Posted 2008-04-07 8:38 PM (#81415) Subject: Old Horse
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
I'm having some serious problems with my old QH mare. We aren't sure how old she really is, but we are guessing around early 20's. Last week I went out to feed and she was fine when I put her in her stall. Then I went to turn her back out and she could hardly walk!! It was like she had a stroke!! Her back end is really unstable and now she doesn't seem to be able to chew very well. I'm calling my vet to get him out here tomorrow, But I was hoping that someone might have a few idea's to throw my way. I'm really scared that we are going to have to put her down... Please and one seen anything like this???
Posted 2008-04-07 9:51 PM (#81425 - in reply to #81415) Subject: RE: Old Horse
Expert
Posts: 1881 Location: NY
I worked at a barn that had a horse mare 26 yrs old and she had bad joints we gave her one bute a day to help and joint supplements ,she lived to 28 yrs and had a good life good luck
Posted 2008-04-08 5:15 AM (#81434 - in reply to #81415) Subject: RE: Old Horse
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
I had thought of EPM, but I thought EPM would appear during stress??? She hasn't been ridden since December... and nothing else has changed in her life. Very easy time for her...
Posted 2008-04-08 8:10 AM (#81441 - in reply to #81434) Subject: RE: Old Horse
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
Originally written by Rockin_horse72 on 2008-04-08 5:15 AM
I had thought of EPM, but I thought EPM would appear during stress??? She hasn't been ridden since December... and nothing else has changed in her life. Very easy time for her...
What you consider an easy time for her may actually be stressful, in particular if she is a mare who is accustomed to being active. It's hard to know what a horse considers stress. Keep us updated, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted 2008-04-09 7:26 AM (#81488 - in reply to #81415) Subject: RE: Old Horse
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Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
Well, my vet determined that she had thrown her neck & back out so bad that she had pinched nerves!!! So, I adjusted her and massaged her for about 2.5 hours and i'm doing the body work twice a day now and she seems to be better!!! She is eating and moving about much better!! She is still on banamine, but I think we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now!!! Keep your fingers crossed for her!!
Posted 2008-04-09 8:32 AM (#81496 - in reply to #81488) Subject: RE: Old Horse
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Posts: 2615
Several people will get a laugh out of this (we know,we've experienced ridicule because of it) but a good equine chiorpractor might be what your horse needs to completely recover.It worked for our gelding that had injured his shoulder and had compensated in his posture and gait for over a year.
Posted 2008-04-09 8:42 AM (#81500 - in reply to #81415) Subject: RE: Old Horse
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
I do understand what you mean. I get the funny looks all the time, too. I believe in alternative treatment probably more than I believe in "normal" treatment. I have been trained in Equine Chiropractic, but I seem to second guess my self all the time. I just need to believe in my instincts and go with it. I talk to my vet and confirm what I'm thinking and then treat.
Posted 2008-04-09 8:58 AM (#81501 - in reply to #81434) Subject: RE: Old Horse
Member
Posts: 37 Location: alabama
EPM symptoms appear at anytime once affected. To my knowledge stress dosn't cause it to come on quicker or anything. I had a horse a couple of years ago who had it, with those same symptoms. We did all we could, but he just never recoverd. He always kept symptoms, but some days were better than others.
Posted 2008-04-09 9:04 AM (#81502 - in reply to #81415) Subject: RE: Old Horse
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
I had standardbred race horses for years and EPM is a major problem for them. But, it would rear its ugly head when they were stressed, such as colts starting training, racing hard or just starting back. If we would turn them out and let them rest, with no treatment, they would take about 2 weeks and would be symptom free! But the minute they would start back to work they would have all the symptoms again. I was told by numerous vets and research that it is triggered by physical stress. Maybe it is directly relative to what the horse does & the extent of dibilitation.
Old Horse
