Hip problem

Question
Hello
We have a 21 yr old Standardbred gelding, never raced up until a year ago he was sound. Don't know if there was any trauma. He started favoring his left leg, he short steps at a walk & if asked to trot or canter he picks up his leg & runs on three legs. We had a nuclear bone scan done & they say "it" is in his hip but don't know what it is. We have had 5 vets look at him, tried shock wave, hip injections, hyalauronic acid, glucosamine, chondroiton etc.
Would appreciate any suggestions...
Thanks for your time

Answer
Hi Pauline,
          This looks like a difficult one to sort out. At 21 your boy has learnt a thing or two but I have never heard of a horse lifting a leg to run on three!
Does this happen when he is just mucking around in his paddock when no one is watching, or only when you put him under pressure?
My first thought is that he must be sore and that can usually be traced to a joint or tendon. Sounds like you have done the things I would have done.
Maybe the canny fella has been learning from other animals and has come up with a strategy similar to a bird feinging a broken wing to draw a predator away from the nest!
I wish I had a simple answer for you however I dont.
Please let me know at [email protected] if you discover what the problem is.
Good luck,
Don