Is this a hematoma ?

[Lmc1]

Hi, my friend took my horse on a charity ride on Sunday. It was the first time he has been away without me in his life so I was nervous as it was but then I checked on him the next day and he had this on his girth! My trainer said it was a hematoma from the girth being on for a long time as the ride was 3 ish hours. He is used to this tho as he goes hunting but I havnt ridden him since, just lunged him for 15 mins when I first saw it to see how it was. It was firm ish but still able to squish if that makes sense. I’m not sure weather to ride him or not as the girth would make that uncomfortable I’m assuming, but I’ll check on it ahain tomorrow as it would have been there 6 days tmr. What should I do, should I give him time off untill it goes away? Mt trainer is telling me to ride him but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Tia

 

[Capalldonn]

To me it looks rather like an oedema? That can happen when the girth is strapped too tight and/or after a long ride when the girth is loosened abruptly and not gradually, hole by hole. I usually get off about 20-30 min before I reach the stable, give a hole or two and after a few minutes repeat one or two more times, if necessary.

I was taught for each hour in the saddle, count at least 5-10 min before you fully loosen the girth and take away the saddle.

I would definitely not ride him with that! I'd try if a cooling gel or cooling in general helps to reduce the swelling, and if not better soon, call the vet.

 

[ycbm]

I don't know why it should be haematoma full of blood. That usually takes an impact to break a blood vessel. That looks much more likely to be an oedema, water, as C says above.
.

 

[dixie]

My horse was double barrelled whilst out on a ride last weekend and something similar came up on his shoulder.
I cold hosed it for half an hour directly after the ride and gave him one bute. It had completely gone down by the next day.
I wouldn’t ride with such a large oedema like that especially in that area.

 

[ycbm]

As for riding, I put my advice on this thread you started.

What should I do?

Hi, my friend took my horse on a charity ride on Sunday. It was the first time he has been away without me in his life so I was nervous as it was but then I checked on him the next day and he had this on his girth! My trainer said it was a hematoma from the girth being on for a long time as the...

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