Gem's Vet visit

So Tom and I spent 2 hours at the stable with Gem today. Gem has some lower lumbar pain (most likely from what he's done in the past along with an ill fitting saddle, The saddles we have used on him, have fit him fine, so we know it's not us. It was most likely when he was a trail/lesson horse)
And he has some sensitivity in his right front hoof. And he has arthiritis in his hocks, and right knee. The vet said that was a big cause for him to buck. So i'm actually glad he did buck me off, or else we never would have found this info out.
So we're starting him on bute for about 3 weeks to see if there's any improvement. He's going to get hand walked 3x a week too. Tom has officially retired Gem from any more saddle work. It's very upsetting. He's only 8 too.
The vet said that he really is young to be having all this arthritise and thinks the problem is whatever he did before we purchased him.

So that's what's going on with Mr. Gem. But at least we know why he was acting the way he was. It's such a shame though

I am sorry to hear! You are right though, it is good that you found out and now know what is best for him. What are his long term plans?

Well we're just looking like a few weeks down the road right now.

But we just want him to be comfortable, that's all. We have no problem not riding him and just playing with him on the ground.

But I guess his long term plan is just to get better. Maybe up to the point were he could possible have a rider on him again. I don't know.

He's my fiance's horse, so i'm letting him decide what he wants to do. But I know we're not going to sell him all because he can't be ridden. I wouldn't let him anyways

I am not rich, by any means, but I know that it would be difficult to give up a horse who you have worked hard to bond with b/c of medical reasons. I pay to board and if my Fella went lame, I would try to figure out how I could keep him boarded and make mu husband okay with it!

I didn't know if Gem's condition would allow him to be ridden again without pain! I like your attitude!

Yeahh. If his back is sore and was hurt from ill fitting saddles and his hocks, I wouldn't want to jeopardize it.

It really hit my fiance when we were coming home from work. He read up on the condition and everything and wants to make sure Gem is in top shape for the rest of his life. Whatever it takes he said.

We're going to be looking into a lot of options to help him out

I have an old arthritic dog we put on Cetyl M its done wonders for her. I think they make if for horses too.

Appylover

I'm so terribly sorry that this happened to poor Mr. Gem Bar. It's a shame as he is such a young horse. Did the vet say if he thought he would ever be usable again? That just breaks my heart

((((Big hug, to you and Mr Gem Bar))))

Thanks Vida. I'll look into it.

Well the vet didn't really say if he'd be able to be ridden again. I think at this point he was just giving us options. Obviously the more expensive the meds are, the faster Gem will feel better and so on. But that's like over $1000 every 6 months for injections. It has steroids and other stuff in it too. The vet said that's mostly used for like horses that are undergoing training. But I think Tom wants to go that route just to relieve the pain he's in.

I'm just really glad Tom and I bought him last year when we did. Who knows what shape he'd be in now if he was still a lesson/trail horse

Ahh...I see.

You have such a great attitude about it! Some people would be kicking themselves in the butt for buying that horse! But you are glad you did That's great that you love him so much Appy!

Yeahh I know! Well he's such a sweetie, and I just feel horrible for riding him, and like this past summer we'd lunge him and stuff to get him into shape. And after like 2 laps around the round pen, he'd just stop. And nothing could make him move. Tom picked up the lunge whip and whipped the ground by him and he just stood there. I guess he would have rathered to take any pain from the whip than the pain that was already going on with him.

I just want him to get better and finally act like a silly little 8 year old.