making a lame (?) horse comfortable on a very low budget (with pics)

[2LaZ2race]

Long story short, I took on the responsibility of this horse when the owner left him at the barn that I boarded. I'm doing my best to find him a good home but he is very ouchy.

He's a 5yo OTTB that last raced in July. He got turned out (directly from the track) into a 25+ acre field with his racing plates still on and the owner couldn't catch him so he hadn't been handled in over a month then she left the barn and I decided to take care of him. Owner said he has ossolets (in his LF) but I have no x-rays to back that up.

I was able to catch him (it took a while!) and pull off his last racing plate. His feet look bad and he has an open wound on his ankle that i've been cleaning and wrapping daily.

Farrier is coming out asap which I think will help a lot. I can't pin point his lameness, he just looks uncomfortable. He will trot and canter a little in the field, but I haven't wanted to really make him trot for me until his feet were done.

Pics:

open wound/ "bad ankle" (http://s842.photobucket.com/albums/zz344/2laz2race/?action=view&current=Obie051.jpg)

Feet (before I pulled his last racing plate off) (http://s842.photobucket.com/albums/zz344/2laz2race/?action=view&current=Obie052.jpg)


Body Shot (http://s842.photobucket.com/albums/zz344/2laz2race/?action=view&current=Obie055.jpg)

There's some more close ups.. he was standing sort of awkwardly b/c 1) it was his first time out of the field, and 2) i think the hard road was hurting his feet.

I want to try to make him as comfortable as I can but since I don't intend to keep him I really can't invest in x-rays or anything like that.

Any suggestions?

[HealingHeart]

Nice looking horse. I wonder if he is ouchy from just becoming barefoot again and the hard rock surface. They usually work out on smooth sand. It sounds like the horse is doing his part in not doing to much and giving it time to heal.....

I am glad you are caring for him and watching out for his best interest. The farrier should be of some help too.

[Simkie]

Get his feet comfortable and then evaluate what you have. Trotting him out and flexions can help isolate which joints are sore. If anything really pops on flexions, then you'd really have to consider how much time and effort you'd want to spend. Not to mention money.

If you want to make him just more comfortable in general, previcoxx is cheap, will help, and shouldn't hammer his stomach.

[2LaZ2race]

It sounds like the horse is doing his part in not doing to much and giving it time to heal.....

I am glad you are caring for him and watching out for his best interest. The farrier should be of some help too.

Thanks.. I have a soft spot for OTTBs. He's doing pretty well about not running around. I see him often standing in the run in shed alone when all the other horses are out grazing. I feel like he's just looking at me saying "where's my groom and my grain and my tiny little racing saddle???"

The herd is pretty calm. My 2 OTTBs, a tiny app pony (also left by owner but she's in good shape) and 2 paint mares that are so fat they can't move.

It's a low key pasture board barn where a lot of people "retire" their horses or just put easy keepers. There's no barn manager, no one that feeds or anything.. totally self care. The owners are not horse people and they're thankfully I'm taking care of him.

[sublimequine]

Agreed, I'd bet anything the horse will be A LOT more comfortable after the farrier is out. Will probably go well with at least front shoes, maybe all around. Then I'd see how sound the horse is after the farrier visit, and go from there. :)

[Calvincrowe]

I second the idea that he's probably ouchy from going barefoot and being "tossed out" with little care. A career ending injury on the track probably would have left him noticeably off. The tincture of time cure is a good one. Get his feet looked at--even front shoes might help him transition (although if he's like my 20 YO TB, he'll never be barefoot and sound) and give him time to let down and learn to be a horse again.

[2LaZ2race]

Get his feet comfortable and then evaluate what you have. Trotting him out and flexions can help isolate which joints are sore. If anything really pops on flexions, then you'd really have to consider how much time and effort you'd want to spend. Not to mention money.

If you want to make him just more comfortable in general, previcoxx is cheap, will help, and shouldn't hammer his stomach.

I'm sort of on the fence about spending time and money. Time I don't mind, but money is obviously an issue. I'm not poor but i'm "horse poor" and would rather spend my hard earned money on my horses.

On the other hand.. I want to find him a good home and that will be much easier if he is sound (or at least trail riding sound) so if there are some simple steps I can take I will (i have no issue paying for a $30 trim but I can't spend hundreds of dollars on x-rays)

I was also debating about bute or something like that b/c I don't want him feeling "too good" if he needs time to rest.

[smm20]

Just be careful that you don't sink a lot of money into him and get him some ground manners/undersaddle time only to have the original owner reappear and sell him, with a profit from your hard work and generosity.

[Simkie]

I'm sort of on the fence about spending time and money. Time I don't mind, but money is obviously an issue. I'm not poor but i'm "horse poor" and would rather spend my hard earned money on my horses.

On the other hand.. I want to find him a good home and that will be much easier if he is sound (or at least trail riding sound) so if there are some simple steps I can take I will (i have no issue paying for a $30 trim but I can't spend hundreds of dollars on x-rays)

Spending a lot of time and effort on a horse that has chips grinding away on cartilage will end in heartbreak. I promise--I've been there. Same thing spending a lot of time and effort on a horse with a minor tendon tweek that needs rest.

These things can LOOK very minor...until they're not. A chip horse can go from a 1 lameness-wise (it can be very subtle) until the horse has no cartilage left and is bone on bone and then it will be DEAD LAME. And will not improve. Not even enough to just trail ride.

So a hundred bucks to radiograph a joint that pops sore on flexions or the ultrasound a tendon that palpates off can be very, very well spent. I'm certainly not saying to go hog wild, but spending the money can sometimes be really worth it.

[2LaZ2race]

Just be careful that you don't sink a lot of money into him and get him some ground manners/undersaddle time only to have the original owner reappear and sell him, with a profit from your hard work and generosity.

She gave me his papers so I'm hoping she won't be back to claim him.

[NorCalDressage]

She gave me his papers so I'm hoping she won't be back to claim him.

Simkie has very good points -

IMO the best route would to have a good farrier check him out soon. He can maybe put hoof testers to him and give his opinion on if he is currently foot sore or not (that could be why he acts uncomfortable) - decide to try barefoot or front shoes.

Then I think you can take a couple weeks to attend to the wound - get that cleared up and evaluate if he is still lame or not. Sometimes just giving them time to chill does wonders. If he is still lame, then it's time to take more serious measures, but no need to panic now!

BTW, good for you - for giving him a second chance!

[Fharoah]

Personally I would get a basic vet assesment to see if the horse can be made sound. I would think it woulld be really challenging to find a lame horse a home right now.

You could try some hoof testers and if tender some shoes with pads.

[mvp]

I'd get him trimmed ASAP.

I'd use venice turpentine on his feet to toughen up what he has.

I'd put him on either Previcoxx or Bute and an ulcer preventative. Ranitidine is cheap, but them some really old skoolers might recommend baking soda.

I'd deal with the ankle cut.

I'd wait a couple of weeks (at least).

I'd take him of the pain meds for a couple of days and then do my own, down-home lameness exam:

Trotting on a straight line toward me, away from me and by me. Trotting on a circle in both directions, on deep and shallow footing if I had access to both. Flexion tests. Palpate the suspensories and flexors, knees, stifles.

From how he is standing and the osselets info, I'd be careful. He looks like he'd rather not support himself on the LF. Could be the foot pain (most likely) but then the boney problem.

You need to take care of foot pain before you try to evaluate him for soundness anywhere else.

Best of luck.

[chelsealaurenmurphy]

he's a gorgeous boy. props to you for trying to help him. i hope everything goes well and he starts feeling better soon.

[2LaZ2race]

I'd get him trimmed ASAP.

I'd use venice turpentine on his feet to toughen up what he has.

I'd put him on either Previcoxx or Bute and an ulcer preventative. Ranitidine is cheap, but them some really old skoolers might recommend baking soda.

I'd deal with the ankle cut.

I'd wait a couple of weeks (at least).

I'd take him of the pain meds for a couple of days and then do my own, down-home lameness exam:

Trotting on a straight line toward me, away from me and by me. Trotting on a circle in both directions, on deep and shallow footing if I had access to both. Flexion tests. Palpate the suspensories and flexors, knees, stifles.

From how he is standing and the osselets info, I'd be careful. He looks like he'd rather not support himself on the LF. Could be the foot pain (most likely) but then the boney problem.

You need to take care of foot pain before you try to evaluate him for soundness anywhere else.

Best of luck.

I think this will be my plan.

I know many people have suggested a vet exam but if it's just his feet or the cut or just "I was a racehorse 25 days ago" syndrome I really don't want to drop $500 for a lameness exam and x-rays.

I understand the issues that could come from with bone chips or more serious conditions but under the circumstances I think I need to play it by ear for a while.

I'll keep everyone updated :)

[jetsmom]

I'd probably put front shoes on, just to see if that helps him not be sore. And I'd treat the cut.

[kookicat]

Would the owner be willing to sign him over to you? Or could you bill the owner for what needs doing?

Good for you for taking him on. :)

[lindsay_aggie]

He is a great looking horse and lucky to have someone willing to try and get him sound.

In my opinion his front legs are far from clean, especially his ankles. I would believe that having ossolets would be a best case scenario looking at the photos. If that is his problem then you can hope that they are green and when they have time to set he may come sound on them.

If it were my horse and time were not an issue I would get his feet in shape, treat the cut (which doesn't look at this point like a cause of lameness), and wait. If after a reasonable amount of time he doesn't come sound then I would start x-raying up the front legs in particular. That said, if the horse isn't comfortable enought to be turned out without pain management I would have to go ahead with the lameness exam now rather than later.

Good luck and again he is a lovely horse.

[chaltagor]

I was also debating about bute or something like that b/c I don't want him feeling "too good" if he needs time to rest.

Resting is hard to do when you're in pain. That myth of "no pain-killers equals they'll be quieter" has been debunked fairly well. A vet lost his license for not giving pain killers to a dog after surgery. Humans and animals heal better when they're comfortable. If he's been out in a pasture for over a month the damage is already done.

Oh, BTW, I've got three OTTBs that I got just like you did. Welcome to the club!

[mvp]

Does he officially belong to you or not?

In the interest of not wasting time and money, or getting your hopes up, I'd also get the ownership issued cleared up with the owner before I paid any pro to do anything to the horse.

Remember that you are losing money and starting to love him every day you feed him. For that reason, you might want to set a reasonable time limit for how long you'll give him to "just be a horse" before you start expecting him to be more sound. You don't want to wait, say, 4 months and find yourself looking at a still lame horse and wishing you had cut bait 90 days/and those dollars earlier.

Your farrier can help you decide the quickest way to resolve foot pain for this horse. Again, I think that's your very first job. It may be that it make sense to pay for shoes up front if he thinks that trimming plus toughening up the soles will work for this horse.

Just remember that time is money and time is a chance to get way attached.

[2LaZ2race]

Does he officially belong to you or not?

In the interest of not wasting time and money, or getting your hopes up, I'd also get the ownership issued cleared up with the owner before I paid any pro to do anything to the horse.

Remember that you are losing money and starting to love him every day you feed him. For that reason, you might want to set a reasonable time limit for how long you'll give him to "just be a horse" before you start expecting him to be more sound. You don't want to wait, say, 4 months and find yourself looking at a still lame horse and wishing you had cut bait 90 days/and those dollars earlier.

Your farrier can help you decide the quickest way to resolve foot pain for this horse. Again, I think that's your very first job. It may be that it make sense to pay for shoes up front if he thinks that trimming plus toughening up the soles will work for this horse.

Just remember that time is money and time is a chance to get way attached.

She told me to give him to "the first person that showed up with a trailer". I told her I wasn't comfortable giving him away with out his papers (since that is how ownership is often exchanged with TBs.. I've never had a "bill of sale" with my OTTBs.. they just give me his papers).

The farrier is coming out this weekend and I'll see what he thinks. The "time limit" i've set is the end of this month because he's only had his board paid that much. I know that's not a lot of time but it's reality. I've had a couple of people contact me (he's on the giveaway page) and I'd be happy to give him away as a pasture pet or companion horse.

[mvp]

You're doing good! Glad you got the papers and the farrier appointment.

With 20 days to go, I'd definitely go into overdrive with respect to taking the foot pain out of the equation. If you can see a decent amount of change in that time, he'll be better off because you or others who might take him will have a clearer idea of what they are getting. A horse who is pretty, but more lame than the people had hoped is in a tough position.

[2LaZ2race]

A horse who is pretty, but more lame than the people had hoped is in a tough position.

Totally understand.. that's the main reason i'm being brutally honest with all the people who have messaged me about him. I've been cheated before; I adopted a horse from Bowie (from a popular TB rescue webpage-not CANTER) and it turned out she had a terminal breathing condition that the trainer knew about. I ended up paying for diagnoses (which he already knew) and experimental treatment before I put her down. At least she spent her last days happy in a field.

ANYWAY... I'd love to do x-rays so I could show people exactly what's there. I've only ever had x-rays done on my older OTTB gelding but that was part of a HUGE lameness exam at a hospital that included bone scan and stuff.. the bill was so big and it was all under insurance I don't even remember what I paid!

For now, if I don't do x-rays, I just have to continue to be honest with people and give him the best care I can.

[lolalola]

What happens if he's not OK or improving after the time period? Euthanization?

[2LaZ2race]

What happens if he's not OK or improving after the time period? Euthanization?

I have money to do that if he can not be placed in a good home. I am too close to New Holland to risk just sending him down the road to whomever will take him. But that will be a last resort. I've had some offers for people to take him but many are hundreds of miles away and I don't particularly like the idea of sending him to somewhere I can't check out (even if just by word of mouth reference).

I have a pretty good network of people up here and I'm "Optimistic" that he will find a good home. :winkgrin: (his JC name is Optimistic)

[mvp]

I'm glad someone brought up the "What if the prognosis is heinous?" Issue, and that the OP could answer it. That must be at the back of any effort to find out what's wrong with him. I would do what the OP plans:

1) Try really hard to figure out the horse.

2) Represent him honestly.

3) Try to find an owner that knows what the horse is, and can provide the OP with some assurance that they aren't deluding themselves about what they are getting or don't really have the means or a plan for dealing with him should he not work out. I'd also euthanize a horse before sending him into a situation that I merely *hoped* would be good while my gut said otherwise.

So here's my idea re: X-rays. If you get so far as to find someone interested in doing a PPE, and they get to the point of X-raying a suspicious part, why not make a deal that you will buy the incriminating radiograph for half price should they not end up taking the horse?

The purchaser could be an a-hole and ask you to buy all of the info they spent on the PPE, but perhaps not. After all, the money won't be coming back to them, regardless of how the info could help you, and ultimately, the horse. This way, you'd get more knowledge to pass onto the next guy who looks at the horse. I wouldn't offer to split the cost of the whole PPE exam, just one key picture.

[2LaZ2race]

So here's my idea re: X-rays. If you get so far as to find someone interested in doing a PPE, and they get to the point of X-raying a suspicious part, why not make a deal that you will buy the incriminating radiograph for half price should they not end up taking the horse?

The purchaser could be an a-hole and ask you to buy all of the info they spent on the PPE, but perhaps not. After all, the money won't be coming back to them, regardless of how the info could help you, and ultimately, the horse. This way, you'd get more knowledge to pass onto the next guy who looks at the horse. I wouldn't offer to split the cost of the whole PPE exam, just one key picture.

That's a really good idea and I will suggest that to those who are interested.

As of now he's doing well and my sister, who has been helping me a lot with him is interested in taking care of him. She hasn't totally decided if she wants him forever but she's contemplating paying his expenses for the winter and see how he is after a few months off, good feeding, hoof care etc.

She's the type of person that is perfectly content with going out to the barn everyday and just brushing and mucking and doesn't need a horse that can go out and be in the ribbons every weekend.

This would give him time to improve and also get some better ground manners and possible some re-training if he comes sound enough.

I would of course be willing to give him to someone if they could provide a good home, but it looks like for now if I can't find someone she's willing to work with him. It'll be a good experience for her as well.. she hasn't really connected with a horse since her leased horse died and it's good to see her inspired again.

[magnolia73]

Thanks for helping that horse out. I'd recommend PTing someone like Fairweather of JLeeGriffith with questions about the soundness. Fairweather has a great eye for soundness things- and has seen so many OTTB's and their issues. I'm pretty sure they see a lot that come in lame and take a few months to get comfy again...then go onto good careers. Good luck.

[FindersKeepers]

I certainly understand your position, as I have been in a similar spot, but had my guy for 2 years now...

To start, have the farrier look him over. It could be as simple as needing that plate off and a trim. If thats the issue, it's repaired for $30.

If that doesn't do the trick, I'd consider caling the vet for a lameness exam. Tell them upfront you're not in a financial position for x-rays and just want to make him comfortable. It cost me $45. This at least narrowed down the problem areas and ruled out tendon/ligament issues. It was arthritis and a muscular issue of unknwon etiology.

If it's not feet, not joint/arthritic, and not something obvious like a bowed tendon, tear, etc. Then I'd do a gram of bute a day for the next 2 weeks, and start the horse in a program. Walk trot, etc. The guy I'm working with was lame as could be until I started him in physical therapy (my name for our program) Low intensity, consistent work. This coupled with a gram of bute for 2 weeks worked wonders. After 2 weeks, I weaned him to a half a gram a day, and he has had not a single gram of bute for the last 18 months and is completely sound.

Good luck, and thank you.

[2LaZ2race]

So grey horse (he doesn't really have a name...) got his feet done yesterday and he feels SO much better! Farrier said his feet aren't too bad but will keep him on a very consistent trim schedule to try to slowly change their shape and give him some heels.

His wound on his ankle is healing well, I decided to leave it open today with some Wonder Dust on it because everytime i wrap it (with a poltice pad or gauze) it starts to bleed when I remove the pad.

My sister has been doing great with him and is becoming very attached. However she got very upset yesterday when he went from perfectly fine in the field to "I don't want to move my hind leg" lame. She thought he had broken his leg or something (even though he hadn't done anything that would even cause a minor injury) and I thought maybe he had blow an abscess or something. On further observation I realized he had slipped his stifle and after a few backwards steps righted himself. He defiantly needs to build that hind end but is doing well for now.

[Patty Stiller]

The horse has a lot of really ugly joint stuff going on. In more than one area.
I doubt the tender hooves are of much consequence. Even if you get h him shod or booted I suspect he will still be quite lame from joint problems.
The swellings in the LF fetlock, on the front of the fetlock, and in the area of the cut on the back, and in the area just above the sesamoid bones on the RF all point to potentially serious issues such as bone chips, osselets(arthritis of the fetlock) sesamoid fractures etc.
Even though the budget is an issue I would recommend a "once over" clinical exam by a vet to see which joints are most suspect, then get some radiographs of the most suspicious areas. Then you have a prognosis and can decide whether yo go much further with him beyond making him a pasture ornament. There is always the inexpensive "tincture of time" method of treatment, but given the amount of 'red flag" areas I see on his legs , "time" would mean six months to a year in pasture then see what you have.

[2LaZ2race]

The horse has a lot of really ugly joint stuff going on. In more than one area.
I doubt the tender hooves are of much consequence. Even if you get h him shod or booted I suspect he will still be quite lame from joint problems.
The swellings in the LF fetlock, on the front of the fetlock, and in the area of the cut on the back, and in the area just above the sesamoid bones on the RF all point to potentially serious issues such as bone chips, osselets(arthritis of the fetlock) sesamoid fractures etc.
Even though the budget is an issue I would recommend a "once over" clinical exam by a vet to see which joints are most suspect, then get some radiographs of the most suspicious areas. Then you have a prognosis and can decide whether yo go much further with him beyond making him a pasture ornament. There is always the inexpensive "tincture of time" method of treatment, but given the amount of 'red flag" areas I see on his legs , "time" would mean six months to a year in pasture then see what you have.

wow you must have some x-ray eyes to see all those problems :eek: :winkgrin:

He does have a lot of bumps and knobs, but I guess in dealing with a lot of OTTBs they don't really shock and awe me like people who have sound horses :lol: I'm not sure if you read my post but he does have ossolets in the LF that were x-rayed on the track and ruled as green. The RF is big but doesn't bother him so it's either something old or just an ugly racehorse ankle.

I think he def. needs lay up time but he was walking 100% better today after having his feet done, having the wound cared for and moving him to a field where no one is chasing him... which gives me hope.

Thanks for the look over, I will defiantly keep your suggestions in mind.

[FatPalomino]

I've seen horses with a lot worse legs come sound with time.

One mare had both ankles bigger than that, as well as hocks, and was sound for the years I knew her in the pasture. Finally the owners wanted to find her a new home and we had the vet check her out. Legs look ugly but she moves great with no signs of lameness so trail ride her lightly. She made a great kid's horse.

Simkie talked about bone on bone. I've seen many in the heal with time, fuse, giving the horse limited range of motion but soundness. Again, these made good kids horses, but they had very pleasant dispositions. Many were turned out for a year or two.

Best of luck finding him a new home. There was a grey TB with big ankles that looked just like your horse that I knew in NJ. I told the trainer to let me know when he was done racing, he was sweet as could be. He never did, though :sigh: