Lame on muddy ground sound on hard ground?

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Hedwards

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So the vet has been called and is coming out this afternoon, just liking for some advice.

On Monday Mickey wasn't right on his near side hind, (osteo was out at the time) heat in the hoof, not dramatic but warmer then the other 3. He couldn't find any other issue with him. Poultices the foot and popped him in a dry flat paddock with haynets. The next day there was nothing in the poultice but his was significantly better, wasn't resting it, and was seen resting the good foot.

Today trotted him up again, fine on hard ground, maybe a bit delicate on the turn but not hopping. Walked him down to the normal paddock that has gotten quite muddy, and within 5 minutes (muching haylage from the floor) he was hopping lame, put his headcollar on, walked him out of the paddock... And he seemed fine again. He's now back in a dry paddock and seems ok. Like I say vet is coming, just wondered if you lot had any ideas? He's not shod behind and normally lives out 24/7.

I'm utterly depressed about all this as my other horse (retired) has been inbox rest for 4 weeks with an unexplained lameness too, I could cry Im so down about it all (not helped by the fact I have shingles too...)
 
Usually lame on surface, fine on hard indicates a ligament problem, while lame on hard, fine on surface indicates a tendon problem. However, what you describe (hoping lame in mud) sounds like a specific pain reaction to the conditions. Could it be a really aggravated mud fever on a sensitive horse?
 
How did it go with the vet? Generally speaking I have always gone with lame on hard ground sound on soft usually suggests boney problem such as arthritis whereas lame on soft ground and sound on harder ground tends to point to soft tissue injury of some sort. I hope you have some answers soon
 
Right well the vet had an emergency to get to so couldn't come until today, so Mickey came in yesterday, this morning still on/off lame but very reactive when I was picking it out, but not particularly hot etc. no sign of any swelling, no mud fever absolutely nothing, vet came at 1, so brought him out of the stable to clean him up a bit... Picked his hoof out, and there at the very tip of his frog... A big bloody weepy abscess! Vet arrived, took one look and said pop the poultice back on, he'll be fine! The relief was unbelievable! What I didn't put in my OP was that the stifle on this leg is excluded in his insurance due to an op with his previous owner... Because I am feeling grotty myself I'd convinced myself it was his stifle and it would be all over! However its very obviously an abscess, so I scrubbed it out, used a 1:1 water:hydrogen peroxide swill, hot poulticed it and popped him back in his stable happily munching! The hard/soft ground was to do with the mud smushing up into his hoof causing the pressure on the abscess. The relief is unbelievable! Sadly the old girl isn't getting better, but have the senior practice vet coming out on Monday to see her!

Thanks everyone!
 
My horse was lame for 3-4 months on soft ground - just like yours, within 5 minutes of going out was hopping lame.....same as yours an abscess burst and now she's fine! Glad yours popped quicker than mine did! :)
 
My mare is lame on the muddy ground too but to be honest I think she just struggles in the deep going as she has arthritis amd is getting old. The minute she is through the gate and on the firm ground she is fine. Unfortunately the only turnout I have is very muddy so I just try and not have her out too long at a time.
 
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