Maestro-Djinto

Maestro is an 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, showjumper. 18 hands, approximately 1,400 lbs. Imported by a hunter/jumper professional in 2022 as a 5-year-old. Was not jumping in Europe prior to import, following import he started jumping and competing up to 1.30m as a 6-year-old. I purchased him in October 2023 as an adult amateur. PPE found a bone spur/OA on the right hock, otherwise unremarkable. Workload changed to jumping .70–.90m and competing with a pro at 1.10m. No performance or lameness concerns from October 2023 through February 2024. Historically a very forward, enthusiastic, "yes" personality, no spur/crop needed, relatively high pain tolerance (minimal sedation and no twitch required for injections, will line up for shockwave, greets his veterinarian at the gate kind of horse). 

 

Conformationally long-backed, has chronically struggled to build and maintain muscle particularly in the hind end. Chronically low-heeled in the front, has been living in a wedge +/- frog support since import. Lately has increased toed-in stance (RF>LF), positive response to hoof testers RF lateral heel. Recent front rads show backward pastern-fetlock axis, medial-lateral imbalance. 
 

In March 2024, six months after purchase, he presented with overnight lameness on RF and RH and marked twist/circumduction on the RH that was not present prior. Radiographs and ultrasound of RF and RH (including stifle) were unremarkable. Treated with rest. RF lameness resolved within days; RH improved over two weeks and he slowly returned to regular work. The RH circumduction never resolved. In May 2024 the right stifle was injected (ProStride) and a shockwave series (3 sessions, two-week intervals) was performed in an attempt to resolve the twist. The circumduction was eventually conceptualized as a non-painful mechanical gait change common in large warmbloods. Approximately 3 months later, LH circumduction also appeared (RH > LH consistently).
 

June-July 2024 we started to see performance decline. He became lethargic under saddle and had lost weight. Initially attributed to nutritional deficiencies, which were corrected. Performance improved somewhat but did not return fully to baseline, trainers conceptualized performance issues as unique to owner versus pro rides. From September 2024 through January 2025 the decline slowly escalated — lower energy, reluctance to move forward in trot and canter, kicking out and irritability in canter transitions (RL > LL), and aversive responses to tacking up (saddle fitter retained) across pro and amateur/owner interactions. January 2025 we injected hocks (corticosteroid), right stifle (ProStride), and SI (corticosteroid), initiated Adequan injection series. Again noticed some improvement but not full resolution. February through March 2025 performance issues escalated to spontaneously halting when asked to trot or canter and a backed-off feeling approaching jumps (also occurring during both pro and amateur rides). March 2025 gastroscope showed grade 1–3 ulcers in the pyloric, squamous, and glandular regions. We attributed performance issues to ulcers, initiated treatment, adjusted diet and management accordingly. 
 

June - August 2025 ulcers were treated successfully at 90 days (confirmed at 90-day rescope and subsequent monitoring scopes performed November 2025 and May 2026), but performance did not improve as expected. Workup to rule out other causes was extensive: oral sugar test to r/o IBD, EPM (unremarkable), allergy panel (unremarkable), strangles titer (intermediate), Vitamin E (borderline low June 2024, currently 440 µg/dL on supplementation at 15,000 IU), enrofloxacin trial. Some intermittent improvement, but inconsistent and below baseline. We tried multiple behavioral interventions including novel environments, new riders, etc. Saddle fitter, trainers, nutritionists, chiropractor, massage therapist, and PEMF provider were retained throughout. Workload included regular EquiBand, walk and trot poles in varying configurations/heights, backing exercises etc. The case was ultimately labeled behavioral after multiple lameness evaluations were unremarkable. Consultation with internal medicine and bodywork specialists encouraged further musculoskeletal workup, which led to a bone scan and lameness evaluation with a sports medicine imaging specialist (Dr. Lea Walker, Cave Creek Equine), who was recommended by Maestro's primary veterinarian. The scan showed significant uptake across the pelvic region, mild uptake at C6/C7, and mild uptake in both front coffin joints (RF > LF). Dr. Walker followed up with an extensive ultrasound of the pelvis which showed remodeling/enthesis strain on the left and right quadratus femoris and biceps femoris. Cervical radiographs showed mild OA at C6/C7. Recommended professional rehab.
 

August - November 2025 Maestro spent 4 months at Equine Sports Medicine Rehab (ESMR) in Scottsdale under Drs. Sherry Johnson and Gabby Solum. Rehab protocol included water treadmill, equiband work, pole exercises, PT exercises and stretches in addition to shockwave on the right quad. He was discharged at the end of November 2025 with a plan for slow return to work and continued PT exercises. Body condition was significantly improved, movement was more symmetrical w/t/c. The RH circumduction did not resolve in rehab and conceptualized as mechanical and non-painful. Ongoing recommendations included shockwave on the right quad every 30–45 days (we've stuck to 30). November 2025 gastroscope was clean.
 

After returning home in November 2025, Maestro remained reluctant under saddle, and inclement weather limited workload for the first 45 days undoing some of the rehab conditioning. He remained aversive to tacking up and after consulting multiple saddle fitters I stopped riding in a saddle (swapped to a bareback pad), which resulted in some performance improvement and within a few weeks resolved the aversion to tacking up. December 2025 l noticed signs of discomfort while lunging and doing pole exercises (ear pinning, nipping, head shaking in transition to the canter (LL>RL), rushing, refusing the lunging arena). Lameness evaluation suggested no change in baseline from rehab discharge; recommended adding canter and trot warm-up on the lunge to increase warm up of affected muscles related to the enthesis injuries, and in consultation with Maestro's rehab vet we also slightly adjusted PT exercises. Some improvement followed but was still inconsistent. 
 

February 2026, performance was still inconsistent and declining, signs of discomfort increased during lunging and riding. Observed a new self-directed RH stretch during PT (leg pointed back, toe down, heel elevated, held 10–20 seconds). Follow up lameness evaluation resulted in second injection of the right stifle, SI, and right quad (first time we injected that site) on March 6th. ProStride was intended but a clotting issue prevented spinning, so we did PRP across all three sites. Monthly shockwave of the SI was added. 
 

From March 14 through April 11, 2026 Maestro had a period of significant improvement — the longest streak of positive (5/5) forward and willing rides in over a year. Several changes could have contributed: timing of shockwave, the March injections, a move to a new barn with larger stall and run, removal of canter from the workload, and replacement of the lunge-line warm-up with hand walking before riding. Re-introduced trot work slowly into ridden work. 

 

April 1 he was evaluated by Dr. Solum (rehab vet), who noted 2/5 RH lameness, positive bilateral stifle flexions, flatness through the pelvis with loss of conditioning, and positive bilateral hock flexions (report linked below). She noted signs of pain/discomfort were still present and observed imbalances in the canter LL > RL and recommended injecting the left stifle and both hocks, plus radiographs of the front feet after noting intermittent mild front limb lameness (LF). We made a plan to introduce a straddle pole exercise and treadmill work (treadmill available at new barn). At this point we were still on a positive trend in ridden work. ​

April 9 front rads and ultrasound. Ultrasound (proactive to establish baseline) unremarkable. Rads showed regression of pastern-fetlock axis, medial-lateral imbalance RF>LF, and some mild changes to coffin joints (LF>RF). 

 

April 14 there was a sharp decline in ridden performance— spontaneous halting at walk and trot with hunching of the back while halted (a consistent feature in 2025 before rehab; it feels like he needs to poop and then doesn't). Rehab vet recommended pulling treadmill work after reviewing video that showed potential exacerbation of RH twist on the tread. 

April 16 the left stifle was injected (ProStride) and a second Adequan series was started.

May 1 hocks were injected (corticosteroid and Arthramid), and both coffin joints were injected (Arthramid). We also introduced shockwave targeting c6/7 in addition to routine/monthly shockwave of the SI and right quad. 

​

May 5, ridden performance improved again and is still improved as of May 20th (50% rides at 5/5 baseline, 50% 4/5; rides are primarily walk or walk + 5-10min trot). We still have signs of discomfort in the canter (LL>RL). Signs are marked in the LL canter (cross cantering, difficulty maintaining canter, hopping, kicking out, ear pinning, head tossing, spontaneous halts on lunge line in LL canter but not RL canter).  

​

May 6 repeated gastroscope (clean), repeated oral sugar test (results elevated, diagnosed with insulin dysregulation, starting Thyro-L 5/20 in addition to diet changes). 

 

Evaluation with Drs. Smith and Solum scheduled for May 28th. Scheduled to repeat front rads week of June 1st prior to that week's farrier reset. 

 

Other notable improvements from May 5-14 include:
- Less hind toe drag after exercise (typically would drag both toes after exercise, RH>LH, now even after longer workouts there is less drag overall and typically only RH)

- Bodyworkers (weekly) noting in right side SI/glute/low back reactivity, still noting LS reactivity. Bodywork findings/dashboard
- Glute, low back, and SI reactivity is sometimes entirely absent (bilateral) prior to exercise, is typically present post exercise LS>RS
- Walk and trot are improved, rider notices more symmetrical gait, Maestro is more willing to initiate and maintain a working walk and trot pace with little to no encouragement (prior needed quite a bit of management, trot would initially be a shuffle). 

- Less self-directed stretching of the RH during PT exercises, improvement in range of motion (50+%) during belly-lift PT exercise
 

 

Continued areas of concern/exploration/consultation as of May 20th: 

• Front feet regression (backward pastern-fetlock axis, crushed and low heel structure, thin sole, flare, lateral heel RF reactive to hoof testers). Farrier attempting to correct as of April 29th reset, new issue of RF shoe twisting presenting. Team wants support coming up with a short and long term plan, with the long term goal of improving hoof quality and conformation. Willing to implement plastic/composite and/or barefoot cycles with appropriate guidance. 

• Everyone who initially sees this horse typically uses the term neurological, however, field tests for neurological issues performed by multiple vets on Maestro's team over the last two years have been unremarkable. After specialist consultation, team is considering a CT + myelogram later this year to continue to assess for neurological issues if indicated. 

• We have yet to directly treat the left side in regard to the bone scan findings, team is considering adding shockwave or potential injections. 
   

• Current Workload

  • Three times week: 15 min walk and 5 min trot in EquiBands, M/W/Sat (5/20 increased to 10 min trot)

  • 2-3 times a week 10 min trot on lunge line, <5 min canter work

  • Five times a week: 30 min hot walker, M–F

  • 2–3 rides per week, typically 10–30 min, primarily walk with some lateral and collected work intervals, trot intervals, ground poles, brief canter work re-introduced 5/12. 

  • Walk poles (flat, elevated, or mixed) 3-4x per week, straddle pole 2-3x week

  • PT exercises and massage gun 4–6x per week (tail pulls, stifle engagement, stretches, etc)

  • Treadmill, incline, and straddle pole were introduced in April but were pulled after the April 14 regression, straddle poles re-introduced early May. 
     

• Current Environment / Management

  • Turnout 2-3 days per week, 2-3 hours (wears grazing muzzle; will be moving to new facility mid June with significantly more turnout access)

  • Stalled (12x16 stall, 16x20 run) with access to other horses 

  • Constant access to forage

  • Diet: Approx 24lbs bermuda, teff, alfalfa (approximately 30/40/20%) free choice and slow feeder; KER Releve 1.5 lbs; Platinum DJ; KER RiteTrac and Resolvin; Seroquin; KER BioBloom; Elevate Vitamin E (15K IU); loose salt, slow release electrolyte (KER), 1.5 lbs Unbeetable Balancer; grain and supplements split between two meals. Planned diet changes: reduce alfalfa, shift to teff only, split grain/concentrate into three meals, swap Elevate for MB vit-E to reduce sugar). 

  • Monthly shockwave of right quad (since August 2025) and SI (since February 2026)

  • March 2026 initiated Class 4 laser treatment (stifles, SI)

  • Daily Bemer blanket (15 min, before and after work)

  • Weekly targeted PEMF 

  • Twice-monthly massage 

  • Routine PT exercises following rehab discharge recommendations
    ​

• ​​Behavior Notes

  • Reluctance to move forward under saddle ranges from (lowest) needing more encouragement than a little leg/cluck to engage in a working walk to (highest) spontaneous halting during walk or trot or otherwise unwillingness to walk forward even when encouraged with a crop or spur. Prior to rehab (August - November 2025) spontaneous halting was frequent, post rehab spontaneous halting has been less frequent (until April 14th 2026).

  • We have had periods recently where reluctance has been minimal to non-existent, even on days with higher workload/demand. 

  • Maestro has never been allowed to end a ride or any work session on a halt/stuck note, rides/work always end on a forward note.

  • Halting and reluctance behaviors occur in both pro and amateur rides/work sessions. 

  • He's a pretty good communicator. For example, in earlier (2023-2024) during routine lameness evaluations he was willing and positive during jogs and lunging, and then increasingly exhibited an aversive response (nipping, ear pinning at handlers) as his discomfort progressed. To date, while ridden, he has never bucked, reared or done anything dangerous during periods of spontaneous halting or reluctance. During a competition in February 2025, before the ulcer diagnosis, he was visibly reluctant approaching jumps during competition with a professional riding but never refused. 

  • Lunging behavior is notably different tracking left versus right. Tracking left the canter is disorganized (rushing, rare cross firing, hopping, kicking out, head shaking). Tracking right signs of discomfort/dysfunction are less obvious and the quality of the canter is more organized. 

  • Is typically willing/forward on the lunge line (in fact often  his behavior on the lunge line can have a frenetic quality once you initiate the canter). However, sometime last year a new lunging behavior appeared when tracking left. Tracking left, and only at the canter, he will suddenly stop and spin toward his handler without being asked to do so. It looks different than the spontaneous halts under saddle, it does not occur tracking right.

  • Novel environments result in brief period of improvement (typically 2 days). For example, we took him to a competition just to tag along in May 2025 and he felt totally normal for two days w/t/c and then regressed to spontaneous halting at the walk on day 3.