Any ideas what this is?

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rlhnlk

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My TB mare has developed this lump on her fetlock area over the last 2 months, it got bigger gradually and seems to have settled at this size. She has not been lame, there was no heat and it isn't painful or sore. It is hard but not solid and it doesn't seem to be firmly attached. I'm loathe to call the vet whilst she is sound, plus I'm worried if it starts getting prodded and poked for diagnosis it may make it worse. She is a total prima donna and would kick up a massive fuss if it was sore. As far as I know she has not had any injury to this area and there is no cut or scarring.

Any ideas?


larkslump.jpg
 
That looks like an annular ligament strain to me and I'd have it seen by a vet and scanned. They don't always cause lameness initially but can become nasty if not treated. Good luck.
 
Second annular ligament inflamation....... seen it a couple of times now....

She may in time need an op to cut the ligament before it damages the tendon that it runs over.

If you pm Kizzywiz, she may be able to confirm this as her horse is a bit of an expert at having it done
frown.gif
 
Agree with the others. I would get it looked at.
I had a mare that had her annular ligament cut as it was strangulating the tendon.
It was a knock out job but very tiny incision and needed in hand walking for a couple of weeks.
Mine was never lame either but soon would have been had it not been done.
 
Possibly a small windgall. Or could indicate inflammation at the attachment of one of the tendons/ligaments.

If the vet comes out, ask for them to bring US machine as is the best option for identifying soft tissue injury, and if it is a bone "problem" it will be identified on us, but require x-ray to examine it.

Good luck! but id get it checked before it becomes painful and causes lamenss!
 
I'd definately get the vet to have a look, and would strongly suspect an annular ligament problem as well. It's great that there has been no sign of lameness. But I know from experience with a previous horse the issues that can result from damage to the AL.
 
Hi all

I got this checked today as it was starting to get on my nerves. It is a cyst, probably caused by a knock. The vet says only get a scan if any heat, pain, swelling or unsoundness appears. Apparently it's too central to be the annular ligament so that is a relief. The vet did say it was a really bizarre place for a lump to occur due to it being so central. She also said that it was highly unlikely that the tendons are affected due to the lack of any heat or swelling. She found that there was a slight depression in the centre of the lump aswell which felt like it could be fluid filled.

I have a feeling, looking back, that this happened when her stable was flooded. As she was stood in cold water this would most likely have mitigated any heat or swelling from the knock but it has later resulted in this lump.

I've just looked at the photo I posted above and realised it looks like her leg is swollen around towards the side aswell, this isn't the case, it is purely a lump on the very back of her leg.

Thanks to everyone who posted.
 
Just leave it be and hopefully it will eventually go away by itself. Vet did quite a strong flexion test on the leg and she was still sound as a pound. The vet said if I was really bothered we could scan it etc to confirm but that it really wasn't worth bothering my insurance for it. I just need to keep an eye on it incase any swelling, heat or pain appear as this would indicate it is starting to bother her.

brightmount- the leg in that picture has swelling around the side of the fetlock. This is something that mine doesn't have. There is no soft swelling anywhere on her leg. The vet commented on how flat her fetlock is and how tight her tendons are. I think the photo I posted doesn't quite show this. I didn't realise as I had the real thing in mind when I looked at the picture, I think it was an effect of the flash. The lump on my girls leg is literally a bump, max diameter just over an inch stuck to the very back edge of her leg.
 
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The vet said if I was really bothered we could scan it etc to confirm but that it really wasn't worth bothering my insurance for it

[/ QUOTE ]

A scan would cost you less than your premium. So wouldn't be an insurance job.

Good luck with it - let us know how you get on.
 
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