Knowing whats best?

[classic astra]

as most of you know jazz has bone spavin, and has had for the last 5 years. shes had all the relevant x-rays, steriod injections, box rest, special shoes, etc etc. but nothing has made much difference. obviously at the moment, im 85% sure she is in foal.

when i spoke to the vet when she came out 2 weeks ago, she felt her hock, and said its quite large compared to the other, so there is probably new bone growth still going on, so there is a chance it could still fuse.

she said i have a few options, either keep her as a broodmare, which to be honest i dont want anymore foals after this one, and loaning her out as a broodmare is not an option.

second is wait till this foal is weaned, and put her on a long course of bute, and see if she goes sound, and start work with her again, either try and wean her off it onto something less harsh eventually, or keep on with it for a few years doing what she loves doing (being ridden!) and then pts.

or third option being just leave her in the field as she is for the next 10 years (she is 18 and a half now)

obviously im preferring the 2nd option as id much rather give her what she loves best, hacking, maybe local shows, and a chance she might go sound without bute, if she doesnt and cant manage without it, she will be pts, rather than just doing nothing in a field for the next god knows how many years.

as much as id love to keep her round for as long as possible, as im sure its not a bad life being a field ornament, but thinking on what id prefer, id rather spend a few years doing fun stuff before the end, rather than do nothing for longer!

is this a sensible way of looking at it? its horrible getting to this point as ive had her since i was 16, (now nearly 28) and never had to deal with this before, and never had a horse put down in my life.

[fofo]

Unfortunately I'm a bit of an expert in hock problems now.

Having gone through hell with it, this is what i would do in your shoes

Give her a joint supplement in her feed, whichever you feel is best. Cortaflex kept Stan well for a couple of years.

Hack her regularly but don't do more than she wants. If she doesn't want to canter don't make her. Steady walking and a bit of trot will do her good.

Boot her up when you hack on roads, including knee boots and wraps that go down to the coronet as she may get more trippy and may leave a leg behind which then gets scraped on the road surface.

She may feel stiff when you set off but don't turn for home. As she warms up she will get more fluid in her movement.

There will be good days and bad days but enjoy them all.

[classic astra]

did stan have bone spavin? if he did i didnt realise ive been looking at joint supplements, but there are so many and cortaflex is soooo expensive! she would go out everyday if i wanted, she loves it so much. walk and canter is whats easiest for her, trot, not so much.

when she had her raised heels on, (which helped for a bit but ended up making it worse) she was very stiff for the first 5/10 mins but after that she was better, but her trouble is shes not a "walk" pony, she is a "im going to jog sideways down the road cos its fun" kind of pony!

like this :

Jazz - YouTube

Jazz - YouTube

she is like this 95% of the time, whether on grass or on the road!

and dont worry, i try my best to make the most of all time with her as i know its getting to the point where im not sure wats going to be best for her, after this foal has come and been weaned

[BEX101]

Its good to consider your options but dont stress about making a decision till after the next foal. There are so many "what ifs" and without knowing yours and her circumstances a year down the line you are just going to get worry lines and spoil the time you have with her now.
Enjoy her now, do what you can with her (fofo's suggestions are excellent) If furthur down the line it comes to the worse you'll know you did your best.

[classic astra]

thanks, im trying not to stress about it, shes a bit too lame to ride at the moment, even if the saddle did fit her!! i might start walking her out in hand a bit, she enjoys that too, even likes to try and jog then! she has better days than others, sometimes shes really stiff even in walk, and canters as its too uncomfortable for her to trot, but other times she trots down the field and is only a bit lame. just depends really

[eeek]

It's so hard isn't it. I am going through this with Vinny at the moment. He is getting rather stiff and creaky in his old age. I got very depressed about it, thought about retiring him and took his shoes off.

But after a month of no work he came sound again so I decided to have another go. And he loved it, and was sound (albeit a bit stiff). He is the kind of horse who just isn't happy stood around doing nothing. He loves to work - in fact he won't speak to me unless he knows I'm going to ride him. So I'm going to carry on riding him for as long as he is sound - or nearly sound - and enjoying it.

I think it's definitely better to have a shorter, active and happy life than to live forever in boredom and possible discomfort/pain - certainly for my horse anyway. He wouldn't enjoy being fully retired. Sounds as if Jazz is very similar, they both love to work and are still loons despite their decrepit bodies!

[eeek]

It's so hard isn't it. I am going through this with Vinny at the moment. He is getting rather stiff and creaky in his old age. I got very depressed about it, thought about retiring him and took his shoes off.

But after a month of no work he came sound again so I decided to have another go. And he loved it, and was sound (albeit a bit stiff). He is the kind of horse who just isn't happy stood around doing nothing. He loves to work - in fact he won't speak to me unless he knows I'm going to ride him. So I'm going to carry on riding him for as long as he is sound - or nearly sound - and enjoying it.

I think it's definitely better to have a shorter, active and happy life than to live forever in boredom and possible discomfort/pain - certainly for my horse anyway. He wouldn't enjoy being fully retired. Sounds as if Jazz is very similar, they both love to work and are still loons despite their decrepit bodies!

[My Crazy Clan]

All I am going to say is, do what you feel is best for her x

I wish you many more happy years together x