Help please

Help please

Post by william » Fri, 13 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Sorry I know that this was posted on the 10th but it seemed to go into the
VOID... sorry if some of you already got it... reposting for my friend
Cathy...

Hi I am asking this question for a friend... she has a 10 yr. old TB mare
who previously had an injury (suspensory) and because of that is terrified
of vets (i.e.. has to be lip chained to be examined). I am not clear on the
story but apparently a vet (other than the usual one) was used and gave her
a needle in the rump, none too gently. Since that injury (2 years ago) she
has generally been a little 'spun'. Recently (over the past 2 months) she
has been seen by a massage therapist and has been progressing VERY well, she
is usually very tense and difficult to handle and work with.  Of late her
riding has improved as well as her attitude.  She has become a transformed
horse.  Unfortunately last week she suffered another strange injury, while
being ridden she tripped in the corner and fell.  From what I understand it
was a bad but not horrible fall.  She was ridden after and found to be sore
but not lame in the shoulder (same leg as the suspensory injury).  The
following day she was 'three legged'  the vet was called, it was diagnosed
that she had an abcess in the foot, pulled the shoe and the owner was told
to do the foot soaking/full stall rest routine.  Aside note: the foot that
the shoe was pulled from is a clubfoot, later when the farrier heard the
shoe had been pulled he was very distraught, he said that a club foot could
not go longer than 3 days  without resulting problems).  This was all on the
Monday.  On Friday the massage therapist came and treated the horse.  The
horse was fine until the therapist found a muscle tear in the right
hamstring, she then proceeded to kick out heavily and basically 'lost it'
she could not be calmed.  the therapist came out again on Monday night.
Again the horse was fine for both side of the neck and back but as soon as
she got to rump she tried to kill the therapist, on both sides. She would be
fine for brushing, but any more pressure than that and she would again go on
a rampage.  The vet is coming today to check her, as her hind end was never
originally checked there may have been an injury due to the fall.  This
change also  corresponds to the horse being taken off her bute, close to the
end of the week.  Barring an injury found by the vet what can be done to
help this horse if she is just having psychological re-livings of her injury
two years ago???  I.e. what can keep the massage therapist from getting
killed!  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
In my personal opinion I am not sure I agree with how the whole case was
handled, but it is not my horse to say, nor am I a vet.  It just seems odd.

Thanks Lauri

or X to mail.

 
 
 

Help please

Post by Eileen G. Morg » Mon, 16 Feb 1998 04:00:00



< snip story of very touchy mare with possible hind injuries>

Quote:
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>In my personal opinion I am not sure I agree with how the whole case was
>handled, but it is not my horse to say, nor am I a vet.  It just seems odd.
>Thanks Lauri

If there is no injury--and it sounds like there probably is a painful
injury that needs painkillers/muscle relaxers--then I'd just start
doing desensitizing work. Light touches until that is ok and not
upsetting, working toward firmer touches. Always taking it slow and
easy and waiting for each level of touch to be acceptable before going
a bit firmer.

But I think it is most likely a pain reaction, and you need to stop
having some massage person prodding the muscle in its current
condition. once it heals a bit, THEN manipulate the muscle.

eileen morgan
The Mare's Nest