Call vet or farrier?

[noblesteed]

My horse is slightly lame in his left foreleg. I noticed yesterday after a hack, he seemed a little short in trot and kept trying to walk on the grass not the road. I trotted him up on the yard when I returned and he was lame.
There is no swelling, and I suspected maybe he had trodden on a stone or something so I put him back out. Today I trotted him up and he was barely lame, however he was uncomfortable turning left and is very toey and short on that leg. On inspection there is SLIGHT heat on inside of his foot, and above coronet band. I tried tapping the clenches but no response. He does have some cracks on that part of his foot.

I am also worried it may be lami because the grass has just spurted after the rain. My horse IS a fatty, but has no history of lami. Is it possible for it to come on this gradually?

Anyway, I am unsure as to whether to call the vet first or the farrier. Given that the farrier is terribly difficult to get hold of!!!!
He was shod last weekend and hasn't done much work this week, but was sound when lunged on grass on Friday. He was also charging round the field today like a loon, so he obviously isn't in pain in the field.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Personally if there is a lameness issue I would rather value the farrier's opinion rather than the vets; however if the lameness is acute and/or the horse is in pain the farrier is only permitted by law to give "emergency/first aid relief" so you might be placing him in a difficult position.

But if you suspect a shoeing/foot problem, it might be just courtesy to consult your farrier in the first instance and ask him what you should do, i.e get the vet.

My farrier always likes to work alongside the vet in any case, as I would imagine most would.

 

[kirstyl]

If you are worried about your horse's condition and are finding it difficult to get in touch with your farrier, then your only option is to get your vet out. Sure you'll have call out fee, but must be better to get your horse seen asap if you think he is uncomfortable

 

[Jennyharvey]

Unfortunately lami is very common this time of year. And sometimes it can come on gradually. Its not always as sudden as with acute cases.
Be best to work with both farrier and vet. Farrier can address issues of the foot, and vet can assist with pain relief if needed and lameness evaluation.

 

[noblesteed]

Farrier has assured me he will be out to see him tomorrow. I'm really worried about lami now tho wish I'd brought him in for the night now

Fingers crossed it's just a shoe prob!

 

[odd1]

sounds as if it could be an abcess??

 

[Donkeymad]

Sounds more like an abscess than lami to me too.

Good luck.

 

[noblesteed]

So, to update, the farrier is coming tomorrow and my horse is out in his grazing muzzle! (in case of lami). He def has a digital pulse in his left foot and is slightly lame.

Urgh stress!!!!!

Thanks everyone who has replied. Fingers crossed it;s just a prick or an abcess.

 

[Brandy]

Yes agree also sounds like an abcess. Will be lovely when it erupts through the coronet band.

 

[noblesteed]

Phew, farrier says it's not lami. Digital pulse isn't that strong. He reckons it's just a sore foot where some of his hoof had cracked away which made him tricky to shoe. He thinks it's not infected so i've to field rest him til sunday and see if he comes sound then.
Hope that's the end of it! Will leave horsey in grazing muzzle during the day now anyway - he took to it quite well!

 

[noblesteed]

To update, after a week's rest my horsey is still not sound Farrier says to leave a while longer if it's just a bruised sole. There's def no abcess in there that he can find.
I've just scared myself reading about low-grade lami. Farrier is coming out during the week but I'm giving til next weekend then if still not right I'm gonna call the vet out.

 

[Bojangles]

Mine was on off lame nearly 5 weeks on the abscess has burstd out. Even the farrier didnt think it was a abscess as there wasnt any signs of it. Hope your's come's sound soon. Mine more happy now.

 

[SusieT]

If a weeks box rest didn't cure it my next call would be the vet. Farriers can be al ittle cavalier at times!
Could be soft tissue damage and the vet will be able to nerve block to identify the problem area and advise from there.

 

[brighteyes]

Regardless of what is the reason behind the heat and lameness, you MUST get on top of his weight. I can't stress how it can sneak up on anyone and that you have admitted he's a fatty...

Get him on a diet NOW!

 

[noblesteed]

Cheers everyone. Yes Brighteyes, he is on a diet. Grass muzzle, no feed etc. He needs work now! Bloody feet.

 

[noblesteed]

ok so horsey has had almost another week off, in a grazing muzzle most of the day and no feed. still slight lameness in same foot. Still a little heat. Farrier said wait a bit longer. I have just had a massive panic and have called the vet! I am too worried to do nothing. I keep worrying about lami and other things that are equally dreadful.