Lameness/ 20year old/ no previous issues/ no injury

[Unicorn2602]

Have a horse that’s intermittently lame.
Started roughly 11 weeks ago, came out the box a little lame on the front left.
No heat or swelling, no tenderness, no injuries, box rested for 3 days 3 nights came out sound.
Few weeks later mild lameness again, still no heat or swelling, no tenderness, no sign of any injury.
Lightly worked her some days and the lameness would go, other days lameness was persistence so box rested.
Began to think it was a bruise due to turn out/wet weather/ stony paddock.
Farrier checked her over nothing found, wasn’t due to be shod either.
she went on Bute for 30 days and light to no work, still intermittently lame.
Put her on box rest for 2 weeks with Bute once a day, got her out still lame, still no heat or swelling etc.
Had the vet out, they checked her over, nothing obvious, they nerve blocked her from the heel down, still lame. Then nerve blocked her from the ankle down, still lame so it’s higher up the leg.
Vet has said box rest for 10 days with Bute am and pm, to be reassessed after the 10 days.
Anyone have any idea as to what could be the cause of the lameness?!

 

[Unicorn2602]

Also the whole time she’s been on and off lame she’s been pointing forward in front left (lame leg)

 

[asmp]

Was going to say it sounded very similar to my horse: intermittently lame and no sign of anything and same age. Turned out, after X-raying that he has calcified side bones (something I’d never heard of) but as yours has been nerve blocked and is still lame I’m assuming it can’t be.

 

[Orangehorse]

Arthritis in the shoulder?

When mine was a bit off I had vets come and look and couldn't see anything wrong with legs, but had a new vet who found a painful hip.

Unless there is something obvious, I'm afraid that at that age arthritis would be first thoughts. Unfortunately most horses get it in the end.

 

[Unicorn2602]

Arthritis in the shoulder?

When mine was a bit off I had vets come and look and couldn't see anything wrong with legs, but had a new vet who found a painful hip.

Unless there is something obvious, I'm afraid that at that age arthritis would be first thoughts. Unfortunately most horses get it in the end.

I’m hoping it’s arthritis! Will see what the vet says!
these 10 days are taking forever!

 

[Orangehorse]

I’m hoping it’s arthritis! Will see what the vet says!
these 10 days are taking forever!

If it turns out to be, it isn't fixable, there is some treatment but no cure. I give mine a joint supplement but basically he is on bute.

 

[Unicorn2602]

I know it’s not fixable and I’d probably semi retire her if it was but would rather arthritis than an injury

 

[Unicorn2602]

Also the whole time she’s been on and off lame she’s been pointing forward in front left (lame leg)

Was going to say it sounded very similar to my horse: intermittently lame and no sign of anything and same age. Turned out, after X-raying that he has calcified side bones (something I’d never heard of) but as yours has been nerve blocked and is still lame I’m assuming it can’t be.

she’s a strange one, she was sound before I brought her, was fine the first 2 months, hadn’t really done much on her jumped a few cross poles but mainly did flat work and then one morning she was just lame!