Fat Face

[shmoo]

Went up to feed girls last night and big one has a fat face on one side. She didn't look worried, ate her feed, belted over to get prime position at hay mound (field kept) and was positively spritely.

Lump follows her teeth, is not too hard, not too soft, looks like a good old fashioned gum boil ? She's into self harming though so could have wacked it on something.

Anyone have experience of this? Hoping it isn't some rare condition where her hair drops out, one leg falls off and she needs 6 months in switzerland to recouperate... Which would actually be just my luck at the mo.

Thinking of having my wages paid directly to the vet and them giving me pocket money.

Mostly don't want her in pain, she's my huggable hoss.

 

[Littlelegs]

Have you had a look inside? It could be something as simple as something jammed in there.

 

[*hic*]

^^ That

 

[shmoo]

I write this a little pink in the cheeks - to say the least - will pop up in lunchour and investigate.

 

[Harriettie]

Could be what is colloquially known as 'grass galls'. My gelding gets them when the grass starts to come in and they are always a different shape and size - he is still in at night and they have always gone by morning. He had them for the first time this year on Sunday (big sigh as he really looks like a big hamster). An old mare of mine also had them to a lesser extent. Looks weird but various vets have reassured me over the years that they are harmless and as he gets used to the new grass they stop all together.

But yes, have a look inside to be on the safe side!

 

[shmoo]

Harriettie I think (hope) you might be on to something.

We're two weeks in to our new yard - well field & shelter really - she's only just started grazing as we've had snow and sleet and they've been loitering around waiting to be fed! So she's on new grass?!?

Off now to have my hands accidentally bitten off - may not be able to type again... except perhaps with my nose.

 

[MasterBenedict]

This happened with my youngster. I had just bought him in for the night and was changing his rugs/checking him over after his tea. I found a large lump on one side of his face that I was immediately worried about. Lots of poking and prodding ensued, with me struggling to get a look in his mouth. After 20 mintues and just as I was about to go and get someone elses opinion, he opend his mouth reeeaally wide and guess what....out falls a huge carrot he had been hiding in his cheek!

Much blushing and embarressment on my behalf

 

[mandwhy]

It does sound like grass glands as I know them. I noticed a share horse I had was a bit puffy around the face and had a lump under her jaw that was like a boil almost golf ball sized and felt like a cyst. Her owner said she often had it and I think it was because they lived out. It has just got big that day!

Could also be food in the cheeks, they can really jam it in there!

 

[PandorasJar]

I'd have a quick scout for poisonous plants. Had a couple of reactions like this, no pain shown.

Neither bad and vet didn't worry at all in either case, but was Deadly Nightshade.
Another other loves face planting in nettles but this is far more distinctive as little puffs not half a face!