mystery injuries. desperate, please help!

Ill make this as short as possible. About 2 months ago, my mare was found hung up in panels, she was almost dead. Her body was twisted, front legs tucked up and laying on her left shoulder. Her back legs were stuck up in the second or third rung, making her hips almost flat, like on her back. She had 5 weeks off, and seemed fine after. I came home to visit and got on her, thinking she was fine. She rode out ok, a little stiff to the left (normal for her.) the next day, she had weird wounds directly on the back of her hocks. Both hocks were missing all the skin and hair. Couldnt figure out why. Tried to ride her a week later, she had quite the attitude, was very stiff, and refused to do certain things. After the ride, I noticed her left shoulder was completely tweaked!! Moments later, she was resting (not sleeping) and her back legs went straight out from under her, again riping open her hocks. This has happened 3 times now, I have not been on her since. She is very tense just setting a saddle on to check the fit. Vet/chiropractor saw her and has no idea whats going on. Please help. Its not epm, thinking maybe kissing spines, or something serious involving her spinal cord. She has a "hunters bump" and all the muscles around her loin are extremely spasmed and painful. Ideas??

Oh my god I have nothing to offer except prayers.. I really hope you get this mystery solved and you get peace of mind soon...


Lots and lots of hugs <3

Wow, no idea either. So sorry you are going through this. Does this have anything to do with her being stuck in the panels or does being stuck have to do with a problem she has had?? Kinda the chicken or the egg thing. I am clueless, sorry!

Did you get the okay from your vet to ride her? I wouldn't do any work with her until you get a very thorough check by the vet and find out exactly what is wrong with her and let her heal completely.

Thank you guys. At first, vet said to ride her a few days later...now he's sayin at least 3 months off. I am definitely getting a second opinion. As you can read by my horses profile thingy, she is my world!!! I've heard everything from vets all over the state. From muscle disorder, to fractured vertebrae/pelvis or adult on set narcolepsy....who knows :( prayers are much appreciated

I'd be really worried about her legs giving out and her hocks busting open.... something must have seriously went awry when she managed to tangle herself up.

How long have you owned her?? :/

WOW poor horse. Both legs go out from under her?? That's scary. I have no idea but I think I would have an exray of her hips? Since she was in such a difficult position re her hips when you found her I think I would start there. Did vet do any exrays because if she has some sort of fracture or dislocate it would begin to heal with rest and then riding her too soon would cause a terrible flare up. Hope you figure her out.

Ive owned her for almost 10 years. We havent done any xrays or anything yet, the closest place that does spinal xrays is about 4 hours away. And yes, both rear legs go out at the same time.

I'd get her in for x-rays... we have a two horses who have been diagnosed with kissing spines (amazingly both by the same sire...) and they both received corticosteroid injections into the back. They are also to have at least 30 min walking prior to being ridden and to avoid trotting.

I have no knowledge to give on this, but truly hope your mare recovers! I'd also be curious about her hips and get the x-ray to do some confirmation on possibly what her accident might have done long term.

Unfortunately it seems that even 2nd,3rd, 4th opinions are needed on some things to even get a general idea of what's going on. And even then, they might ALL have a different diagnosis and suggestion as to recovery.

So sorry you're having to go through this frustrating trial.