Hind Leg Lameness and Clicking

[Amy_08]

My mare is lame again... She's recently just back in full work after having part of her splint bone removed from the near hind. Now she's lame on the off hind. I've checked for heat, swelling, knocks, cuts, up and down the leg but can find nothing. I've had a good feel over her backend and she's not sensitive anywhere. She's happy in herself, is weight bearing on it but is just short in her stride. Its slightly visible in walk and obvious in trot. She's also making a clicking noise, but this appears to be coming from the near hind around the hip/stifle area. I left her in the field yesterday, but no change this morning so have left her in today and will see how she is later. Any ideas? I will call the vet Monday to see what he says.

 

[the watcher]

What a nightmare! Clicking suggests ligament, I believe - but hopefully your vet will be able to be more specific with flexion tests

 

[Mike007]

Dam Dam Dam Blast, and she went so well when I saw you schooling at Mattingly.If she sounds clicky in the stiffle area ,avoid exercise involving turning.Hacking not school work, No Horse walker!
Its not long till drag hunting starts again and I,m not having you finding excuses!

Mike

 

[Amy_08]

Thanks, Mother Hen, I'm really confused she seemed almost sound last night and then worse again this morning. I can't wait until Monday when I can speak to the vet!

Thanks Mike, great advice as always. I want to have a go at a couple of intros as well before the end of the season, and then yes hunting-I need my horse fixed!!!

 

[Mike007]

Any inflamation in the stiffle joint can cause the joint to click or lock ,because the ligaments are no longer in their correct relative positions.Was she on an anti inflamatory, such as bute for the splint.Its possible that she has put more strain on the other leg ,and now ,if no longer on bute the stiffle joint may have become slightly inflamed.
Obviously go by what the vet says,but I suspect that after gently bringing her back into work,she will be fine.But as I have already said ,avoid the repetative strains onthe stiffle of turning.(Lance had somthing very similar a few weeks ago,but is fine now)

Mike