Hamstring info please

[BethH]

Ok so my very annoying, problematic but lovely horse has recently had bi-lateral spavins diagnosed & medicated 7wks ago. After large vet bill, he was going quite well and he is being gently ridden and managed his first canter circle (large!) in the school yesterday - willingly offered & much to my surprise.

But, now that he is getting better, in typical fashion he came in lame this morning (he is out at night and in during the day), on his left hind. He is not really wanting to put weight through it and after a couple of hours in his box during which time he lay down and got back up without a problem, I walked him up the yard to see if it was a figment of my imagination, but although he seems to be moving straight he is very stiff and looks tight through the pelvis. He of course would only do this on a Sunday when it's really expensive to call a vet! I have a feeling he has slipped in the field as he left his rug there all beautifully tidy and still done up - neck, surcingles etc etc and was found naked this morning and looking a bit sore. I think he has gone down to roll and slipped getting up and tweaked his hamstring. There is no heat or swelling apart from what I think is a small area around his thigh.

Anyone had a horse tweak their hamstring? I have given him a bute and a 20min equissage but am unsure whether to turn him back out tonight or box rest him as I don't want him to stiffen up but also don't want him to damage the hamstring anymore if that is what he has done. Although he looks a bit fed up he is eating & sleeping, i'll back off working him and call the vet if he still looks uncomfortable tomorrow as I will then be able to get my normal vet, not the weekend cover. But do you rest or gently exercise this type of injury?? Any advice gratefully received, he manages to teach me something new every day of the week it feels!!!

 

[Primitive Pony]

Hi! Can't help specifically with hamstrings, but I've had a couple of minor panics with my horse in the past few weeks with muscle strains and soreness, as his rehab progresses. I based my treatment of it on what I'd do myself for muscle strain ie keep moving gently - this seemed to work, turned him out 24-7 as normal and within a day or two it had settled nicely.

This weekend he's had couple more areas of tension, I've tried arnica gel on it, and it's been better warmed up so kept him working and will get physio back to him sooner than planned. I always think that if it's not an acute injury, turn-out and moving around have to be best?

 

[BethH]

Thank you, that's what I thought so I have popped him back out tonight and will give him a long rein tomorrow just gently in walk. I've just never had to deal with ligaments etc before, it's never been the thing that's gone wrong, so my knowledge or whether to work & keep moving or rest is poor. After a day in the stable and another massage this evening he seems a lot brighter & is putting more weight through the leg so fingers crossed!