Veterinarian diagnosis: OCD R. shoulder, and DJD both hocks. "Nickolai"1999 Hanoverian gelding.

Brief history: "Nickolai" came up with severe grade 3-4 lameness on his R. shoulder after playing hard November 1999. Phenylbutazone and stall rest for 3 months, showed only minor improvement. He was referred to the surgical facility, San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, in Feb. 2000. Surgery was performed on his R. shoulder.

Unfortunately, not all of the calcification could be removed, and according to the treating veterinarian, a 50 cent size chunk was unable to be removed. The colt was given a poor prognosis, sent home, and castrated. He was treated with stall rest, phenylbutazone, adequan series, both hocks were injected (several times), and he was put on joint supplements.

His diet consisted of grass hay only. Both hind legs were bandaged, and resulted in "bandage bows" of both legs on the extensor tendons. In June 2001, he was referred to San Diego Equine Sports Therapy, by the treating veterinarian, for laser and therapeutic ultrasound of the bandage bows, and both hocks. The 2 y/o gelding had now been on stall rest since November 1999.

June 2001 this gelding presented himself as grade 3-4 lame, depending on the day, usually non weight bearing on the R. front. Both hocks were extremely swollen, and very warm to touch. His R. shoulder showed marked signs of atrophy, and was extremely tender to touch. His R. front hoof showed excessive heel growth and a "clubbed" appearance. He was a "growthy" colt, and on the thin side. His disposition was extremely timid and fearful of people; a stud chain was used every time he was handled. He had severe muscle spasms along his neck, shoulder and wither areas.

 

Upon veterinarian recommendation, "Nick" was treated with therapeutic ultrasound and laser for the bandage bows and had his hocks treated as well. His extensor tendons healed dramatically, and his hock swelling went down about 50%, but remained larger than normal. The treating veterinarian did not feel therapeutic modalities could help his shoulder, and suggested euthanasia, as she felt the case was hopeless. In Oct. 2001, the gelding was offered for free to San Diego Equine Sports Therapy.

Upon arrival to his new home, "Nick" was treated as follows: He was put on 45cc NutraWound two times daily. And put in a 12'x24' stall for 30 days. Within the first week, his hocks were down to normal size. After 30 days, his dosage of the NutraWound remained the same, and he was hand-walked 5 minutes 2x daily. He was walking without any noticeable signs of lameness. He was allowed to do tight turns both directions after 2 weeks; he did this without lameness or hopping of any kind.

60 days after he had began treatment with the NutraWound, he was allowed out in a 60' round pen for 10 minutes 1x per day for the first 2 weeks, then for 15 minutes 2x per day for another 2 weeks. He still remained on the NutraWound @ 45cc powder two times per day. After a total of 90 days of NutraWound two times daily and very controlled exercise, with no detectable lameness, he was turned out for half days in a small paddock. His dosage of the NutraWound was reduced to 45cc 1x per day, for 30 more days, then he was taken off the NutraWound completely. Then moved into pasture with other horses full time. His diet during treatment consisted of grass and alfalfa hay, and no joint supplements of any kind.

"Nickolai" was moved to the state of Oregon in March of 2002. He has been out on pasture with 4 mares and fillies since. He runs, bucks, plays incredibly hard, and is a very happy well adjusted horse. His lameness is undetectable, and his gaits are beautiful, and strong with a tremendous amount of reach.

He shows no shortness of stride. His shoulder is not tender on palpation, barely detectable atrophy, and his foot, while still a little longer in the heel growth, does not appear "clubbed". His hocks have not been filled or swollen since his initial arrival to San Diego Equine Sports Therapy, now located in Oregon. His diet consists of grass and alfalfa hay, and he is on zero supplements of any kind. "Nickolai" is now a 4 y/o, approx. 16.2 h.h., and his weight is excellent. His disposition has changed from fearful and timid to extremely self confident and bold. He is a very happy, well adjusted horse.