Had the vet out, horse 2/10ths lame

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katherine1975

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Hi,
My OHs horse went lame whilst out hacking yesterday, we had a lesson on Wednesday and she was fine. We did have a period of lameness following shoeing about 4 weeks ago. I called the farrier out and he said it wasn't in the foot, I gave her a week off and she was fine.

Had the vet out today and she also said the lameness was not in the foot, both fetlocks slightly swollen and 2/10ths lame in her off fore. She said to give her 10days off and see how she is, if she is still lame she will need nerve blocks and further investigations.

Could it just be a sprain/strain that gets better with time? Had a 5 stage vetting 2 years ago and have not had any problems with her, she is a 14 year old chunky cob. Fingers crossed that it is nothing more serious.
 
I'm of no use to you unfortunately but hope your mare gets better soon :) I am a worrier too by nature so can imagine how you must feel but it sounds like you are seeking appropriate professional advice. I guess only time will tell. Keep us updated on her progress please.
 
Thank you, I have had horses all my life and never had a lame horse except for an abscess in the hoof once. My mare has gone all cuddly since she's been lame, giving her the 10 days off and we'll see how she is.
 
A quick update - Kelsi has had 5 weeks off and is still lame. We have bought a trailer and our first trip in it tomorrow will be a trip to the vets! If she loads! Wish us luck.
 
I've only had my horse 6 months and he went lame whilst out hacking, but was sound in the school. Had Xrays done and he has ringbone in the coffin joints. He's an 11 year old heavy cob and has alot of thickening of the skin on his legs. This is due to bad mites over lots of years, maybe the constant stamping over the years haven't helped. He has gone sound on bute and being shod so fingers crossed it can be managed. Good luck with your horse X
 
Just to say, even if it is navicular (and I'm not saying it is) it's treatable these days and is not the death sentence it was so chin up !!
 
Black_Horse_White said:
I've only had my horse 6 months and he went lame whilst out hacking, but was sound in the school. Had Xrays done and he has ringbone in the coffin joints. He's an 11 year old heavy cob and has alot of thickening of the skin on his legs. This is due to bad mites over lots of years, maybe the constant stamping over the years haven't helped. He has gone sound on bute and being shod so fingers crossed it can be managed. Good luck with your horse X
Click to expand...

Ask your farrier about Natural Balance shoes - they've really helped my boy with ringbone :)
 
Thanks I will, athough after he was shod on Saturday he was much better. He is now sound on 2 bute a day which i'm reducing to 1 tomorrow. He's had a little buck and canter in a small paddock this afternoon and he is certainly not lame.
 
Another update, Kelsi loaded well considering we have never travelled her. She can't balance very well in the trailer and we drove really slowly but she was awful going round corners! Good job I got her some new travel boots yesterday as they are now ripped! It was a really stressful journey for us all, but we made it to the vets so she is there until they phone us to come and collect her.
 
I've seen your post in New Lounge about your diagnosis of arthritis. My horse has also recently been diagnosed with djd, she was 2/10 lame due to arthritic changes in her left knee and 1/10 lame in her right coffin joint (after flexion tests).

The cortisone injections didn't work for her, but she has since had tildren by drip and a course of cartrophen. She is now on 99% glucosamine supplements and will be given bute as and when she needs it.

The vet has said she should not jump and I should not work her on a tight left rein, I'm a happy hacker so that is not a problem for me. I know that is not the case for your OH. The guidance by the vet and a Mctimony Practitioner who recently gave her the once over was to keep working her daily. So in your case a field shelter to let her come and go as she pleases could be better.

Last year when I first started travelling my mare she also had balance problems and ripped a few sets of travel boots. A friend suggested travelling her on the left hand side of the trailer, and she instantly travelled better - she now stands there rock solid. There was a recent photo in Your Horse of a horse leaning over in a trailer and that is exactly what my mare was doing - it was suggested that it starts in the teens - maybe it is related to arthritic pain?
 
Hi HollyB66 we have been mainly happy hackers up until now when we were hoping to do more, as Kelsi doesn't travel too well I'm not sure it would be a good idea to travel both horses together! Will try travelling her on the other side. Which glucosamine supplement do you use? The vet has recommended that we start to feed her glucosamine and chondroitin.
 
I was using this one by Equine Answers, but the vet has prescribed me 99% glucosamine which gives her 20g per day during the 'loading' period and will drop to 10g per day afterwards. Equine Answers was giving her 4g per day, but also had other ingredients.

http://www.equineanswers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProdID=16

The vet also suggested natural balance shoes, which we have had fitted - the farrier said they certainly wouldn't do any harm.

I've minimised trotting on roads and we never jumped anyway.

My mare is 19 and never showed up lame, we are doing a 2 day endurance ride in North Norfolk in a couple of weeks time. We will do it at a gentle pace (I won't be hammering her round). When I told the vet he was really pleased that I haven't 'retired' her and has suggested bute on the days of the ride just to make sure she is comfortable.

It's certainly not the end of the road for us :)
 
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