How many of you ride horses with health issues?

K

Kimo

New Member
Jan 12, 2006
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Midwest, U.S.
www.4thehorses.com
I'm interested in learning how many of you ride horses you know have health problems? And how you deal with it?

My mare is 17 and has COPD. I don't ride when she flares up and then I medicate her. It never bothers me if I can't ride. I'm only concerned with her health.

She also has atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. So, I don't ride her hard or fast, or in too hot/cold weather. We're not allowed to jump. But, surprisingly, she does need steady, slow exercise--even daily!!!! I haven't gotten there yet.
 
Dolly has atrial fibrilation too... but then you knew that!

Once I finally get a saddle that fits, I'll be doing lots of short, slow work sessions to get her fitness up. Haven't really had any advice other than that about riding her/taking into account her heart... I take it from your post they shouldn't be worked when it's too hot or cold?

As for not jumping...:eek: ... Dolly was showjumping 1m20 and doing XC with her old owners last summer... surprised her heart stood it!
 
Another heart issue here, Megan has a hole in her heart as many of you know. We have to exercise her but not drive her into the ground.
 
My 18 year old mare has spavin, but I ride her very rarely as I have retired her on the grounds that she is just not up to the work she used to be.
 
My gelding has anhidrosis.
That means he doesn't sweat enough to cool his body sufficiently. We make him more comfortable by giving him access to his stall whenever he wants to. He has a livestock fan in there and a mister which cools it down nicely.
As for riding we don't ride during the day in the summer anymore but rather shift exercise to early morning or night.
 
Cherry did a rear flexor tendon last March and has been on a year's recovery programme starting with 3m box rest then gentle walking building up to periods of trotting. She is "officially" allowed to canter the day after tomorrow but has been making a mockery of my gentle exercise regime by galloping and bucking round the field with high jinks! :D

I am VERY wary of doing anything to put a strain on her back leg so we will never do jumping competitions or anything like that, it's just not worth the risk..... if only she could talk, she could tell me whether she still gets any jip from it these days... failed her flexion on that bad leg when vetted at purchase in November but I don't care... I love her the way she is and I would never do anything to knowingly cause her pain. I let her take the lead in the speed stakes and never push her.
 
Apart from bilateral bone spavin which has been managed and hopefully won't now be an issue, she has also been diagnosed with navicular. I was devestated initially, but following treatment and specialist shoeing came right. Coming into the third year now. Last year had one small flare up which was treated and so far she has been fine. Don't curtail her activities, just try not to do too much hard road work - difficult as she is a carriage horse and most of her work is on the road. I curtail her endless trot and ask for the walk, so try and even it up as much as poss. Worry though. L
 
It's great to hear about such wonderful people and horses working to make things possible such as riding and so on...

Needed some inspiration to keep my chin up. The soon-to-be-arriving warmer weather is making me fear more COPD problems. But, I'll deal with it and it'll be okay. :)
 
My horse has locking stifles. She needs to be ridden lots to keep her mobile, to live out (despite being mostly TB!!), and to have as much muscle built up on her quarters as I can get. Having her barefoot helps too, as it's easier for her to cope when they do lock. It bothers her lots when her legs are bad, and it makes me ride when I otherwise wouldn't. I love her to bits though and wouldn't change a thing.
 
Ring bone here! It stops us from nothing tho :) I have arthritis myself - so we do what we can together and love every minute. I am hoping to start competing in Endurance this year despite it.
Oh and heaves.. I always forget that one. LOL whatever. I bought him knowing full well he had these problems and have never ever looked back
 
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