EPSM?

[Katelyn]

OKay - please bear with me - trying to give as much info as possible!!

I went to look at a really nice mare this weekend (actually 2)

One has a strong show record in eventing up to Training Level.
Dressage scores mid 60s to low 70s.
Beautiful mover
TBx - they're not sure what (she looks TB with a sort of clunky head)

BUT

Mare hasn't been in consistent work since March.
She looks pretty awful.
I have 4 horses sitting here in my yard, not in work and 3 are round and shiny. This mare looks a lot like my 19yr mare who has been lame since she was 9.

This mare's hindquarters look king of wasted,
loin connection very weak and prominent,
significant dip in front of the withers,
pretty significant dip along where the panels of the saddle would sit.

BUT, she continues to move beautifully.

Girl rides her for 10 min in an easy, stretchy warmup.
Lots of walk, some very nice stretchy trot, and a tiny bit of canter (like 1.5 loops each way)

Mare is sweated and blowing

Boyfriend walks her for 15 min.
She drags along behind and THEN LAYS DOWN!!

Jo Ann and I thought she was going to roll (saddle and all), but she just laid there, like a horse in the sunshine. (we were in an indoor)

Girl goes over and gets her up like nothing happened.
Mare seems fine.
Walks some more and girl says "oh - she always lays down. She's so laid back, so she's comfortable anywhere"

I ride for barely 5 minutes, just to see what she feels like after driving 7 hrs to see her....

She needs strength, but is kind and willing.
Lets me help scoop up her back for canter.
Trot and canter are forward and light
walk is like riding a dead donkey (bad habit?)

Ground manners are lovely other than dragging behind being lead.
picks up feet no problem, hind legs no problem.
a touch girthy when girth tightened.

R hind hock has a bit of a twist when moving walk and trot, but she appears completely sound, just VERY out of shape, especially for a TB.

So...CC mentioned her Dancer had EPSM and would lie down a lot after work. I did some research and she does have some muscle wasting, but doesn't have trouble with back legs, backing, etc.

Any ideas would be very appreciated b/c I did like the mare!
(Thanks for hanging in there, if you read the entire thing ;D )

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Have you seen this site?
www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/epsm.htm

I think a diet low in NSC's is key for these guys.

Hmmm... if you really like her have her vetted and if it's something you're willing to deal with then negotiate with the owners on the price. Phooey... I hope it works out for you.

[Katelyn]

Yep - I checked it out last night!

She fits some of the symptoms and not others... - ?? -

She's on a feed called Safeway Carb (I think?) - so they're already feeding toward that, but not feeding the alfalfa or oil.

The girl said she had a full workup, including blood and radiographs each year before starting the season and none of the vets had a concern about how laid back she is or the lying down.

So - what does everyone think?
EPSM? Something else?

[deheresmint]

Lying down after being ridden in the ring is just 'not right.' Poor mare. What a kind, tolerant soul she must be. I would ask to discuss the horse with their vet and for that matter your vet. EPSM is treatable. I had a draftX with borderline symptoms and the vet recommended Dr Valentine's 20% fat and alfalfa diet. He thrived on that diet. I hope it's something treatable..what BHK said.

[ZenRider]

I think you should keep looking.
There is something not right with a horse that will lay down with a rider aboard. Perhaps suggest to them trying an EPSM diet and check on her in a few months. Otherwise, she almost sounds like a horse I looked at with my mother, which my best guess is had a pelvic injury at some time, whether her owner know it or not. She dragged her hind feet too, but after watching her being lunged didn't feel the need to ride her no matter how far we drove. She was nice and calm too, but when a horse has pain issues it can take a lot of wind out of their sails. When the pain issue is up in the back or hip it is harder to tell then if it was a single leg, shoulder or whatnot and sometimes just gets overlooked.