My horse runs today!

This topic was created in the Miscellaneous forum by lildol on Saturday, September 17, 2011 and has 16 replies.

Profile picture of tamara
@tamara
19 Years1,000+ Posts

Too superstitious to say those words before a horse race! Instead,

(??`v—?)
.`??.??.—? —
??.——.——) ??.??*??)
(??.—? (??.—? .—? —?.——`??.— SHOWING LOVE —

Profile picture of Skykomish
@Skykomish
15 Years1,000+ PostsScorpio

Apparently my horse decided to be a Lipizzaner today.

Profile picture of lildol
@lildol
17 Years5,000+ Posts

He broke good but apparently had some breathing difficulties. Early on we noticed some breathing issues, but they cleared up after we treated him for for a respiratory infection and EPM. At that point in time was suggested we take him to a clinic where they can scope him while working him to determine if his breathing issues were the result of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) as he scoped fine in the stall. We opted not to do that and just treat him. He also had fewer issues if the rider didn't choke him back and just let him go at his own pace (which is to always just go), I think this was part of the problem on Sat; he was choked back to conserve energy and in doing so effected his breathing - he should have been allowed to stay on the lead is my thinking, but that is just speculation and may have not made a difference. However, we had him scoped again today and this new Vet who looked at him does see evidence of DDSP and is recommending surgery which now means we will not run again until Dec.

😢

Profile picture of ReallyNiceAriesPerson
@ReallyNiceAriesPerson
16 Years1,000+ Posts

Posted by lildol
He broke good but apparently had some breathing difficulties. Early on we noticed some breathing issues, but they cleared up after we treated him for for a respiratory infection and EPM. At that point in time was suggested we take him to a clinic where they can scope him while working him to determine if his breathing issues were the result of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) as he scoped fine in the stall. We opted not to do that and just treat him. He also had fewer issues if the rider didn't choke him back and just let him go at his own pace (which is to always just go), I think this was part of the problem on Sat; he was choked back to conserve energy and in doing so effected his breathing - he should have been allowed to stay on the lead is my thinking, but that is just speculation and may have not made a difference. However, we had him scoped again today and this new Vet who looked at him does see evidence of DDSP and is recommending surgery which now means we will not run again until Dec.

😢

WHY do they do that? Why not let him run where he is comfortable? I always figure it is a waste of energy snagging them back or (worse still) hunting them to the lead.
Surely a relaxed horse working in his comfort zone is a better shot at having gas left in the tank where it counts—

If he hasn't had breathing probs in his fast work prior to the race it seems odd that it is suddenly reappearing.
What bedding is he on? Are any of his neighbors (ha! little horsey joke) suffering similar symptoms?
Can he live outside in the fresh air?

Profile picture of lildol
@lildol
17 Years5,000+ Posts

The breathing problem has never completely gone away since he was treated for a respiratory infection and it was thought he was intermittently flipping his soft palate resulting in not being able to get enough air. This was only speculation and really was only an issue if he was choked down (held back) during a work out which is something they are taught as you can't just let them do what they want (not in training and not in a race). Allowing them to go all out can actually be detrimental to the horse depending on track conditions, weather conditions, what horses in company are doing, etc.