dont know what to do

[horsegirly]

:confused:hi im new to the forum but would really love some unbiased advice basically i bought a pony a while ago as a little project and to get back into riding..well ever since i had him i thought there was something wrong with him as he just didnt want to do anything very happily,schooing jumping etc so after numerous checks on him which came up with nothing i put it down to his attitude but the other day i just felt i couldnt carry on pushing him so had vet to check him out again..and he has basically said that he isnt lame or anything like that but does have an underlying problem somewhere that could cost a lot to find out so i should claim for loss of use as he isnt capable for whatever reason of doing what i bought him for and i might never know......but feel like now what?he looks fine,appears healthly but feel if i get lou he is a bit condemmed as i dont actually know the problem...any advice would be greatly received as i feel in limbo now with him

[BEX101]

Are you covered for loss of use and what is he insured to do?
Is the vet suggesting having him PTS? LOU horses can still be ridden if they are able to be but insurance companies wont insure them for what the loss of use was for in the first place. For example - if a Grade A showjumper was subjected to LOU then he can go on as a happy hacker or even local level jumping if still fit enough.

Often to get the full LOU value the insurance company does expect you to have the horse PTS though.

Do you think he would do ok as a happy hacker?

[horsegirly]

hi thanks for reply,yes i think he would be ok as happy hacker
he was insured to do stuff up to unaffilated ode etc
i do have lou with my insurance,the vet never said about him being pts i wouldnt have that happen anyway would rather lose money on him..i would get 60% of sum insured back if they agreed to it.

[dun blonde]

Welcome to the forum,sorry it is not under the best circumstances though:(

I *thought* claiming LOU was quite a long and drawn out procedure,and involved trying every treatment possible to put the problem right,not sure how your vet would do this as has no idea what the problem is??
I could be wrong but this how I understand it,and when talking to a lady at petplan she said it often takes up to a year to sort out simply as every avenue has to be exhausted to say for sure that the horse definitely cannot be used for original purpose.

I would have another chat with your vet and insurance comapny and discuss all that would be involved in claiming LOU,and go from there.

As Bex said there is no reason your pony cannot still be used for riding even after a LOU claim,just might have to be at a more relaxed pace,but sounds like that would suit him better anyway??

[eeek]

If I were you I would get a physio to him. They are very good at working out where there are problem areas in the body. You'd be surprised at how much difference it can make to the horse if a small area is treated and stops affecting other areas.

[horsegirly]

hi thanks for welcome..yes,i was surprised he made it sound so simple as a lot of people have said its not that easy to claim lou without any kind of tests..he isnt mega high value or anything so could cost what he is worth just trying to find out,i have spent a lot of money on him already with various different people looking at him since ive had him with no answers,do think for whatever reason he can do so much then you ask for more and he just cant seem to do it,have phoned vet to ask for advice..will question him a bit more about lou,think i was so stunned i couldnt think straight when he said it the other day

[casper_cb]

As he's insured I'd get him referred to a main line equine vet practice and TELL them to find out what's wrong. That's what we did with my boy, he went to Liphook, they had just over £3,000 pounds to "play" with and I said I just wanted to find out what was wrong. He had various tests done, they were so thorough. He had work outs both under saddle and on the lunge, he was made radio active (scintigraphy) x-rayed, scanned, etc.. finally an MRI of the hoof showed up what was wrong. From being a write off, being told he would need to be PTS, that he'd never come sound, nearly 4 years on we went to the BD National Championships together.

I would strongly suggest getting him referred to a big equine hospital. If you're worried about him being happy staying there i can honestly say none of my horses have worried in the slightest. They settle so well in horsepital, they have plenty to look at and even my worry bugs are happy there. I personally would not consider LOU until I'd used up every penny of my insurance trying to find out what's wrong.

I've never claimed loss of use but have very sadly claimed on loss of life. I insure with NFU and the claiming procedure is thorough but it's not hard. They seem to appreciate the situation is distressing enough without having to "fight" with the insurance company.

[africa]

Good point Casper. If your horse is insured the insurance company will be paying for veterinary investigation not you so if the vet thinks there's an issue then they should look into it.

From what you've said it's not clear exactly what the problem is. Whether he just seems grumpy about work or if he starts broncing etc. Like Dun Blonde I'd always thought LOU was very difficult to claim as you have to prove the horse can't be used for the insurance to pay out. I doubt they'd do it on a sound horse that had attitude if the vet can't even say where the problem might be.

[horsegirly]

Thank you for reply...i am getting vet back out to do some tests and talk about where i go from here with him,would not mind him going off to be tested for things would love to know what the problem is,as at the moment i have no idea.

[horsegirly]

THANKS FOR REPLIES EVERYONE...so nice to get peoples thoughts on this,been going round and round in my head not knowing what to think,its like i dont know what i should be doing with him,feel bad riding knowing somethings not right but he gets quite bolshy if not a lot is done with him and he looks fine and is sound,be glad when i get the ball rolling with tests i think.

[chelle83]

Have just seen your thread, welcome by the way.

I can't add anymore to the advice that has been given, but just wanted to say I hope you are able to get to the bottom of what is wrong with your horse.

[My Crazy Clan]

What is this underlying problem????

Have you had back, saddle and teeth checked?

Whats he like to hack? could it be that he just doesn't like the work you are asking him todo?

[sparkey]

This is kind of dodgy but you Could ask your vet if you can put him on bute for a week and see if he's any happier on it. If he is, then it suggests that there is pain somewhere and a week of bute is not going to do him any harm. It's possible that it's a purely psychological issue. I had a pony very like this so I can understand. She wasn't even happy out in the field! She only ever pricked her ears when she went into an arena full of showjumps. I had everyone out to see her and nobody found anything wrong so eventually resigned myself to the fact that she was just plain grumpy!

[horsegirly]

hi update.....well blood tests have shown cushings,so he is on treatment for that and will see how it goes,in reply to previous post by sparkey,i had him on a bute trial when i had vet out not long after i had him he was no different but thanks for your thoughts..i have thought seeing as i have had back,teeth,tack checked etc whether it was more a behaviourial issue,vet doesnt seem to think so but he is a funny pony to deal with does have an attitude and is very much give him an inch and he will take a mile,he is very cheeky...nippy,bolshy etc
anyway will see how he goes on cushings treatment...thanks everyone

[casper_cb]

I hope the cushings treatment helps him. I've not had any experience of a horse/ pony with cushings but I'm sure others on here have and would be happy to share their experiences.

[easyrider]

i dont even have lou cover..no point unless the horse has a high value really.....i assume yours is veteran age..shame about the cushings but he can be helped and have many happy years ahead yet