Fetlock injury - Any ideas?

JustMe22

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 May 2009
Messages
2,447
Visit site
On friday put my gelding in the loose school. When I asked him to trot he was stepping unevenly, so we stopped. I checked his legs and his left fetlock was the problem. I didn't have any iceman or cooling gel with me so I left it, hosed it off and put him in the stable. Saturday morning it was much worse.

There is one very small soft swelling on the inside, feels almost like a windgall. Other than that, there is no swelling at all. There was a little bit of heat, but nothing too severe.

He stands on it fine, and only moves when you push it, but doesn't pin his ears or do anything aggressive, just moves his leg. Stable manager bandadged his leg with icthamol (sp?) and the vet came out to give us bute, and said leave it on until sunday. This was on friday.
This morning we trotted him out and he's sound as a bell, not taking any uneven steps and striding out fully. Obviously I can't see the fetlock because its bandaged, but its obvious the leg isn't swollen.

So what I want to know is if anybody has any idea what it might be? I'm thinking just brusing or a twist perhaps. He does mess around in his paddock and used to brush very badly (doesn't wear paddock boots) so is this likely? Or could it be something more serious? The stable manager agrees that its nothing major, but im just concerned that when he comes off bute he'll be lame..but i think it may just be me worrying.

He has a big show coming up and I can't decide whether or not to take him (its only showing, two classes) if he still looks sound tomorrow, or whether im risking injuring him further. He's had two days stable rest, and will be back out in the paddock tomorrow.

Thanks!
 
I would not do anything until it is established that he is sound without bute. If it's a suspensory ligament branch you could do major damage and be out six months instead of a couple of weeks.
 
It probably is a knock or a bruise, but better safe than sorry. When is he coming off the bute and when is the show? Did the vet have any suggestions as to what it could be?
 
The show is on Tuesday (well tomorrow now). I'll have to scratch I think, was hoping he'd be alright given its HOYS and I reeeeaaaallly didn't want to miss it, but I'm not happy with the idea of competing him and possibly doing more damage. Nor am I happy with the idea that the bute will still be in his system.

The vet didn't do a consultation. He just came out to give us the bute, and that was it. He has enough to go through to wednesday night. Seeing as I'll scratch from the show I might let him finish the whole course. It was 10 packets..I think he could come off today and if he starts getting sore again, put him back on it and call a vet to check him out.
 
Top