Lame in Trot - Worse when ridden

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claire_india

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My horse Indy has been lame for 3 weeks now. She's stabled at my farriers yard (my husbands uncle :)) so I got him to have a look at her as soon as I noticed it. She looked a bit off so he had a look but didnt think there was anything in her foot. I gave a her a few days rest but after 4 days she still hadnt come right so I called the vet. He took her into the clinic did some checks, nerve blocked her and said it was definitely in her front off foot (we thought she'd felt lame behind!). The vet took xrays and they came back clear thankfully! My farrier had pulled her shoe few days after coming back from the vets and she yielded to the hoof pinchers...but did the same on the near front foot! He's convinced theres nothing in the foot as no heat. She's not got any worse or better since day 1 so its very frustrating! Vet spoke to the farrier and he said he was very puzzled, told me to keep her in light work to see if it would bring it on more.
The past 2 days she's had small bit of heat at top of her hoof near the coronary band. Farrier still not sure whats causing it though. We've changed her bed from sawdust to straw (she's only been on sawdust for 3-4 wks). Anyone any suggestions?? I'm thinking abcsess but I've no experience with them so would be grateful for any help at this stage! Thanks :)
 
If you are thinking there may be an abscess have you poulticed yet?

I will say that every time Ive seen an abscess the horse has been hopping lame like they have broken the leg - but wouldnt rule it out just in case x
 
Hi,
Just to say my horse exactly same type of scenario! At vets on Monday for nerve blocks and xrays which were clear like yours. Our vet has said he thinks its a hoof balance issue and horse reshod yesterday with side clips in front , shorter toe and longer at heel for more support. We have to see how he goes for the next 2 weeks, he is to get some turnout daily. He is also much worse under saddle, he was trotting up almost sound at the yard so I am arranging for the physiotherapist to check him over, particularly back, shoulder etc. If not better then vet said he will probably medicate the joint so fingers crossed!

Good luck with yours too!!!!!!!!
 
With the hard weather we have had there have been alot of bruised soles and things going on at the moment with the hard ground, mine got one from just going out into the field during the day. So mioght be a bruise rather than an abscess so woudn't nessecarly be hoping lame.

TBH my first move now would be to poltice the foot the vet has diagnosed the lameness in for a few days and see how that goes.
 
Thanks! Initially my farrier thought there was no point poulticing as he didnt think there was anything to draw out. Now that there's some heat in the foot though I'll get him to have another look at her (he last checked her 2 days ago) and will say it to him again about poulticing...will let you know how it goes :)
 
Update! I went home last week with the intention of putting a poultice on but her foot was stone cold! There's been no heat in it at all in the past 6 days. The vet had advised that I keep her in light work so I hacked her on the roads on Thursday and Saturday and she was sound...she trotted uphill and downhill and seemed fine. When I got back on Saturday after trotting on the roads there were two farriers in the yard so I trotted her around the yard for them and they both said that she looked fine. :) However yesterday evening I decided to ride her in the sand arena which is a 5 min hack from the yard. I trotted her on the road and again she seemed fine but when I started working her in the sand arena she felt lame again :( She was definitely uncomfortable in trot, putting her head up, shortening stride etc On the way back to the yard I trotted a bit on the road and she felt fine again! There's still no heat in her foot and no pulse. :confused:

Anyone had this type of experience before??
 
Probably then not in the foot,more like soft tissiue somewhere.Sand makes the legs work harder and roads show foot probs sooner
 
If you can lunge her there is a way to decide if the lameness is up high or down low. Lunge in trot on either rein.

If the horse goes more lame on the inside then the lameness is in the lower limb/foot. Reason - more weight being placed on the inside foot.

If the horse goes more lame on the outside of the circle then the lameness is higher up. Reason, outside shoulder has to move further than inside so if sore higher up it is harder for the horse to reach around the circle.
 
Thanks! When she was at the vets 2 wks ago they told me the problem was in her foot because when they nerve blocked she was sound, then x-rayed which were clear. However they didnt mention anything about soft tissue damage...seems like they should have at least considered it. I might give them a call later again and see what they say. Thanks again for your replies
 
My mare is lame with foot problems, as in they nerve blocked and that showed it was in the hooves. She has now had 2 weeks box rest and today I had to ride her out in walk - she has just finished a course of bute - and have to do so for the next week before taking her back next Tuesday. She was still lame, its so gutting when its so hard to pin down what it is.
 
When I posted last week Indy was quite lame to ride on soft ground but was fine on hard ground so I rang my vet and gave him this update but he still advised me to keep her in light exercise to see if she would 'ride out of it' or if not then the problem should get worse and then he'd be able to identify the cause! Not the response I was hoping to get from an equine vet with 25+ years experience!
However!! I rode Indy on Thurs eve, she was still sore and there was slight heat in her foot. Friday eve I check her feet...stone cold...ride in the sand arena and 10 times better! She's still not 100% but there has been a definite improvement. There is no sign of anything come out of her foot (puss etc). I had started her on AfterAce supplement (made my Immunall) about 2 weeks ago cos I'd heard great things about it and her previous owner had her on it too...only thing that I can think of that might've made a difference!
Anyone had similar experience?? I'm delighted that she seems to be on road to recovery but would love to know whats caused her lameness (that lasted 4wks!) and what's cured it (well almost!)!! :)
 
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