Help swollen leg, what to do?

[StellaArtois]

I have just been up to my mare and her front left leg is slightly swolen down ther cannon bone on the left hand side. From the back it doesnt look swollen but when you compare it against the other leg there is no definition of the bones(if that makes sense) There is a bit of heat on the left side and the inside of her leg is not swollen. I have cold hosed and put ice tight on it to keep it cool and she is now in her stable. She is not lame as such trots out but just looks sore when coming back to walk. I am hoping this is just a sprain and if it doesnt look any better I will call a vet. I spoke to two experienced friends one thought it was a tendon and to keep her on box rest and keep cold hosing the other whose horse did a tendon on the back leg quite badly said to keep her in the field to keep her mobile and swelling down. Any vets out there have different opinions she does not react to pressure or me gently squeezing her leg as if in pain.
Why does this always happen when you have dressage comp coming up and cross country. I just dont want to do her any damage. I knew I shouldnt have just bought that new jumping saddle last night!!!!

 

[teabiscuit]

if she'd torn a tendon she wouldn't be trotting up for you

personally i'd cold hose as much as i could, and let her mooch about in the field to keep the juices moving

 

[shell1978]

I agree, leave her out, as leg will only swell up more if she is standing around in stable.
But keep cold hosing 2/3 times a day.
Hope she gets better soon! x

 

[allbnl]

Don't mean to worry you. I had a similar situation at the beginning of May, horse was about to be plaited to do his first Advanced BE, and friend noted his slightly filled leg. Trotted sound etc. Did what you did for a few days with bute to help take swelling down, a few days later he seemed fine, did some of his best changes and dressage. Next day he was lame 3/10s' and scan has revealed a core lesion in the early stages of his tendon so out for the year to allow full recovery. In this time he had been selected for team training for potential Europeans. Keep up the cold hosing, ice tight and bute, just watch the bandaging as he has now got white hairs on his black legs

 

[minmax]

Yes, be VERY careful re bandaging. I know someone who ruined her mares front legs from leaving bandages on too tight for too long. She had to dye them everytime she took it out to a comp.

 

[SirenaXVI]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree, leave her out, as leg will only swell up more if she is standing around in stable.
But keep cold hosing 2/3 times a day.
Hope she gets better soon! x

[/ QUOTE ]

I would not put her out, IF it is a tendon injury it could be made worse if she has a 'moment' in the field. Would keep her in cold hose and bute, bandaging both legs but do be careful that the bandage pressure is absolutely even and not too tight. If she is no better in a couple of days I would call the vet.

 

[Orangehorse]

I agree about keeping her in if there is any question at all about it being a tendon injury.

Cold hosing, ice packs and bandage the other legs.
Would you give bute? I know that it takes swelling down, but it is also a pain killer. If there is damage surely it is better to know about it, and bute would let the horse do more than it should.