21/08/2021
The horse in the picture looks well, doesn't he........ or does he?
I'm currently decompressing after another intensive, full horse, 3 day dissection with the internationally renowned Sharon May-Davis and her team Zefanja Vermeulen, Tina Fitzgibbon and Thirza Hendriks, organised with incredible efficiency by Lindsay Holder of Whole Horse Health.
Dissecting horse is not new to me - in fact it's a slight obsession! Why?
❗ Because as a rider, I used to spend most of my time trying to work out how to make the horse straighter, more athletic, jump cleanly, better.
❗ Because as a student Animal Physiotherapist, I pored over anatomy books, trying to remember muscle attachments, function, innervation.
❗ Because as an Animal Physiotherapist, I spend my life trying to work out the correlation between the horse's behaviour, movement, history and impact of owner/rider/management/equipment in order to make the correct decisions to improve the quality of life of the horse in front of me.
❗ Because EVERY horse's quality of life can be improved, whether that be by easing a ni**le, adjusting the exercise routine, or referring to a vet to investigate a suspected more serious problem.
This time was different. The horse was on the table was one that I have known well for 6 years. Teddy was bought as a hunter. He was already seriously compromised and only lasted 2 seasons with the new owner before being retired due to unsoundness. In the vet's words: "his body wouldn't cope with the amount of steroid needed to keep him comfortable". That's him in the picture, on summer holidays 4 years ago, just before he was retired.
I spent a lot of time just trying to keep him comfortable to do his job. We discovered that he had serious kissing spine and ringbone and sidebone in one forefoot. Other problems were evident, although not diagnosed, and he was retired. Recently it became evident that he was deteriorating and becoming very uncomfortable, so the decision was made to relieve him of his pain. His owner was kind enough to agree to allow us to investigate in the only way that truly exposes all the problems held within the body.
Teddy had numerous physical issues - this is a brief summary:
❌ On one side of his mouth, he had 7 upper and lower molars. The upper back one was horribly overgrown and eroding the opposing tooth. Horses should have 6 molars on each arcade. His mouth had been checked regularly by both EDT and vets - no-one had picked it up. With 6 molars on the other side, this already sets him up for asymmetry throughout his body, even if the overgrown one had been addressed
❌ Misalignment of C6 vertebrae and evidence of osteoarthritis and bony changes of the cervical vertebrae
❌ Joint erosion and inflammation of EVERY limb joint that was opened up
❌ Ruptured muscles, partial ruptures of tendons and ligaments
❌ Fused overlapping (lipping) of 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae bilaterally
❌ Significant pelvic asymmetry
❌ Sub-chondral bone cysts
❌ Ruptured hip ligaments - in the words of the very experienced lead dissector - the worst hip joints she's ever seen
The majority, if not all of these problems were there before the latest owner bought him, yet he continued to do his job with good nature and willingness.
I have retained his head, neck and pelvis, which will be cleaned and investigated thoroughly for asymmetries and bony changes.
It is through investigating like this that we truly become aware of the painful and performance-limiting conditions that our horses can carry, while trying to do all we ask of them. It is what opens our eyes to recognising dysfunctional movement patterns and recommending further diagnostic tests. It is a sharp reminder to never ignore abnormal behaviour, gait or posture.
Thank you Teddy, for being so good natured despite everything and helping us to understand why you couldn't be comfortable.
Teddy was 15, retired at 12. The average age of horses competing at the Olympics - at the top of their game - this year was 15. It looks like he was born with some asymmetries that were always going to limit his ability, but it is also apparent that he had suffered trauma at some point, and also been subjected to very poor management and riding, that had exacerbated his injuries.
Our horses welfare is our responsibility.
