease her discomfort. I hope someone can give me an opinion, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi Caterina,


Please post pictures of the feet and horse. And do have X rays taken and post them too.

I guess the knees you're refering as unstable are the 'front knees', or carpus? If so the buckling of the carpus usually is an attempt by the horse to relief deep flexor tendon pull. Often though the feet of such horses have rather high heels. Lowering them reduces buckling. However it does not necessarily remove the reason the horse wishes to unload its DDFT. Legs can become bowlegged when the horse tries to get away from discomfort.

The natural balance shoes could be a thought, but as others can explain in much more detail then I can, its not just a matter of slapping NB shoes on.....
There is a website linked to this board you may want to visit. That would be the EDSS site.

If you provide us with a little more information we may be able to offer a few suggestions you might want to discuss with your vet and shoer about what could be going on with your horse.


Ronald Aalders

[calshoer]

I don't know how advanced your horse's cushings is, but one effect of long term cushings is a weakening of all the muscles and ligaments in the body. Excess cortisol scavenges protein out of the muscles and ligaments in a process called "catabolism".
I do know from observaion that horses and ponies with true full blown cuhings do eventually get pot bellied, and have weak and loose joints. Basically everything becomes painful. Patty

[Caterina]

Patty, is this the Patty that has been on this board for so long? If so, I want you to know, you have given me some great advice over the past few years, Thank You !!!
I would say her cushings is very much advanced. It was hard to get my vet convinced that she should be tested. He felt it was more of a phase "all horses have cushings" sort of thing and felt her long curly coat was due to old age. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. I have heard that its possible to build up some of that muscle again or have you only seen them go down hill after this? As I mentioned in my original post, I will put this horse down if she is suffering. I love her dearly and she does not deserve to suffer.
Thanks!

[calshoer]

Yes, same Patty (been online doing this for ten years now)
Thank you and Glad I have been of some help to you.
To answer your question, Ffrom my experience , I have found that once the horse becomes to the stage that they exibit classic advanced cushings symptoms, (long hair ,pot belly, bad joints etc) it is a matter of maintainance and delaying the deterioration process for as long as possible, as long as you can keep them comfortable.
Is she on Pergolide yet?
If not , it is sure worth a try. Ask your vet about it. Most of the cushings horses I shoe or trim do best when on that drug. Many get so good on the right diet and meds they do well barefoot, but when off the pergolide they crash again.
Pergolide can be fairly pricey but if it works the horse will usually show an increase in comfort levels fairly rapidly..usually in ten days or so. Pergolide can be fairly pricey, but there are compounding pharmacies where you can get it for about $1.10 per 1MG daily dose. If your vet will write you a precription for it to get it mail order, that ususually the cheapest way to get it. The yahoo.com equinecushings discussion group has sources listed , I believe. If not then post a question there and someone on that site will have it.
As well if you give a joint supplement, avoid glucosamine. Sometimes Glucosamine seems to set off laminitis in insulin resistant or cushings horses. . Use pure MSM or Chrondroitin sulfate instead.
Patty