Horse now slightly dragging both hinds.

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Christmas Crumpet

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Had physio out as horse was arsing about in field and felt strange and slightly dipped on off hind side. He was also dragging off hind slightly and had scuffed his toe.

Physio came out on Weds and said he was all sore on his off side and probably about 6 out of 10 in pain despite being so good natured he didn't complain in a horrid way.

He had 2 days off after being treated and I rode him this morning. He was quite excitable but seemed fine most of the way. We did a bit of trotting - up a hill on a bend and round a couple more bends on the road. I met a friend out exercising and rode along with her for a bit. Then had to trot off because was going to be late for jumpjudging at p2p. I could then hear he wasn't picking his feet up properly and got home and he'd scuffed both hinds slightly to the outside. He had been picking up his feet fine before that.

A) is his back still hurting? b) should I have not trotted straight away or c) is it likely he was being lazy and wanted to stay with other horses?!!!

Probably all sounds silly but I feel a bit despondent seeing as physio said he'd be fine till end of hunting season after being treated.

If anyone has any ideas then great. I did do a bit of trotting on the diagonal he finds hard so wondered whether it had something to do with that.
 
TBH I would be surprised if one session with a physio would sort out a pain level of 6 out of 10. Did she give a "diagnosis" - why was he sore?
For me I would be looking at a vet on Monday and no riding until then. I am very paranoid as have a horse with suspensory problems and he dragged his hinds when it was painful. I would also be concerned about his SI joint or similar.
Until you know what the diagnosis is you cannot really make a plan. - Hope it is just a pulled muscle anyway.
 
As a sports massage therapist I agree with misst. One treatment for a horse that is judged to be in pain will not resolve the issue.

The physio should have given a diagnosis with a follow up plan and suggestions for work, training, saddle etc to assist.
Of course any undiagnosed pain should be referred to your vet first & if they're happy then physio can continue treatment.

Suspensory, SI strain, back strain around the loins & hock issues are all reasons for toe dragging, as is laziness or poor balance & rythm. Don't be alarmed or paranoid; speak to your vet first & go from there.
 
He's very sore on his right loin - I ran my finger down it and he almost buckled under the pain. He is definately in a lot of pain and I am miserable!!

I've given him 2 bute and let him out for a wander for an hour or two.

Will ring the vet first thing tomorrow and ask him what to do. Have also left message for physio telling her that he is worse. I rode this morning but only up the road and back again because he felt as though he was bracing his loins and felt very puffed up if that makes sense - almost as though he was bracing himself against the pain. I will not ride him again until he has been mended. At least now I know its not just me being "paranoid" as it were. By riding this morning I just wanted to make sure there was something wrong because trotting up he didn't look that bad.

Thanks for advice.
 
Good luck tomorrow and fingers crossed for a simple problem and a quick fix
smile.gif
 
If a horse is in as much pain as the physio said then I would be calling the vet out straight away. I regularly get the physio out and if he has ever had to have a couple of days off (he has never been as bad as what your horse sounds) I am told to bring him back in light work so I can't understand why you were not told this? I certainly wouldn't have been trotting up hills and on roads.

I think you should get the vet out for a proper exam I'm afraid
 
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