Help has my pony got gravel???

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Gstar

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Hi i have a pony which my children ride shes 26 , i went out to her in the field yesterday and noticed she had a limp on her back right leg,ive had a good feel on her leg and all seems ok she let me feel and didnt seem in pain i ran hospipe on it for 5-10 mins n put her in stable. Ive gone back this morning and shes stood with foot in the air and doesnt seem to want to put any weight on it theres no stones or anything stuck under her hoof . Shes layed down now and still eating and drinking .My friends fella is a farrier he is coming to look later, Im really worried as im new to keeping horses she was brought by my mum who is a keen horse woman and ive grown to love her !! Any advice would be appriated !! Thanks !!!!:(
 
call vet out as an emergency - if it is non weight bearing you need the vet straight away. Hope it all works out ok
 
It is most likely an abscess, the farrier is the ideal person to have a look if it is but get him quickly as possible.
Once he has found and opened it up she should be more comfy but you need to get a poultice and bandages ready for putting on afterwards.

She will, if it is an abscess, need to have her foot put into hot salted water to soak once or twice a day for about 10 mins, then a poultice applied to keep the area clean and help with draining. Once the poultice has been clean for 2 days she can have a dry dressing put on until the hole has healed.

She should be sound within a few days but depending on how bad it is it may take longer, you must get the vet if the farrier finds nothing, no pony should be in that much pain for too long as it could cause other problems such as colic.

Update later if you need to ask any more questions:)
 
I am a farrier, and I would implore you to get a vet first.
We are not allowed to diagnose, prognosis or treat without it being a referral from a member of the veterinary profession.
There may be times when I know what the problem is but would be making a huge mistake without involving the vet.
If your horse for example does not have an up to date tetanus jab and the lameness is due to a rusty nail penetrating a sensitive area, the farrier removes the offending nail and just recommends a poultice, this in my opinion is negligence and the farrier could be culpable, without insisting that you get the vet.
I do not want to paint a picture of doom, what I do want is to keep working at the concept that we professionals should work together for the betterment of the animal, at all costs!!
I hope it all turns out fine as I am sure it will.
 
Hi thanks for your advice ive had the vet out shes given her pain relief and is unsure if its a abcess or lami so treating her for both?? given me antibiotics n pain relief to give her. Im still gonna get a farrier out to have a better look at her foot as the vet couldnt get a proper look and gonna ring a vet that specialise in horses tomorrow for a second opinion .Toffee has started walking about again and ive been advised to keep her in for at least a week.
Thanks everyone for advice
 
sooo pleased to hear she is a little better - where in country are you ? the fab peeps on here can probably recommend a horsey practice - I wouldnt use anyone except an equine vet. If keeping in with suspected lami make sure you keep her on a very deep shavings bed and soak all hay - no haylage or hard feed. Others will be much better placed to advise. Hopefully an abscess and it will burst and leave her non the worse but farrier a good move too.
 
Im in pickering north yorkshire , its nice to be able to ask for advice when your unsure ! Thanks for info on hay etc ill be sure to follow it ! someone has recommended a vet so ill be ringing tomorrow any advice or info is much appreciated !
 
bump ! anyone else got good advice for GStar, I am not v clued up on either lami or abscess so I am sure Gstar would appreciate someone with a bit more knowledge
 
There's an emergency diet tab at the bottom of this page. Soaking hay is very important. http://www.ecirhorse.com/index.php/laminitis

Rainbow clinic in Old Malton are excellent equine specialists. x

ps. If the vet suspects laminitis it may not be a very good idea for the farrier to be tempted to dig for an abscess.
 
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I did the abscess care yesterday but am rather surprised about the anti biotics given they are not routinely used for foot abscesses, the best treatment usually is poulticing and tubbing, ideally once drainage has started.

There is loads of info on laminitis care and everyone will vary a bit, the main thing is restricting movement until they are comfortable, very deep shavings bed to support the feet at all times, well soaked and rinsed hay 12-16 hours is ideal. No sugary feed or treats, this includes carrots and apples.

No access to grass until the vet says so, turnout on a soft surface such as a school or woodchip pen may be the best route before going back on grass.

Try to gradually reduce the pony's weight no fasting it needs to be slow and steady, keeping plenty of fibre going through them, supplements to support the hoof can be invaluable.

Regular farrier visits to keep the feet trimmed will be essential, every 3 or 4 weeks may be required to keep the balance needed at this critical time, they often grow very quickly in response to laminitis and this must be kept on top of in order to help recovery.

I think this will be an abscess the pony was very lame on one foot only, although laminitis can affect one, this sounded more non weight bearing as an abscess will often be almost as if it has a broken bone.

Hope it gets sorted quickly.:)
 
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