Horse lame on one rein only

[Showjumper17]

Hi!

Horse in question is a 5 yr old gelding. He had been away for the summer (being ridden) and was turned out a few weeks ago. He is barefoot.

I had a quick ride on him a week ago and occasionally thought I felt an odd stride, but put it down to the arena being deep as he looked fine when I trotted him up.

I went to lunge him a few days ago and noticed he was slightly lame on the left rein. Fine when going to the right or straight. I believe its the inside leg but I keep going back and forth on that as its so slight and he doesn't do it every stride.

I have a vet app booked but it's not for another week & a half and i'm worrying myself silly.

Gave him bute 2x day but it didn't seem to make any difference, again hard to tell as it's so slight and not every stride, I thought he looked a bit better yesterday but I could easily be imagining things. So i've stopped the bute for now.

I'm thinking (hoping!) stone bruise or abscess but can't see anything.

Any advice appreciated, i'm over thinking and worrying here!

 

[L&M]

Could you get your farrier out in the meantime? I would far rather a farrier assessment first on a lame horse, especially if you suspect it could be hoof related.....

 

[Showjumper17]

Could you get your farrier out in the meantime? I would far rather a farrier assessment first on a lame horse, especially if you suspect it could be hoof related.....

That would be my first port of call too but I live in a very remote area of Canada, our farrier lives about 2 hours away. He’s also horrendous for showing up on time, but he’s an old family friend of my husband and his family, whom I live with so my hands are somewhat tied.
I have, of course, contacted him, on the off chance he is driving past - but I think the vet is my best bet to get an answer in a timely manner.

 

[ycbm]

One likely thing is his foot balance. Can you take is some pictures from dead square on in front with the camera almost on the ground, and a set looking straight down his heels while you are holding his foot up? Does the lameness get worse or better if you lunge him on a hard surface?
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