Horse lame today, no indication of why, abscess?

[Coop]

Took my boy to do grids this morning, as soon as I trotted off in the school I could tell his back end was not right.

He was falling short on his near hind, not hopping. I would say it was a smooth type lameness, slightly dipping his leg. He then did not want to put weight on the back of his heel. And not keen to turn on it.

Cannot find anything wrong, no swelling, pulses up or cuts etc. Unless its something higher up.

Pretty sure it may be the start of an abcess.

Farrier coming out on mon, will trot him up again tomorrow.

Should I tub (epsom salt) it before farrier comes or just leave it? It may not be an abscess but not sure if I should wait and see if he is worse tomorrow, sounds cruel I know, but in my experience they always seem to get worse b4 they get better! Won't give him any bute as don't want it masked. He is out on soft ground.

Help!!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hind leg be abscess as you say also could be nail prick or nail bind.
Could have twisted something or pulled something in the fields.
Also could be higher up in the stifle area , or hock area. Could be numerous things also his sacrum could be out .

Without video its hard to pin point . I suggest you check him for any heat or swelling if there is you can cold hose him if not any better rest him a few days if by Monday or tuesday he is no better or worst get the vet

 

[Coop]

Thanks, I will keep a close eye on him. Really hope it is an abscess but you never know. I think I may tub it tomorrow to clean it off again and see if I can see anything,thanks again.

 

[GoodyGoody]

Have you touched all around the hoof and lower leg area? Are all 4 hooves equally warm? If you palpate around the coronal band your horse will tell you if he is sore. Ditto up the lower leg and the back of the hoof. If you have some pliers or something similar it is worth testing the sole of the hoof as this will indicate any areas of particular soreness. Does he show the same problem when longed as mounted? Depending on the way the horse presents it could be that he has a problem in his hip area.