Lame Horse, advice please.

TicTac

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 April 2008
Messages
3,109
Location
Bedfordshire
Visit site
Over the last 2 or 3 days I have noticed that my mare is slightly lame on her off fore. She does not show an obvious 'bob' but has a shortened stride and a reluctance to extend. There is no heat, lumps or bumps anywhere in any of the tendons or the foot and she shows no objection to any sort of palpatation or pinch test on the hoof. She seems to be lamer on the softer ground ie the menage than on a hard surface.

I have not called the vet out yet because she is due to be shod on tuesday and as she doesn't seem too uncomfortable I thought I would let the farrier do an investigation first. Secondly she does have, what is termed as a ' club foot ' on the leg which seems to be causing her a problem but she is 10 now and never had any problems before, maybe that is just a coincidence. I did give her some bute for a couple of days to see if the problem went but it didn't make any difference.

My mare is very stoic and doesn't give much away. She has always been a stuffy mover untill warmed up and she does improve with excercise. I have only been lunging her in a pessoa for the last few days. ( but have stopped doing anything with her now untill probelm sorted)

So if the farrier can't find anything should I call the vet out to do a lameness work up which will involve much expense and a trip to the clinic or have a McTimnoney or equivelent take a look at her first. You advice and or experience of a similar situation greatly appreciated!
 
have just come through exactly the same thing... turned out to be hard ground and flat feet/hard soles and frogs.
hope yours ends up as simple as mine - but can sympathise with the worry side of it!
good luck x
my advise... farrier first then vet if no improvement x
 
Top