Nerve Damage?

Hi there, I am considering adopting a TB mare that had a pasture incident. She was rolling in the pasture and rolled down a hill when trying to get back up she seemed to struggle a bit but seemed sound when checked out and walked back to stall for the night. In the morning she was found leaning up against the stall for balance and walks with a lean. However she trots and canters in a straight line. 2 large animal vets have looked at her, and they were not able to diagnose anything. They found no swelling or heat ect. They have advised that they don't know what is wrong with her but do not feel that massage therapy or an equine chiropractor would make any difference. The current owner is considering having her put down, but I am still wondering if there is anything that can help her she does not seem to be in any pain ect and I would hate to see this beautiful mare put to sleep just because she can't compete any longer. Any thoughts as to treatments or ideas as to a diagnosis?

Thanks in advance

Have they done X-rays or any other diagnostics to see if anything is impinging on the spine? Are you wanting a pasture puff, or a riding horse? I honestly would not expect to buy her as a riding horse in case there is something just a hair out of place that slips and something tragic happens. If you just want a pasture puff that's a different story - just be prepared to put her down if and/or when she starts showing worsening symptoms.
A couple of things to keep in mind - you likely would never be able to sell this mare; if you for some reason cannot keep her, I may suggest putting her down - you cannot guarantee a home after you. Of she ends up sold on and on from yourself, she may well end up in a can by no fault of her own. So you would either have to be in it for the long haul, or step back now and allow her to pass.
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Thanks for your reply. I really don't have much more info than what I posted. The owner of the rescue and I are going to take a look at her in the next day or two. The rescue will take her if she can live pain free and just be a pature puff lol but if she can be helped I will pay for the cost of rehab and adopt her either way if she comes into the rescue she will have a forever home until she can be adopted with a contract to be returned if no longer wanted or just as a permanent resident and I will prob sponser her.

Has the owner offered this horse to you?

If so, it's entirely up to you if you want to go ahead and put the money into trying to rehab her.

However, are you prepared to do the right thing should she not be able to be rehabbed? Being a pasture puff can be a misery for a horse who has a spinal or neurological issue.

If you can go into this with your eyes wide open and realize the animal may be better off put down even after all your efforts, then fine. If you think she'd prefer to live out her life even in pain and stress, then do her a favor and don't take her.

No we would def not in anyway put the animal under stress or cause pain. As I said she is pain free so far the vets just can't figure out what is wrong with her. We will go evaluate her and if she seems stressed or in pain, we will recomend euthanization as that is what is best for the mare. I am well prepared to do what ever is best for her. If her quality of life is not one that will ensure she is happy and pain free I would not want to be what stood in the way of her peace. Horses are meant to move and not to just stand in one place or be in constant pain or under constant stress. Anything I do will always be in the best interest of the animal. My reason for posting here is to see what other options may be recomended and then try to come up with a plan of treatment if any is possible. If not then we will do what is best for the horse. FYI neither vet recomended putting her down. They just can't figure out what the issue is.

Personally I co-run a rescue with 17 pasture puffs, each with their own series of issues making them unusable by the masses. But none of them are currently at the point where they need to be put down.

If she is able to stand and walk and eat and graze without pain or trauma there is no reason she can't be a pasture puff.

IMO there are many times you need to put down an animal, when their suffering is too much, when they themselves have truly given up, when you and no one else can afford to prolong their difficult life - BUT it is not acceptable to put down any animal just because they are inconvenient. Seems to me like she needs you in her life. :)

Thanks we are going to do our best for her. Just because she can't be ridden to compete at the level she has been dosn't mean she should be put down. If she gets to a point where she is stressed or in pain and there is nothing we can do to help with that then we would of course do the humane thing for her but as long as she is relatively happy she will have a herd and lots of pasture to roam and lots and lots of love

Subbing - I would like to hear to outcome (and am hoping for a good one).