This is "Little Man" a 3 year old Registered Tennessee Walking Horse Stallion. He is our first rehab horse and we picked a good one to start.
Little Man was started in training in January '05 at 20 months old. Two months of ground work and he was put under saddle. He was ridden daily inside and outside. The trainer called the owner and told them that he had started hitting himself by winging in. He started to stumble a little like he was clumsy and got honorary. During this time he grew over a hand in 6 weeks. They thought he was stubborn and lazy and continued to work him, he got worse. In April of '05 the trainer called the owners to come get him, let him rest and continue to grow. He was put in a stall for a year to rest.
Little Man had several problems when he was given to us in March of '06, from malnutrition to no balance or coordination. He was 16.1 hands and 630 pounds, could not walk a straight line nor could he stop when he wanted to. He could not tell where his limbs were nor could he move them to any type of rhythm. He was vaccinated for EEE/WEE/VEE and WNV and dewormed the pervious year.
After putting on some weight we had a vet look at him. After the exam it was noted that he was in good body condition and BAR. Temperature, heart, lung and gut sounds were normal. He had symmetrical UMN deficits to all four limbs evidenced by a hypermetric walk, increased stumbling negotiating turns or going down hill with head raised. Rule-outs included cervical vertebral malformation or stenotic compressive myelopathy, WNV or EPM (although nonprogressive) unknown trauma or other viral parasitic disease. A lateral cervical radiograph was nondiagnostic and WNV screening returned negative.
We were then advised to take him to the University of Tennessee in July of '06 were they performed more tests. Test that incuded a more thorough neurological exam, additional radiographs, blood work, WNV spinal fluid and a myeogram. All of this came back negative. Little man was released in good health other than a nutrition deficiency. But yet, was still uncoordinated. He was prescribed 8000 IUs on vitamin E and stall rest. We designed his paddock, with panels for safety, so he had to walk downhill to socialize with our other horses, and walk back uphill to his stall for food and water.
October of '06 Little Man is now 16.1 and 860 pounds. He has a little more cordination at the rack, canter and gallop but at the walk he still stumbles. We started him on MSN in February of '07 where he gained even more control of his legs but still is a little off balance at the walk. We have started round penning exercises to strengthen his shoulders, hips and fiber muscles.
March of '07 Little Man has also received a full year of Chiropractic work form a Certified human and equine Chiropractor. We have continued with his rehab with the hope he will return to being ridden. If you have any suggestions on treatment please email us.
October of '07 Little Man is 16.1 and 980 pounds. Little Man has been working up and down hills and is starting to find his coodination. He is trotting, gaiting, and galloping up and down hills at full speed. He is still having problems at the walk but has improved there also. We still have not ridden Little Man, but are planning to do so in '08 if he continues to improve.
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