Dr. Beth,
I've been following your EPSM diet for 8 years now and have nothing but good things to report. I rescue draft horses and I've seen my share of EPSM horses - luckily I was able to rehabilitate all of them.

2 weeks ago I bought an 8-yo Shire gelding sight-unseen, half across the Country. He was sold as a "horse with an old hip-injury" - the description of his "hip problem" sounded like EPSM to me. Well, he arrived here last week. He is not very skinny, but lacks muscles. He has a severe case of scratches (possibly CPL), shoes on 3 feet, split hooves and his "hip problem". I've never seen anything like it and my Vet hasn't either (she's not a big help when it comes to "unusual" things). So I took some videos and I would like to ask you to PLEASE look at them and let me know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n8gQTFDjJE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKHexCSWWc

He kicks out his rear legs to the side when he walks. It's worse on his left side, but both sides are effected as far as I can tell. He backs up fine, he doesn't stumble, and he seems perfectly fine otherwise (no obvious signs of nerve problems).
Can you please help ?????
You have seen more signs of EPSM than any other person....

Thank you.
Gabriele

Gabriele, I am so glad you have been able to help so many drafts! Let's hope you can help this guy also. Watching him move I have to say that sure, he could have an old hip injury, but it would have to be both sides as you have observed. And, it is not going to be something that you'll be able to readily see on radiographs or other examination. But, hip injuries really are not common and EPSM is. So, I am going to go with the rule I developed years ago, that has stood the test of time very well: Anything mysterious about the hind end of a draft horse is EPSM until proven otherwise. I also think his hind end muscling is lacking compared to the front. So, go with that full 1 pound fat per 1000 lbs of horse per day, along with exercise, and lets hope you can show us an "after" video in 4 months or so. Good luck!

Thank you sooooooooo much, just what I wanted to hear !!! I just didn't want to assume it is EPSM and possibly waste valuable time in case it's something different. I've been increasing the fat in his diet since the day he arrived, so he should be improving with time.
Thanks again !!!
Gabriele

Gabriele, I certainly hope he will respond. I will say that some EPSM drafts I have worked with that had severe gait abnormalities never quite came back to normal. But, only time will tell. Best of luck, and please let us know how things go!

Hello again.
I just learned about a condition called "OCD".... Could that be it??
Gabriele

OCD is osteochrondrosis (also called osteochondritis) dissecans. It is a joint problem that starts at a young age that can cause permanent joint injury and lameness. It is most common in hock joints and not very common in hip joints. So, this is not my first thought for this Shire. Of course you need the assistance of your veterinarian as well.