kinda worried :(

lucyjane96

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My 3 year old is slightly lame on his back leg, when I say slight I mean very, its only because I know him that I can tell. The YO said him and his field buddy were really thrashing about last night and I know he can be silly! He's just not tracking up right and is rushing the leg a little. I think he is stiff or has knocked it. IV left him in tonight to give him a break from the constant pratting about. I have a big show coming up next week, any advice or anyone able to put my mind at ease??
 
If it will put your mind a little bit at rest, it may be absolutely NOTHING! IF you're lucky. Slight lamenesses on a hind leg can e serious though - particularly in a youngster. If you have some Bute/Danilon - put him on it for a couple of days, walk him in hand or turn out in a SMALL field on his own, then look again in 3 days! If he looks sound, stop the Bute and see if he's still sound in 24 hours.
 
Could just be stiffness from overexertion, he could have jarred something, he could have slipped and pulled something, or it could be completely unrelated to the field silliness and he could have something else wrong. If you're worried then get someone else to look at the horse.
 
Thanks janetgeorge, what could be the serious side if things?

Developmental problems - OCD, bone cysts etc - they tend to show up by the time a horse is 3. Or a 'normal' strain to suspensory. But a knock can be just as likely - and clear up quickly. That's why the 3 days Bute then a day off suggestion. For a knock, that's long enough! If he's still lame in 4 days (or if he gets worse on Bute) definitely a vet job.

I have LOTS of youngsters (about a dozen in each age group) and if I called the vet for each slight lameness I'd be bankrupt. The other thing to check for, of course, is a stone bruise or the start of a hoof abcess.
 
A stone bruise is likely as hes on a very stoney yard, im really hoping its nothing to worry about and hes just a bit stiff, he does a lot of bucking and thrashing about so i think it could be to do with that, i hope anyway! YO thinks its nothing to worry about and is likely due to last night, but when youve spent 300 on a stay away show and your horse is your pride and joy and your worried about his health its very worrying :( x
 
Good news! Just needed some rest. Just a thought but if you have big show comin up and the boys are playing rough at night could you leave him in over night until then to keep him safer, or turn out in different field.
 
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