Goes against the grain!

[Boxers]

My dpony has been very slightly lame now for 4 weeks. He was field rested for 5 days and then box rested for 4 days. Then the vet came and diagnosed a bruised bone in his fetlock. he said to turn him out daily and ride him at the walk only. So 2 weeks later he is still slightly lame. Had vet again who says bruising should have gone down by now and so perhaps it's a hairline fracture. Someone saw pony cantering in the field and when he broke back to trot she could see no lameness - so the vet said to ride him 'normally' and hope this will encourage pony to 'forget' he's lame. Obviously no trotting on roads or rough land, but walk trot canter on a hack as normal.

Well to me it goes against the grain to trot and canter a lame pony (however slight the lameness).

What do you think?

At the moment pony isn't ridden during the week because of dark evenings etc.

 

[vicijp]

Sack the vet, refuse to pay and get another opinion ASAP.
None of the 'diagnosis' or 'treatment' makes any sense - there could be anything or nothing wrong.
I would also advise the vet to lay off the whiskey at breakfast.

 

[Malibu]

i would ask to see his vetinary certficate! Lik e VIC said FAR too much whiskeyfor the vet!

get a different vet

 

[GTs]

I think it is hard to say with the couple bits of information - I had a horse who was lame only going around corners. The vet said it was fine to walk/trot/canter in a straight line soft ground and gentlem transitions to keep up fitness.

 

[Boxers]

Well this is what the vet is saying - straight lines (ie not schooling).

He said the walking etc will get the circulation going around the area and so heal the bone.

He did mention x-ray but said that he didn't think it would show up.

He mentioned the sesamoid bone (?)

 

[merlinsquest]

Hi,

My horse is currently undergoing treatment for arthritis and sesamoiditis (sp) in a hind fetlock.

I have been told to hack out, no schooling or tight turns and to keep to walk and trot, canter if conditions are ideal!!

But dont know what i would think if the joint had not been x-rayd... I think i would stick to walk if i was not sure of whether there was a fracture or not.... no harm in asking for a second opinion... you will either be reassured but poorer, or at least know for sure what you are dealing with!!

Best of luck

 

[annie02]

If he is still lame at times I would have an x-ray done. At the least you can rule some problems out. I have had our vet tell us to ride one horse that was only lame here and there with the idea that he either will get better or get lame enough that we can see what was wrong...but we thought it was soft tissue not a fracture.

 

[monstermunch]

Your vet seems a bit vague with his opinions which I would find a little concerning. You need definite advice so you have a structure to follow and at least know what should - should not be doing. It is not necessarily bad to exercise whilst a horse is lame. However this is usually for horses coming back from injury who are lame because of lack of muscle and working differently so it is not a true lameness.
It sounds to me like you need a bit more info or another opinion. Definately would get a more thorough check over which may mean getting x rays.

 

[Boxers]

Would just like to thank you all for your advice and to update you.

Pony was not ridden during the week but he had his front hooves trimmed and re-shod (told the farrier of the lameness). Daughter rode him on Saturday and he wasn't as lame as he had been previously. She rode him on grass at the walk and had a short trot.

Today she rode him again and the lameness is barely there - hooray!

So hopefully in another week or two he should be sound. He won't be ridden during the coming 5 week days and so that will give him another chance to recuperate.

Thanks