Snickers and the mysterious hind end saga

So, many of you, I am sure, have seen my past pictures and videos. This time I hope this video is a little better. I actually got my daughter to ride her so I could video.

The most recent vet diagnosed her with a mild version of stringhalt. He said it would basically just be a handicap that she would learn to adapt to with her body. He did offer the suggestion of going to a specialist/surgeon to deny/confirm that diagnosis. He said it is definitely not wobblers or EPSM.

But still mysterious at this point.....

I'd love to hear from anyone with any further insight to this.

Ok guys, I'm having another chiro/massage therapist come mid-month. She has a great reputation....so I am giving her a try.

Odd....like there is an interruption between croup and feet....tail hanging rather lifeless too. Has she been checked for nerve damage? Have you checked into acupuncture? It's definitely not locking stifles
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Desert....Haven't done any accupuncture yet. I'm really hoping this chiro can help. She is highly recommended and I chatted with her online a bit after she reviewed this video. She is quite interested in this too. She disagrees with both vets dx so far. She knows the one that just gave the stringhalt dx. She also does TTouch and Craniosacral work. So, it's just another avenue. I can't just say, "Oh, I need to call a vet"...because the vets are just as much at a loss, except for this possible stringhalt dx.

The only time I thought there may be a locking stifle thing was when I was leading her down a hill and I saw the popping in them.

Today when she was walking, I noticed, for a moment, that it was almost like her hind fetlocks popped making her strides short. I just don't know. I wish a vet would be interested in the mystery and take on her care at their cost just to learn! I'd love to do a bone scan....once I save my pennies.

Desert.....nothing done to check for nerve damage yet either. She has good tail tone standing still and at the walk when the vet pulled on it for neuro issues. She never does the arab tail thing when running around, but she does move it around fine.

She moves a little like either no nerve impulses or only some, arriving down there, or not enough blood arriving.....a little like a flashlight flickers a little when not screwed together all the way.......serious lack of ideas to describe it on my part, sorry....
It seems to come from hip/croup/hamstrings, from what I can see. Her butt should go up and down when she walks. It doesn't, it stays "flat"
I might not see everything, I watch in my cell, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Thanks for trying Desert....it's just another something to think about....

Sorry

Would video taping her while she is walking out on a trail over uneven terrain help? Obviously, some type of definate diagnosis may not be in our reach, but maybe seeing how her hind end functions with different situations will make it easier to tell which parts are at least dysfunctional?...or not. Idk. I can't imagine a vet following me out on a trail...lol.

Just another reminder....I have always had 'wobblers' in the back of my mind since the day I bought her. However, she passes most of the physical tests and the vets say 'no'.

1. Back Withdrawl.....she does fine. The only time I have seen any squatting is when she gets a bath and the hose running cold water over her back/butt. I've seen many other horses do that too....so I've never been concerned.

2. Tail and anal tone....she is fine in those areas.

3. Panniculus/skin sensation....no problems there.

4. Mobility of the neck....no problems bending around with her neck and then walking off. I have noticed though, when she lifts her hind leg and bends around to scratch her face with it like a dog...that she can be thrown off balance sometimes where she has to start over.

5. Leg placement....this one is questionable. She will cross her legs and stand there and look like, "Sure, ok...if this is what you want me to do, I'm ok with it." I've seen other horses do this too, even on their own though. Snickers is one of those horses that you can mold and she just goes along with it....it's her personality....so not sure on this one.

6. Tail sway....she passes this fine.

7. Tight circles.....she does fine on the ground and under saddle with yielding. Nothing weird there.

8. Hills....I'm not too sure yet. I haven't had the chance to be behind her for this. I think I will get some help and video tape here.

9. Free exercise.....Well, this is where ??? May come in....she used to bunny hop at the canter a year ago. I don't really see it any longer. Her trot is obviously funny. Almost, at times, like her hind legs hit the ground just after her front ones, not in rythm...but sometimes she has rythm. When she is really moving in the trot and even canter and holdiing it well, she is very smooth, almost arabish? Then, when she slows down, it all falls apart. She does knuckle over on occasion.

10. Hopping...I don't remember this one.

11. Blindfold....Hmmmmm....I did ride her with a tarp on her head the other day, but only at the walk. I am going to try the blindfold and lead her around.