Lame pony - advice?

[OFG]

Morning

OK, 2 year old pony which is currently on a bussmans holiday at my yard is lame in her off fore.

No heat, no obvious tender spots on either her leg or hoof.

She doesn't seem bothered by it as still happily trotting / cantering around field. Just coming up a bit short in stride and when doing downward transistions 'nods' and skips along until can slow herself back down.

She is a very playful 2 year old and am pretty sure she has pulled or strained herself hooning about. Would you leave her for a few days to see if improves on its own or get vet? (been like this since Saturday afternoon).

Thanks

 

[Shay]

If it was going to improve on its own you would probably have seen signs of that by now. Whether you get the vet today or in the next couple of days you're going to have to before the weekend - if only to avoid a weekend call out fee!

It might be worth ringing the vet to see if there is anyone in the area with a scheduled appointment in the next 2 or 3 days with whom you could share a call out fee. If your vet does this - I know mine does.

 

[OFG]

Was thinking this myself. Have been speaking to the owner and both of us can reassess when I am out there tonight.

Only issue is that pony was really going for it yesterday around the field so can't help but think she will have agrivated any issue, hence no improvement being seen yet.

 

[sue_ellen]

I had something very similar to this with my daughters pony, he slipped on very wet ground and went down heavily in front and was very lame a few minutes later, and then the following day, but there was absolutely no clue as to what he had done. I phoned the vet told her what had happened and she said that he had almost certainly pulled a pectoral (chest) muscle. See if there's any swelling/heat/tenderness in the chest area. It took a good 3 weeks for him to come sound, it was just a waiting game. It might be worth mentioning it to the vet on the phone if they are willing to advise over the phone. And as you say, they do aggrevate it by hooning around, the silly beggars!

 

[Dry Rot]

If she's a recent introduction, could it be an injury from another horse in a peck order dispute? They are a worry, aren't they?

 

[OFG]

There's no heat / swelling or tender points anywhere on her front legs or chest area. Ran my hands all over trying to pin point origin of problem *shakes head*

She's been with my lot for just over 2 months so they have all settled into their routines (it was really bad for the first week on her arrival, posted about it and my randy 37 year old gelding )

Will see how she fairs tonight then advise owner to give her vet a call to ask advice.

Personally think it will be a wait and see thing.

Thanks for confirming what I was already thinking It's been so long (thank goodness and touch wood) that I've had to deal with lame pony that its good to get others opinions.

 

[Sophstar]

My pony was found caked in mud on friday morning and very sore on his hind legs and very quiet. Rather than initially panic, he got brought in, hosed down, legs all checked, no heat no swellings no cuts and nothing wrong with feet eg pulses. Gave him a sachet of danilon and tucked him away in the stable for some peace and quiet. He slept all day and my plan was to leave him in overnight but after eating his dinner he bolted under his bar and out the stable, so he had obviously brightened up and went back out. He trotted away but was still sore. Brought in yesterday and this morning, another round of danilon and tucked away again and he seems a lot better. From checking him over repeatedly the only place I get a reaction is from his gaskin muscle so I think he got stuck in the mud and has pulled something, but he trotted up near sound this morning and the vet has advised just to keep an eye and give him a week or 2 off.

Sometimes they just need some peace and quiet to rejuvanate from obviously a night attempting an escape in the mud

 

[OFG]

Update: Left pony and kept an eye on her. She was looking a lot better after a week and over the weekend but got a call from her owner on Tuesday evening (who was doing my lot as a favor) to say pony was non weight bearing.

I had the vet coming out yesterday anyway to do jabs so got him to have a look. Still no heat anywhere but pony seriously hopping lame and wouldn't put foot to floor. Vet and I practically lifted her out of the field into the stable

After a bit of prodding there was a slight reaction in the toe area, the paring knife came out and immediately a thin black line could be seen from the hoof wall.

1/2 hour later an abscess was found deep up into her hoof Gone in at the toe and straight up, very deep. Went with a pop and squirt.

Pony much, much happier and now fully weight bearing. Poulticing for a few days until fully drained and then will pack with hoof putty.

Keeping her in as field like a bog.