2015 - the penultimate year!

PinkPoppies

Given her age I don't think a possible arthritic cause would be too much of a long stretch, arthritic changes can definitely cause stumbling and falling and as you say the weather has been particularly cold (plus your lack of TO at the moment). Was she on the forehand when she fell last night?

Could be any number of things though, from a foot issue to something neurological... or just bad luck and coincidence?

Fingers crossed it is nothing but after what you described yesterday, and the fact that she has fallen again within 24hrs personally I would get her checked out by the vet before you get back on, or at least speak to them about what has happened over the phone. Better safe than sorry.

Really hope your mind can be put at rest soon! xxx

DebtFree2012

I have just said the very same thing. We'd been working on the flat and once she's done, she does tend to be very heavy on the forehand which when cooling off I allow. She has always been a bit stiff behind so she never looks truly sound, but she has her level of sound if you know what I mean. She doesn't look lame at all but yes, combined with no TO pretty much, she is bound to be stiff BUT she'd worked for 20/25 mins with no issues and I would have thought she would stumble early on if joint/cold issue. Just guessing there.

I totally agree before getting back on, it's really knocked me. I am going to see how she is tomorrow as tonight I won't be able to have the school to myself and will have DS with me. Then I will go from there.

I don't like coincidences though I know they can happen. I have a lovely vet who I can call. They are actually at the farm tomorrow but i am at work. Hopefully they will be there after 3 when I will be too and I can nab them. He's the guy who operated on her so he knows her history. I might text him now actually.....see if I can persuade him to go later.

PinkPoppies

DebtFree2012 wrote: »

She doesn't look lame at all but yes, combined with no TO pretty much, she is bound to be stiff BUT she'd worked for 20/25 mins with no issues and I would have thought she would stumble early on if joint/cold issue. Just guessing there.

That's true, but on the other hand if she is stiff and perhaps feeling a bit sore behind she might have been carrying more of her weight in front to try and compensate and tired herself out by the end of the session, hence the stumble.

If only horses came with crystal balls eh?

I suppose one good thing about livery yards is that there are often vets visiting and people to share call out costs with!

Will keep my fingers crossed x

DebtFree2012

Thank you hun xx. Yes it's a stroke of luck that they are coming out. Ihave text though no reply yet. I'll maybe give them a call first thing after I've been down tonight to see if anything's changed.

cazmanian_minx

Do you have a good equine physio as well? Might be worth getting her checked over that way too. Fingers crossed her vet can see you tomorrow.

DebtFree2012

A quick update (sorry non horsey people). The vet will be there at 12 ish (vet time!) tomorrow so I can take my lunch then and hopefully our paths will cross. He said if they don't, I am to call him tomorrow to discuss the big girl and get some advice. They are truly amazing vets so I feel a lot better now.

She looked fine again tonight, eating and all the usual. She has a huge fluffly straw bed so should be nice and cosy.

ScattySkewbald

Hope your girly is ok this morning. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about and just a combination of lack of TO, her previous condition and the ground / weather conditions. My big lads arthritis is worse this time of year when he's stabled over night - he walks out like he's on his last legs, altho come bed time he flies across the field like a youngster!

Fingers crossed - will be looking out for the update later x

DebtFree2012

Thanks SS. I don't go down before work as there's someone there who feeds up for us all (she mucks out for me too, how nice? and for free! I do hers on a w/e to balance a touch!) and she's not called me so all must be well. I am going over at 12 to hopefully catch the vet.

On another, random note. DH found a property last night that he thinks will be suitable and wants to view! I knew this would happen! The bad points (to get them out the way) are it's 35 mins away from where we are now. Where we are now has everything in a 5-10 minute distance so this would be a massive shock to the system. It's also a big far for my partner in crime (who owns the big girl with me).
The good points, it's a lovely house, 5 acres, 6 new stables, hay barn and outbuilding with THE most amazing views of the countryside around it. 5 acres are good grazing land, split into paddocks, slight incline so good for drainage and planning permission for an outdoor menage.

DebtFree2012

My lovely vet has seen the big girl and given her the all clear. He said she is clumsy (which I know and on the forehand given the chance). So I'm really pleased, took her out, let her have a mad 10 mins in arena and then put her back in the stable. Or tried to. Would she h£ll go in. Had to get my lovely yard owner (lovely now, not so when I can't get in the school lol) to help and what an amazing man. He spent 45 minutes with her showing me how to manage her and helped me put some rubber matting outside the stable to stop her falling again (which is what frightened her and why she wouldn't go in). So progress and great news that she is ok. I can work on the rest.

No further discussion on property but that's fine. I do want to stick to plan but it would be nice to do it sooner of course. I would prefer to start with a clean slate and then we can put out all into it. What will be will be.

PinkPoppies

Brilliant news!!!! So relieved for you!!!!!