An off day or abscess ? Or something else?

Haphazardhacker

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Before I get into this I will of course get the vet out if after a couple of days off she hasnt gone back to normal.

Hacked out today and in the usual spots where we usually take it up a gear my mare just didnt want to/couldn't maintain a canter. Usually she is raring to go, I let her go and then usually without asking much she comes back to trot .
I especially noticed today when we approached an uphill canter spot, she was begging for me to let her go, so i did and she didnt seem to have as much power behind as usual and came back to trot a lot sooner than usual.
I was worried so got off , she seemed sound but I was still worried so we walked home. Trotted her up and did all the usual lameness checks and she is sound, no heat, not resting either hind.
My gut is telling me this is an abscess brewing as had similar experience with a cob I ride occasionally, she lost back end power but not lame then a week later an abscess was found.

A lady at the yard thinks maybe she is just having an off day ( she has done 7 days in a row of work, not all ridden , some lunging, but usually i do 5/6 days work then one or two days off depending on weather we have had yet another frost.

My plan is to give her tomorrow off, see if any lameness appears and probably give her monday off. Then tuesday, providing she is sound , have a ride and see if she is back to her old self, if not call the vet.

Does this sound a sensible plan?
 
I don't think you will necessarily find an abcsess if horse is not lame. There are many other things that can cause soreness and reluctance to use hind quarters.
Try the palpation test when you check tomorrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr05hMmLCY4
Check all over for haematoma or sensitivity, anywhere.
I don't think the symptoms are due to overwork.
Is she turned out, because I would prefer turnout to standing inside 24/7.
You can call vet for advice, as things stand you don't really have anything definite.
 
I'd be checking the horses temper ture for a few days - sounds more like she may be coming down with a virus. Consider how you feel when you're brewing the flu! Tired and lacking energy. How often do you work her so many days in a row. Did you feed her accordingly, more work needs more feed.
 
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