Worrying news

[harveydales]

I had some worrying news concerning Harvey this evening. As some of you know, I've had some vet visits over the weekend to see to Winnie's eye injury. While the vet was here I asked for her to take some blood samples from Harvey for muscle enzyme analysis. His enzymes had been gradually improving since his tying up episodes last summer. I have been carefully bringing him back into work since the autumn and he has been fine; thoroughly enjoying having something do do and think about. I really thought we were over the worst now.

The results came back showing raised enzymes again, worse than those from samples last autumn although better than when he was really bad in the summer. Although he hasn't had the genetic test for EPSM, the vet thinks this does confirm he has the condition. She feels I should only exersise gently for now even though he seems absolutely fine in himslef, physically and mentally. I was planning on doing a small pelasure ride on Sunday but my vet thinks I should hold fire.

It is so hard to know what to do for the best. Harvey loves his work but does let me know when he's had enough so I wouldn't push him too far. He gets bad tempered and miserable when he's not in work. If I hadn't had him tested, I would have gone ahead as planned as he really is fit and keen to work. Such a dilemna. I wonder how many of our ponies would show similar if tested for this condition?

Right now I am feeling confused and not sure what to do for the best for Harvey...........

[tinkerdorisalison]

Pam, really feel for you and Harvs. Like you say, its hard to know, if tested, how many of our ponies would show differing levels of enzymes at different times - whether EPSM or not

I feel that regular gentle steady exercise must be more advantageous than nothing

[jay]

Sorry I haven't got any advice, as I don't feel I know enough about the condition, but I just wanted to send you and Harvey a big hug

I think, especially as Harvey enjoys his work so much, that the regular gentle exercise will be good for him - not just physically, but mentally. As you say, he lets you know when he's had enough.

[carolinec]

I'm so sorry Pam, it must be very worrying for you
Personally, I think you know Harvey best and if he's "up for work" then a reasonable amount of exercise may be the best therapy for him. xx

[zeldalithgow]

Oh Pam what a worry for you . I think I would follow the vets advice for now, would it be ok to do a bit of ground work with him like the horse agility stuff www.thehorseagilityclub.com/how-to-get-started.html to keep him happy

[dalesponyrider]

Oh heck Pam! That is horribly confusing. I am not informed enough to be able to offer advice but know in my heart that you will always do the best for Harvey and you are the person who knows him inside out. I would trust you to make the right decision for him. Trust your instincts day by day. X

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[dalesponyrider]

Oh heck Pam! That is horribly confusing. I am not informed enough to be able to offer advice but know in my heart that you will always do the best for Harvey and you are the person who knows him inside out. I would trust you to make the right decision for him. Trust your instincts day by day. X

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[valerie n scout]

oh Pam what a worry X huge hugs X

[heathera]

It's awful isn't it When my old TB mare had to retire from ridden work she became difficult to handle and was really bored. With Drummer we were doing gentle and slow horse agility and groundwork right up to the day he was pts as he was offering to do it and wanted to come into the playpen (AKA arena).

I think I'd not want to do the pleasure ride in case the fun of the ride and the adrenalin over rode Harvey's normal signs of becoming physically tired but I wouldn't stop riding him. Possibly just do a gentle hack at home along the lines of what you've been doing already. The problem is if his enzymes are so high already it's possibly only a matter of time before he ties up again and that's harder to come back from.

Could you ease him right back for a couple of weeks to just groundwork, in hand hacking and stretches and then run the bloods again? That might let you know what he is physically OK with a bit better.

[cadeby]

Oh heck Pam, that's a huge dilemma. I'd be inclined to go with the vet, abandon the pleasure ride and test again in a few weeks time after a reduced exercise regime - just a few short, slow hacks each week to try and keep his mind occupied? That would hopefully give you a comparative assessment of his enzyme levels, ie. enzymes at fit condition versus enzymes at ticking-over condition, so you could make more informed choices as to what he is capable of physiologically (rather than mentally, bless him) in the future.

We had exactly the same dilemma with our Shire William who suffered from EPSM in his later years. He was fit and raring to go and created a heck of a fuss when we took other horses out to work rather than him. It's not easy

[harveydales]

Sensible advice, Helen and Heather. Yes, I will give the pleasure ride a miss in case adrenalin takes over. The last pleasure ride I did was 2 or 3 weeks ago and of the 4 in our group, I would say Harvey was by far the fittest and didn't get at all puffed or slow down. But I guess fitness isn't a guage of muscle enzyme status.

Helen, interesting about your old lad William. I can't understand why this is suddenly happening after 10 years if it is a genetic thing. I would have expected it to show up much sooner. I've just finnished grooming Harvs and he is raring to go. He just loves serious work.

I will stick to gentle hacking - trouble is Harvey hates just hacking around here. He prefers it if I take him out in the trailer, as when I visit Sheila and Jaycee. I can walk a bit in hand with him but can't do much because of my ankle problems.

[leannwithconnie]

Pam go with your gut instinct...you know Harvey better than anyone [even the Vet]...whatever you decide will be the right choice....If little Winnie hadn't hurt his eye then you wouldn't have requested that blood test and still have made your riding plans accordingly because Harvey seems OK..

I think what I am trying to say but badly is don't frighten yourself unnecessarily......his next blood test could show they have come down again....

When Connie was so ill a couple of years ago it took me ages to really believe that the condition wouldn't come back as one vet had advised me that it usually reoccurs within 9 months or so and I was reluctant to put her back into work...but then another person advised me that I knew her best and said Connie would let me know if she is not feeling OK and he was right.

Believe in yourself Pam and you will make the right choices for Harvey even if it means him taking things easy for a little while again.

[harleydales]

Only just seen this - been offline for a few days.

I know Harvey is slightly different to Harley in that Harls HAS got EPSM, but his enzymes are always raised as well.

From what I have gleaned, and from my own experiences over the last year, constant andconsistant exercise is good - they are best kept going rather than dropped offa nd picked up again - which is why I've left Harley well alone since November, as I can't ride him regularly enough to gain any benefit. What Harley can't seem to handle now is a blast - he will trot and trot, but where he used to fly up a field in gallop, he now sets off with great gusto, but then tails off, puffing, about half way up - and I just let him do as he pleases. Even with another horse he will pack in and go back to a good walk.

I don't know why it kicks in all of a sudden - Harley was 13 when it struck him down.

You WILL know if you are asking too much - Harvey likes to be active and I think is forward going, so he will soon tell you if he's doing too much - Harley is very full of it and forward, but I know when he's not right and he will back off and take things steady.

Harley driops muscle and topline VERY quickly now, which he never used to do - muscle is easier to build on existing muscle which is another reason for keeping him ticking over - last Spring I had to start Harley again from scratch, and it took 4 months for his muscles and topline to improve!

Don't panic, and don't be despondant. I got Harley back up to a good fitness level last year, where he did a 15 mile pleasure ride with absolutely no problems at all, and I honestly believe you will do the same with Harvey. It all just takes a bit longer, and a bit more listening to what they are telling you. This time last year I thought Harley was finished, but he's doing OK - he'll never perform again like he used to, but he can still hack out, still do pleasure rides, and I can still enjoy him allbeit at a different level.

Big hugs, pm or phone if you want to chat about it xx

[cutemangurdi1]

Oh, Pam, how worrying for you. I'm so sorry.

I feel like Leanne, you know Harvey so well and you are so in tune with how he feels that I belive you will pick up when he isn't on form and know when to back off. Trust your instincts.

I think you are right to miss the pleasure ride this time, but did the vet say he could travel in a trailer? If so, why not to gentle hacks with friends given Harvey gets bored hacking at home?

I will ring you, but if there is anything I can do to help, just call.

[dalesponyrider]

I obviously NEED to get better quickly and get back in the saddle! Gentle rides, tickled coffees and putting the world to rights needed urgently by the sound of it!!!