Tell us about your horse
Nova, 16 Dutch gelding, 17.3h – big guy.

What is your discipline?
Dressage

Do you and your horse compete? If so, how often and at what level?
No, can’t be consistent with soundness.

Has your horse’s unsoundness kept you out of any competitions?
Yes

What current issues is your horse suffering from?
I believe the stifle. I was told he had no maintenance issues—he had a hitch and that turned into lameness. Eventually, I had his stifle injected and after 10 days he looked great, but I was supposed to rehab him and make him stronger. I was distracted getting my son to college and didn’t do my homework, eventually it wore off.
I have been trying to get him sound again without the injections, trying every product out there. I’m not seeing much results. His riding is just walking and poles and he’s just not improving. I do body work but really hesitate to do more injections.

What have you tried so far to help your horse with these issues?
Injection once (it worked). He gets massage from me, I also have a PEMF machine, he gets random chiro—doesn’t seem to help.

Has this horse been diagnosed by a Vet?
No

If your horse has had injections, when was the last injection and where?
His injection was summer 2022, sort of undiagnosed. We only did flexions and his history showed stifle injections, so we just did the one bothering him.

Is your horse currently on any supplements? If so, which ones?
He is on SmartPak Rehab, sometimes Equinety and, to be honest, I start adding more because I buy everything that says it will make my horses comfortable!

If you are selected for the Precision Challenge, what results are you hoping for?
I have videos—I’d love to have this horse comfortable in his movement. If I could compete him, that would be amazing. He was originally competed through third level. If he can’t compete and I can get him sound enough to rehome him to a safe, loving home that just wants to hack around, that would be amazing. I just want to believe that there are real products that can work.

Precision Challenge Start

Began Precision Challenge on 12/8/2023
16 Dutch gelding, 17.3h with undiagnosed intermittent lameness in his stifles.
Below is the initial video from Day 1 before beginning PJS.
Main complaint: lameness in the hind end.

Day 1 of Precision Challenge

Day 45 of Precision Challenge

Before & After

Check-Ins – Observed changes in comfort, movement & disposition

Week 3 Check-In:
Tracking somewhat better at the trot to the left. Better attitude.

Week 6 Check-In:
Moving through at the trot better. He is not on his toe as much. Is able to pick up the canter to the left and hold it through the whole circle.

PC Journal Notes

2 Weeks into Trial:

• Topline looks improved, even with less grain.

• Hay quality is poor due to rain, yet he still looks better.

• Ground poles in his paddock help strengthen him, but otherwise very little has been done.

• Less grumpy.

30 Days into Trial:

• Less grumpy with more movement and interaction with other horses in the field.

• Lunged a week ago—much stronger in his left lead canter, held it longer, came up and under him more.

45 Days into Trial:

• Trotting through much better, though still drops the hip a little.

• Willing and able to pick up the canter and hold it now, carrying his weight instead of just using the tip of his toe.