Lame horse! Puzzling...

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Hollyhorse

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My horse is lame - despite being kicked several times since I've had him and having knees the size of balloons he's never had an unsound day n now he's about 2/10 - 3/10ths lame on his right fore (the vet came out this morn). He was fine last week then I was away over the weekend and rode him on my return on wednesday and he wasn't quite right, then the same yesterday so got out vet this morn. No heat, swelling, cuts, lumps or bumps. Sound on left rein when lunged on soft and hard and right rein on soft and then slightly lame on right rein on hard circle. Did some basic flexion tests but didn't localise the lameness. Used hoof testers and no response. The only thing we could say is that he has very flat front feet and tends to get long toes and weak heels but the farrier's coming on tues anyway so that would be usual that his feet get a bit long just before he's done. Hopefully trimming and new shoes will help, in the meantime he's on bute. The vet said to re-evaluate mid time next week. To be honest I'm slightly puzzled though and worried that it could either be something really minor and he'll be fine in a couple of days or that it's actually something quite serious... does anyone have any similar experiences or words of wisdom?
 
It might be relevant to explain that he's a 6 year old 16.2 ISH who I evented last year for his first season then BSJA and BD all winter. Not done much competing the last month, mainly dressage schooling. About to get him ready for this BE season.
 
I'd suspect an infection slowly forming, we had the farrier out once this week then the vet today to a horse with them in both feet..had one before but never two.
This year has been the worst I can recall for foot infections, and my farrier said he has never seen horses feet grow at the speed they are doing at the moment.
I would keep an eye on the off side hooves, it may just be enought o be slightly uncomfortable but will brew up to more very soon if it is that.
 
Yep, mine's just had an infection burst out at his heel - he thought he was definitely dying of a broken leg, went sound, back on three legs, then better
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I'd guess infection - they don't always react to hoof testers at first.
 
I'm no expert on lameness but my horse has been lame for a few days on right fore.After very careful palpation we realise he has pulled a muscle in his shoulder, there is no heat or swelling but he's short on right circle and uncomfortable when raising his right foreleg. I think he slipped as it was very muddy at the time. Just a thought if nothing else shows up....
 
Interesting, never heard of a foot infection before! Shall talk to my farrier about it on tues.

Cavalo - that sounds extremely possible as you're describing him almost perfectly! In that case hopefully a course of bute will help things settle and he'll be ok in no time
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