Lame please give advise :(

[Daisy2]

Hi All
Went out this moring for a plod mostly walking bit of trot and about a 50m canter on grassy ground. Horse seemed uncomfortable on the way back (unshod) so I thought maybe a stone and got off to take a look, no stone, but did hold up his leg for me which never happens! Led him home and let out into the paddock. I checked for swelling and its a little puffy around the fetlock regions, very noticable when you check the other one.
He is now walking around eating but with his leg cocked and toe first. I have given him bute and put arnica gel on.
Any ideas? No history of lameness etc. I am so upset because I feel that maybe we should not have cantered even though it was long grassy area maybe it was still too hard under foot for him. I feel very sad.

I will call vet tomorrow but you know you hear of all sorts of career finishing injury stories... by the way I am a complete worrier.

Thanks
in advance.

 

[galaxy]

Have you trotted him up?

I would cold hose it. If he won't put weight on it I would call the vet now and not tomorrow. You need to have an idea what it wrong with him in case he needs to be stabled and not moving around.

 

[Sparkles]

Our horse had the identical last week.....was an absess in his foot [surprisngly guessed correctly from his owner from the start! Kudos to her lol, I was worried it was something more sinister for how lame he came in].
Found absess, cut the bit of the foot away and he's right as rain now.

If you've given him bute and it's an absess, then the lameness should still be there tomorrow. However, If he seems sounder but the swelling's still there or worsened, def get the vet out.

If you're still not sure after,I'd def get the farrier or vet to take a look at him