Of course, only a "hands on" by someone knowledgeable with backbones could know for SURE -- but, my thought is like yours..........
She hasn't been standing correctly for a long, long time. The bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments -- everything in there! -- has been stationary for a extended period of time. IMO this malpositioning and lack of full range of motion plays a very huge roll in her comfort. It will take months of adjustment and slowly relearning to use and stretch her frame before she is able to work through this.
While we are very cautious with bute, and I realize that using pain meds can sometimes create overuse of areas not ready for use, in this case I would consider some mild pain assistance and antiinflammatory a great help to her. At this point she is NOT going to go running wildly around and create serious injury. So it would be something to allow her to move more comfortably and get the mild stretch she needs within the areas that are now compromised by non-use and atrophy.
Possibly something else -- plain aspirin, willow bark, devils claw. The latter two seem to be longer lasting and while not to be used in a PREGNANT mare, you sure don't have that to worry about. Thankfully. I have used B&L Solution (formerly Buteless) with very, very good results for such generalized aches. As a liquid, it's easy to put on their food and they seem to like the taste. Similar to my taking Alleve when I've overdone but know I must continue
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Maybe you already have her on such a product.
You can already see from the pictures that she is beginning to hold her hind legs back where they should be rather than up under her, now that the front legs can hold more weight. That alone helps with the topline and the "hunch" she's eliminating is now sore. Well, that's how I see it -- certainly it is part of the cure and part of what she will need to be helped through to become well. Bless her heart, I KNOW she's grateful, even if confused. Guess I'd be confused too if after the years of enduring her situation an angel came and rescued me!!! Of course, she's confused. Probably can't even remember what normal is. But, I see her trotting along this time next year!!!!!!! :aktion033:
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