louisesb
Well-Known Member
I just picked up a little (13hh) arab last Sunday. Long story, but my youngster has gone away for schooling and I wanted a company for my old mare. I've borrowed him from a neighbour - she runs a hacking yard but although the horses are relatively well looked after, they certainly aren't looked after to the standard I would keep mine. However, when I went to pick him up he did look a little short in front. He's been living out in mud up to his knees and I assumed it was mud fever. However, a week later he's now really lame on his NF - I can't find any lumps of bumps and don't think my mare's kicked him or anything like that. He has got a touch of mud fever, but really nothing major and he's only lame on one leg. I'm now thinking he may have something in his foot. However, my question really is should I get the vet or farrier to look at him? In the summer my old mare got an abcess in her foot and I called the vet - the bill came to £200 for literally 15mins of the vet's time, when I know the farrier could have found the abcess and lanced it for all of £20 - however, my poor mare was so lame I really thought she'd done something major, hence I called the vet. He also doesn't seem brilliant at picking up his feet, so am worried he might need sedation. What does anyone suggest - vet or farrier? Worth pointing out that although he's not mine, I would be picking up the bill.