Lameness on the Right Side - Help

[Calhoun]

One of my horses (6 yrs. old) has always shown a slight NQR on the right side, this horse also drags the RH at the trot. I did have xrays and a vet exam 2 yrs. ago with no red flags. The vet thought it was a weakness and with further training it would go away. I also had a DVM Chiropractor out and he mentioned some right hip issues which were not serious, but would require maintenance such as joint supplements. The supplements he recommended (Conquer) did not work.

Now that the work is increasing (dressage) the horse does not want to use the right side at the trot. Walk work, both sides, is forward, soft, with acceptance of the bit. We can do L/Y, H/I, shoulder fore, turn on the forehand, and changes of direction (serpentine) are no problem. At the trot to the right all of the above is difficult, to the left much easier. The horse will also nod the head slightly to the right and when the work is hard will toss the head. I can get the horse through on both sides (forward and connected through both reins), but often it takes 45 minutes and some days none at all. BTW, when the horse is through all nodding goes away. The canter is not where it should be due to the trot work, but not as difficult as the trot work. The right lead canter feels choppy compared to the left lead canter. The choppy canter goes away when the horse is through.

I used to think all of this was a training issue. This horse has a lovely temperment and tries quite hard at everything but the trot work to the right.

I have made an appointment with a different chiropractor, but would like to know if anyone has had a similar problem before I start spending a bucket of money on a diagnosis.

Thanks.

[joiedevie99]

What did you have x-rayed? Has anyone examined his back?

[Perfect Pony]

What did you have x-rayed? Has anyone examined his back?

I second this question.

Personally I would not waste my money going in circles or consulting chiropractors, etc. I dealt with a similar issue for 3 years! Saw many top vets, chiropractors, saddle fitters, you name it, I did it. A simple consultation with a thermographic camera found what a dozen vets could not (a huge OCD chip in my mare's stifle). Invest a couple hundred bucks on having some thermographic images taken of your horse before and after work and see where the inflammation might be.

[Phaxxton]

Have a vet check his right stifle - and take some x-rays.

[Calhoun]

Perfect Pony, what did you do once you had the diagnosis?

[Perfect Pony]

Perfect Pony, what did you do once you had the diagnosis?

We xrayed the stifle and found the chip. Until that point I had been told stifle xrays were not "indicated" for her symptoms.

All the camera will do is show you areas of inflammation. Someone who knows horses and how to use the camera will know what normal heat patterns looks like. You take pictures with the horse "cold", then work the horse for 20-30 minutes and let the horse stand for 2 hours to cool down a bit. Then you take pictures again and look for increased inflammation.

It's certainly not foolproof or a miracle, but it CAN find hot spots that vets cannot. It's also thousands cheaper than doing a nuclear scan or MRI.

IMO it's the best first step to try to get an idea in what areas the horse has inflammation and pain. Then further diagnostics and treatments from there.