Down Horse

DJL · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:08 am Post subject: Down Horse

I have a mare that is very fit, and was fine at 6:00, but down by 8:30. Called the vet, who concluded that she had tied-up, as she had been idle for about a week after working the feedlot all winter, and then had been running and bucking in the pen earlier that day. Ran all the usual drugs, but she was still down the next morning. She has shown some improvement as far as brightness, and eats and drinks, but can't get up. Her front end works fine, but she has little control of her back end, which the vet figured was part of the muscle damage from tying up, and said there may be too much damage, so she may have to be put down. I am wondering if she injured herself during her play session, but it isn't looking good. At the end of this run of bute if she isn't up, she is going home by a different trail, which breaks my heart. Any one else have any experience with something like this? Any help would be appreciated.

mtn_90 · Member Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 153 Location: SD

Did he run any tests for WN? It doesn't really sound like it, but ya never know....

alacowman · Member Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 47 Location: alabama

Id bet she did injure herself with the horse play. wouldnt think she'd tie up this long afterward. more than likely gonna have to get her up

S bar T · Member Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Heart Land

Well hand, I had a big gray that did almost the same thing. Now this might sound like a yuppy thing but I am not kidding. The woman that was living down the road (not a vet) said she could fix the horse she came over did a bunch of massage and then aligned the horses spine. Just like going to a chiropracter. Anyhow she worked on him for some time, after she was done the horse was up. visibly soar but he was up and in about a week acted like nothin had happened. Come to find out he had "ruptured a disk" any way I never tried to rope on him after that but he seemed sound. You might want to check in to this cuz I would hate to see you put the pony down for no reason.

DJL · Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. I've been wondering if it could be a pinched nerve, but I never thought about a disk. She sits on her butt with no apparent pain; in fact she doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain at any time, but the bute may mask it. This is the kind of horse you dream of, or at least I do. She is an honest 16 hands, fast walker, and cowy as they come. I was amazed at how she can sweep while cutting cattle, sorting in an alley, as big as she is. I know of a gal that does massage and kenesiology, so I am going to give her a try before this mare takes the other trail.

Faster horses · Rancher Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 9400

I'm thinking she slipped while running and playing. This just doesn't sound like a tying up problem. Usually when horses tie up they sweat a great deal too.

Our daughters horse slipped, went down in the front and caught himself in the hindend about 10 years ago. They saw it happen to him and he was lame for a long time in the rear hip area because of it. I think had they gotten a chiropractor in the beginning he could have been helped.

Good for you for having an open mind and wanting to do all you can for the horse. Let us know what happens and...

GOOD LUCK!!

Denny · Rancher Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 2724 Location: Mn usa

I had one do something like that last fall it ended up being west nile.She is no longer with us.

Faster horses · Rancher Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 9400

OH MY GOSH, Denny. We haven't gotten our horses that shot yet. Oh no, better get right on that. Thanks for mentioning it.

kolanuraven · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:41 am Post subject:

My QH buckskin and Appy were playng chase one day and QH pulled up lame in his hindquarters.

Seems he pulled a back muscle kicking and playing. He could get up and down but it was a struggle and sometimes I had to go out give hiim a boost up!!!! That massage treatment DOES work...we tried it. It takes some time, heat pack/ice packs ,meds etc.

If you've got the time, patience and love for the horse it might be worth a try.

DJL · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:42 am Post subject:

Its way too early up here for WN. The mosquitoes aren't out yet, and where we live they are few and far between most years. Going to try to get her up today, and see how it goes. I won't watch her suffer, but I don't want to give up too quick either.

Mrs.Greg · Rancher Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 6123 Location: Alberta

DJL · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

Yes, Mrs. Greg, we are close to the mountains. We do get bad mosquitoes some years, but hopefully this won't be one of them.
The mare isn't so perky this morning. I am thinking it really isn't looking good for her.

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