Presenting Concern:
Olive is a 13 year old OTTB. She had been out of work for approximately 2 months when she was purchased by her new family. After purchase, she began training 4 days per week (flat work). Once in consistent work, Olive began exhibiting changes in her behavior. She would hollow her back under saddle and even bolted several times with Laura’s daughter riding her. She struggled severely with holding her hind limbs in flexion for a trim. She would rear and run backwards with the farrier, and required sedation just to keep the farrier safe. Laura reached out to see if Olive could be helped, as she had developed a reputation of being unpredictable and explosive.
- Symmetrical atrophy of the neck
- Soreness to palpation of the poll
- Topline poorly developed
- Sensitivity to touch in withers and low back – would collapse with moderate palpation
- Carpal wobble
- Severe pain to palpation of the sacroiliac region (would nearly collapse)
- Inflammation of both stifles
- Mild lameness of LH with squared toe (toe ticks)
- Abnormal neck placement
- Flighty with severe anxiety
Diagnostics:
Radiographs of Olive’s thoracic and lumbar spine were taken to rule out kissing spines. Radiographs revealed close dorsal spinous processes but no active “kissing spines.” Olive’s back and pelvis were treated using ultrasound guided injections. Significant remodeling of a lumbar articular facet was discovered and treated directly. Scar tissue in the back was also addressed at the time of treatment. Olive was sent home to begin her rehabilitation program.
Olive returned for step 2 of her treatment. This included injections of her neck and brachial plexus. We followed up with several shock wave treatments of her thoracic sling.
Results:
A rehabilitation plan was developed specifically for Olive. Her owners were diligent in following our recommendations. They kept a journal of Olive’s progress. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, but they continued to push through.
Week by week, Olive continued to improve. She had a professional saddle fit consultation along the way. We received a video of Olive standing quietly for the farrier, and also recently received news that Olive is back under saddle and has a new outlook on life. Her entire personality has changed. Her owner sent us this message:
“You saved Olive’s life and we couldn’t be more grateful. We are all amazed how well she is doing now and so many people have mentioned how “calm” she is. Never in a million years would I have thought Olive and the word calm would be in the same sentence. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!!”
We want to use this blog to highlight the clinical importance of owner compliance in the rehabilitation of these horses. We have never encountered such dedicated owners. Their teenage daughter demonstrated such maturity and determination to get Olive back to soundness. Rehabilitation is a CRITICAL component to success in these cases. We are thankful that they trusted us to care for Olive in her darkest days.