Fruitcake
Well-Known Member
My horse seems to have hot pasterns, possibly related to wet or muddy conditions. (All four feet). A couple of years ago, a similar thing happened in autumn and I mentioned it to the vet when he came to do boosters. He said it was a bit strange but didn't seem bothered as long as he wasn't lame (which he wasn't). I've noticed this at other wet / muddy times since. Over the past few days, though, I've noticed he's been stamping his back feet in the mud too. (We've had loads of rain and areas of the fields are very muddy). This morning, when I picked out his feet, he didn't seem to want to hold his back feet up straight but sort of stretched them out and back to their full extent as I was holding them. (Although he wasn't uncomfortable on three feet- didn't want to put foot down, just stretch it back!) His pasterns were warm again. Couldn't find any digital pulse or scabs (thought of mud fever and laminitis immediately- although he's never had either before) He seemed reluctant to walk over the muddy area of the field so I thought just to be sure, I'd call the vet. She seemed baffled too. She couldn't find digital pulse either and used hoof testers. She did say she's not really concerned as he's definitely not lame. . (Actually had a mad charge around with lots of standing on back legs when I turned him back out this morning). I do think it's related to the wet weather in some way. Oh, also don't really want to keep him in if at all possible as he's being treated for gastric ulcers and so obviously being turned out is better for him. (Vet agreed with this). So sorry for such a long post. Thanks for reading. Has anyone had anything similar? I do tend to worry about everything. (Even though vet said not to). Would like to know what it could be!