Post by wendyp on Jan 28, 2007 21:45:50 GMT -5
I know this will probably get moved to the Health section, but I needed to know if anyone has dealt with this before?
Our daughters 23 year old Paint, Tonto, apparently had a stroke recently. I am posting this for a couple of reasons- one, so others might know what to look for, and also for advice if anyone has dealt with this..........
I noticed about a week ago, that Tonto looked like he was walking different - he tore a hamstring about 6 years ago, so his walk hasn't been totally normal, but this was different. On Wednesday, the farrier was scheduled, so I was lining up horses in corrals and I saw Tonto jog - he was crabbing, and could not go in a straight line. My first thought was he needed chiro work. I showed the farrier his movement, and we agreed to only trim him if it was comfortable for him, and safe for the farrier. Tonto leaned on Randy really heavily a couple of times on his hind trims, so we knew there was 'something' wrong. I called the Chiropractor who is also a DVM who specializes in accupuncture and eastern medicine. He was kind enough to come out yesterday, and he definitely thought it was a stroke.
Specifics: Tonto could not jog in a straight line, he drifted to the right as if doing a fancy dressage move, but he couldn't stop doing it. When he walks, his head is not in line with his tail, and if he is walking down a fenceline his head might be paralell with the fence, but his hindend is further away. When he tries to move to the left when walking, he crosses over in the front (this is really a red flag since it is a vulnerable position for a prey animal, and horses don't usually cross over when going forward).
I'm not sure anyone else would have noticed that there was anything wrong - it wasn't really obvious, but when you see a horse everyday, you get a 'feel' for when they are off. Needless to say, he can't be ridden anymore, and since we don't know if it is a brain tumor, or his heart, that caused the stroke, we really don't know how long he will last, or how quickly the problem will progress. He isn't to be put in a panel corral - the vet was afraid he might be more prone to casting himself. So we bought another shelter today, and Tonto will be a permanent pasture ornament. Our daughter is devastated - drove three hours home from college yesterday to see him - Tonto was her 4H and High School Equestrian team horse......and he truly is one of the best horses any one could hope to own. He is the horse that *anyone* can ride. We would have expected this to happen to Kelli's 35.5 year old mare, but not Tonto..............
I didn't even know horses had strokes - I just never thought about it. If anyone has tips on care, diet, or ? I'm open to anything that will keep him around for as long as possible........
Thanks for listening..........
WendyP/Bend, OR
Our daughters 23 year old Paint, Tonto, apparently had a stroke recently. I am posting this for a couple of reasons- one, so others might know what to look for, and also for advice if anyone has dealt with this..........
I noticed about a week ago, that Tonto looked like he was walking different - he tore a hamstring about 6 years ago, so his walk hasn't been totally normal, but this was different. On Wednesday, the farrier was scheduled, so I was lining up horses in corrals and I saw Tonto jog - he was crabbing, and could not go in a straight line. My first thought was he needed chiro work. I showed the farrier his movement, and we agreed to only trim him if it was comfortable for him, and safe for the farrier. Tonto leaned on Randy really heavily a couple of times on his hind trims, so we knew there was 'something' wrong. I called the Chiropractor who is also a DVM who specializes in accupuncture and eastern medicine. He was kind enough to come out yesterday, and he definitely thought it was a stroke.
Specifics: Tonto could not jog in a straight line, he drifted to the right as if doing a fancy dressage move, but he couldn't stop doing it. When he walks, his head is not in line with his tail, and if he is walking down a fenceline his head might be paralell with the fence, but his hindend is further away. When he tries to move to the left when walking, he crosses over in the front (this is really a red flag since it is a vulnerable position for a prey animal, and horses don't usually cross over when going forward).
I'm not sure anyone else would have noticed that there was anything wrong - it wasn't really obvious, but when you see a horse everyday, you get a 'feel' for when they are off. Needless to say, he can't be ridden anymore, and since we don't know if it is a brain tumor, or his heart, that caused the stroke, we really don't know how long he will last, or how quickly the problem will progress. He isn't to be put in a panel corral - the vet was afraid he might be more prone to casting himself. So we bought another shelter today, and Tonto will be a permanent pasture ornament. Our daughter is devastated - drove three hours home from college yesterday to see him - Tonto was her 4H and High School Equestrian team horse......and he truly is one of the best horses any one could hope to own. He is the horse that *anyone* can ride. We would have expected this to happen to Kelli's 35.5 year old mare, but not Tonto..............
I didn't even know horses had strokes - I just never thought about it. If anyone has tips on care, diet, or ? I'm open to anything that will keep him around for as long as possible........
Thanks for listening..........
WendyP/Bend, OR