Coping With Stringhalt

[alfie1410]

Hi Everyone, my 5 year old IDxTB suffers from Stringhalt in her Off Side Hind, I've had her since she was 3 and so far it does not seem to affect her adversely, also once she's warmed up it seems to disappear.

I just wondered if anyone else has any experience of stringhalt and if you feel it has affected your horse in any way?

I have a lot of "knowledgeable" people say "did you know that horse is lame?" but was placed by a County Level Judge in an in hand competition, he told me that the stringhalt was not detrimental in any way and should not affect any judging of confirmation or any work she is asked to do.

Anyone else have similar experiences? I seem to own the only horse in Derbyshire that has stringhalt!

[teabiscuit]

my 17 hh 3/4 tb, 1/4 shire gelding has shivers, which is related to stinghalt. we berd him and noticed it first when he was about 1 and 1/2 to 2 years old. its stayed more or less the same and certainly doesn't affect him in any way at all when it comes to his ridden work. his leg shakes a bit for the farrier but nothing too bad and if he's given a bucket of food to take his mind off it the shaking lessens :confused:
David H's horse Ed has a shiver, he told me that Pippa Funnels eventer Supreme Rock also has a shiver. people tend to say "thats awful-only worth the meat money" and other such encouraging gems that really get you down if you listen, so don't listen is my best advice. enjoy your horse and ignore the doom mongers (no offence to anyone meant here)
any way my brother has my horse as they match perfectly, and he and his girlfriend have done much more with him than i ever would have the time to do. they win at dressage, my brother cross countrys with him and they both showjump him. he also does four and a half hour fun rides with no probs.he's very fit, healthy and well. they looked into the best diet for him and found out about a high fat diet- not sure about details, when he was with me he got what the rest got and the shiver didn't get worse.
the horse is adorable and enthusiastic and a pleasure to be around, his shiver just doesn't get noticed most of the time.
so good luck with yours, don't let the doom mongers get to you :)

[alfie1410]

Hi teabiscuit, thanks for the positive reply, i've just scared myself reading a thread from April 2003 that wasn't very encouraging at all.

I've competed in some dressage and got really good comments from all the judges, and plan to jump (once I've regained my nerve!).

I don't personally know any other horse that has stringhalt/shiver so its good to find someone who's just "getting on with it".

The stringhalt never crossed my mind as being a problem until "those in the know" starting commenting about it, and marking her down, but the stringhalt has not been highligted at all in any dressage I've done either affiliated or unaffiliated.

Thanks again.

[teabiscuit]

i got on my soapbox a bit in my post - i'm sorry about that:o
its just something i feel strongly about.
hope you end up on the cover of H&H on your mare, she sounds lovely :)

[Shadowlark]

I don't own, but know of 2 horses around our area with Stringhalt - one in his teens who has had it since being a baby, the other in his 20's who developed it late.
The one hin his teens, runs barrels cattle pens AND teachs lessons He is a big kind horse who doesn't realize he has a problem :)
The older horse is still doing barrels for fun with little kids and still acts like a big idiot despite his age and the problem.

LOL not sure if that makes you feel any better - but both those horses are wonderful contributing members of our horsey society ;)

[teabiscuit]

lovely stories shadowlark, thanks for them :)

[Forever~Autumn]

I had a 18hh Clydesdale that had stringhalt - it never prevented him from doing anything! He used to thump his feet down when he walked, and sometimes it was like he forgot to put a leg down when turning from a standstill - sort of turn, pause, thump. In trot and canter he was fine - no thumping, but slightly shortened stride on his more affected leg.

My vet said he would not fail him at a vetting, just point it out to potential buyers.

[becs]

I used to help with RDA where we used an aged pony with stringhalt who coped fine. Us ignorant ones asked about it at first, and the attitude was "don't worry".

[Agrossgreen]

Some of you have mentioned that your older horses with stringhalt were totally fine and happy. I'd love to know more as there is a 13yr old that I"m really keen to buy who has it in his hind leg in walk only. My biggest concern is that it will cause him so much trouble as he gets old, like arthritis or something. Is that a sensible concern?

[poohsmate]

i used to jump a smashing horse a few years ago that had stringhalt, and his owner used to do dressage with him and it never bothered him at all.:D