Does anyone have any experience of horses with this? I'm more interested in horses that have the operation to fix it and whether or not they went on to live normal lives and do a normal job.
I had the vet out today for Star. At 6 months old she got a slight sticky stifle, it wasn't bad and the vets said just let her live out and she'll sort it herself. It was fine but a couple of weeks ago it came back worse than ever. She's doing it with both legs now and is literally dragging her back leg before it clicks back. So I called the vet out and told them something needed to be done, she's nearly two now and we've done exactly as the vet suggested but she's not managed to come right by herself.
The vet came out and agreed our only option is the operate on both back legs. She isn't insured as because we lost a horse nearly 2 years ago (never claimed on insurance for him, covered all bills ourselves. Long story!) every insurance company put a whopping extra fee on top of what they already wanted us to pay so instead we put money in a bank account each month to pay for vets bills (i'm a BHS gold member for public liability etc)
So my vet went away to talk to the nearest equine vet clinic who have facilities to operate and is coming back with a quote for the operation but before than she's got to have x-rays to check for bone damage.
Obviously as soon as we've spoken to the vet she'll be down to have the x-rays (and then surgery) as soon as we can get her booked in. Depending on what them vets think/x-rays will depend on whether or not the surgery happens but for now I can't think that far ahead. I'm trying to keep positive.
My worry is that Star was bred to Event, bought for Dressage. I've read as much as I can find online but thats not a lot and I hate for her to never be able to have a job, being written off at 2 is no life for any horse. She's miserable at the moment, she loves being with me and doing things. She loves going for walks, being fed, being groomed etc and I know shes going to love having a job when shes older. I would never contemplate putting a horse to sleep purely because it can't do the job I want. Anyone who knows me from when I had Jimbo knows that is the truth.
I'm just looking for some positive responses/experiences. I've owned Star since she was 2 days old (I saw her at an hour old!) and that filly is my pride and joy. I'd do anything for her and being in this situation is my worst nightmare. She was born 1 hour after I said my final goodbye to Jimbo and I swear she was a gift from him. My little sport horse filly with 4 white socks.
