It’s gone wrong from the start

[Ribbonblue]

Owned and loaned throughout my life. Circumstances changed at the beginning of the year and was in a position to buy again. Had a nightmare horse hunting. Wasted time at viewings and wasted money for vettings.

I found ‘the one’. Passed vetting with flying colours and even the vet commented what a good find she was. Horse arrives and she took months and months to settle.

During this time she was hard work and, at times, rather dangerous to handle (simple things became impossible).

We had to pick our moments when we wanted to ride her. During this time she then became unwell. Insurance didn’t cover it all. Had a couple of months off.

After that she was great for about a month, but we took it easy. However I had a niggly feeling something wasn’t right with her hind legs but couldn’t put my finger on it as she wasn’t lame and the way she was moving was the same that I can now see in videos from when i viewed her. During this time she had had regular chiro, worked with a trainer etc. but they just kept saying, hill work will sort her out and she’s moving how her breed moves.

But she gave me no clear signs of being in pain etc (like she did when she was ill previously). Then this niggly feeling didn’t go away and she started telling me something wasn’t right with really not being keen with being ridden.

she now has been diagnosed with PSD.

I am an emotional mess. In the whole time she’s been with us we haven’t done anything we intended to do and the future of being able to do these looks bleak.

i don’t think I can take any negative experiences right now, but if anyone has anything positive stories fo share about this condition I’d really appreciate this right now ♥️

I'm so sorry to hear. Horses really do know how to break our hearts don't they 💔?

Is it fore or hind limb PSD she has? In my admittedly limited knowledge horses with front leg suspensory issues or injuries do often respond quite well to an extended break, remedial schooling and rehab, hind limbs more difficult. Not exactly the same but one of my good friend's TB mare had a front suspensory tear, and after a careful 18 months of grass rest, stem cell treatment and careful rehab, only went and tore the same suspensory again on her very first event back. I really thought that was curtains, but friend has persevered, vet advice was it was just bad luck and prognosis was still good, so she's rehabbed all over again, and mare is sound and back happily hacking and pootling around. I think friend won't risk competing/eventing her again despite her having loads of talent, as there probably is some conformational or structural weakness there but mare is healthy and sound in light work which is a great result at the end of the day! What sorts of things were you hoping to do with your girl?

My boy had this in a hind leg, shockwave and extensive time off and rehab plus careful management since he’s been back competing etc and it hasn’t recurred. However worth looking at underlying factors, he ended up having kissing spine surgery and vets believe they are linked.

I'm sorry I don't have anything to share specifically about PSD, but your story is almost exactly the same as ours, although our pony suffering a different injury. The months of searching, the difficulty settling and then some dangerous behaviour issues, a bit of 'good times' and then the later funny feeling something wasn't quite right and to now a diagnosis with not much hope. All this in 11 months!
I just wanted to say you are not alone. I understand exactly how shit it is and the emotional journey is so hard. Again, sorry I can't offer any advice but I can offer solidarity! PM me if you ever want to chat / cry!

I’m so sorry to hear this. We haven’t even got to 11 months of ownership yet. It’s draining isn’t it. I’m exhausted by mental pressure it all has as well! Not to forget the financial implication.

Can I ask what was wrong, so was it a tear, injury or inflammation etc? Mine is the latter, likely caused by conformation. Her back was x rayd for possible kissing spine and was fine. As soon as she had a nerve block she moved beautifully and had a scan. I am looking at shockwave, but as it’s confirmation I don’t know if it will help.

Thank you for your post. A real
max of everything. Pole and jump clinics, local shows etc. she was very happy out hacking but as soon as she went in the arena she was unhappy

It was the ligament coming off the bone slightly, there was a little chip that had come off too.

Am so sorry . We have this as well , bought a pony 2 years ago and have had maybe 4 months of riding and inbetween has been lame , took a while to find a keratoma in foot on MRI and he had an operation, complicated by infection. Finally sound in August and then 3 weeks later lame again and it has recurred.
its heart breaking , my poor daughter is devastated. They do break your heart really and then as before the constant worry about what to do with them as he’s still young

It's heartbreaking. I have one like that. In the time I have had her she has had a hock injury, and abscess, a horrible infection that lasted for months, a sprain, an overreach and laminitis. Now lame again and we don't know why. In between she is fabulous to ride. I have decided that if she becomes a field ornament I will be keeping her forever as she melts my heart when she comes galloping when I call her.