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Dani asked in PetsHorses · 5 years ago

Horse is constantly sore, advice?

I have a lovely mare who unfortunately has hock arthritis. Luckily at the moment this is very much under control but we recently discovered that her muscles are quite sore a lot. Now that we know this, it makes sense why she can be so reactive and hot at times. She has also probably been like that for years. Poor girl.

I have been looking for a new home for her as I would like to continue jumping etc (and she can't do that). My problem is that she is not beginner or trail safe. She likes playing games like walking over tarps (or having them on her lol) and a lot of "despooking" stuff (which she isn't scared of at all).

I guess my question is I know there are not many homes for a horse like her. We've never really figured out why she's been sore all this time. The vet thinks it's all my riding but I got her like this and she has greatly improved since I bought her. I had thought about possibly putting her down so she doesn't end up in a bad place (I got her from one) but again it seems a shame to put down a relatively healthy mare.

Is it possible she has a chronic disease of some sort that affects her muscles?

Opinions?

2 Answers

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  • 5 years ago

    Yes, there are quite a few chronic problems that make a horse's muscles sore.

    EPSM, or Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, makes a horse unable to process and use starchy grains. Also called PSSM and/or EPSSM, it's common in horses with Quarter Horse or Warmblood breeding.

    http://equusmagazine.com/article/epsm110503-8199

    Exertional Rhabdomyalysis is another possibillity. Also called "tying up," this can be occasional or chronic, resulting from even the slightest exercise. Severe cases can result in muscle damage and kidney failure. This can often be effectively managed with dietary changes and rest.

    It could also be from a nutritional lack, such as selenium, or a toxicity from some plant in her pasture.

    Here's a good article on these and other such problems: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/horse_diso...

    All three of these issues are treated with NUTRITIONAL CHANGES, and the horse can often return to full work once they're addressed.

    So get the vet out, have the bloodwork done, and address the issue.

    Once you know what's wrong and have it treated, then you can decide what to do. You may be able to keep going with this horse. Failing that, you may be able to find her a home when she's not in constant pain, and the new home will know what's necessary to keep her healthy.

    If you're not going to try to find out what's wrong, then euthanize her. You can't expect a new home to pay the bucks for proper vet diagnoses for YOUR horse - it's your responsibility.

    If a new home does take her, knowing she's always sore, and doesn't get her diagnosed, it's not a good home.

    So getting a diagnosis is a prerequisite to her continued life. Otherwise, she'll just continue to suffer.

    Good Luck with her.

    .

  • 5 years ago

    I'm going to offer a whole bunch of suggestions. Not sure if any will work for your mare but they may be worth a try.

    I think there is product that may offer her some relief and if it doesn't work for her, you can use it with other horses. It's called a Back On Track blanket. This blanket goes on before and after exercise to heat up the muscles and keep them from cramping. The do work quite amazingly.

    You might also get her a bag of equine minerals so she can access them free choice. She may be deficient in something.

    Is she replete in selenium? You need to be careful not to overdose her (it is quite toxic in high doses). But our local dairies insist that selenium poor livestock develop early arthritis....

    Sore No More with arnica is a great muscle relief gel as is some standard diluted linament in a bath after a hard workout. Not sure if you can bathe now...

    Some people swear by magnet therapy.

    Massage and body work can keep a horse going for years more. Also, a really good saddle fitter can do things with your saddle that others have missed...

    And the best but most expensive is Adequan IM shots.

    These things can keep a horse going more comfortably.

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