Lameness - 30 yr old pony - advice please

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zoeross0

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My 30 yr old pony (whos basically retired other than the odd lead rein of nieces) has been lame on her right front since a week before xmas.

She is worse on hard ground and in the mornings (shes stabled at night), she seems to improve when coming in from the field in the evening, so I thought I would give her a week incase it was an arthritic / stiffness lameness.

She is quite happy pottering in the field and well in herself other than this lameness, I have put her on devils claw and buteless supplements but only since Christmas Eve so not sure how soon these would make a difference (if at all). All she eats is haylage at night plus some chaff and sugarbeet.

Tonight when i picked her feet out it made her more hobbley when I put her in her box. I dont want to try box rest as she does get stiff and has tied up before.

Just after advice on how long to give her with these supplements, and would you then try bute and how many (she is only 14hh) before getting a vet look at her as at her age as long as shes happy doing her thing in the field I dont see the point in lots of tests for her unless absolutely necessary as this may just be old age. I have the farrier up on the 4th Jan so he can check her out whilst hes there.

Many thanks!
 
i would have had the vet before giving her devils claw etc. although homeopathic it does stress and load the liver. not what you want in an old pony.
 
Has she had an accident? My oldie was bowled over in the field by my sports horse... just an accident as he wasn't looking where he was going & ran into her. She was lame for a few days but it sorted itself out. I don't box rest her either cos she's a box walker, door kicker & won't eat or drink in the stable. She will be 37 soon.

Anyway, I wouldn't have known why she was lame unless o/h had actually witnessed it, so maybe yours had a slip or a fall?
 
Shes had laminitis before and looked very different, also she went lame before the cold spell, she could of injured herself in the field with some sort of strain, there is no obvious heat or swelling, she does seem to be lamer the more I lift her leg up or forward, I think I will see how she is tomorrow and prob call the vet if no improvement. I spose im more worried that the vets uncover something more sinister and not had a good year (lost my 7 yr old in september to steriod induced laminitis) but if shes not getting any better then I will get her checked out.
 
Have you considered an abscess?

Whilst stabled she is probably moving much less so if there is pressure it may be building then easing off whilst out.If it is an abscess she would also feel it more on hard ground.
 
Going on the fact that she's better in the mornings/after turnout I'd go with the arthritis. Have just posted a similar reply in NL but basically I had an oldie who was equally lame on both sides due to arthritis. She had a knock or slip one day on frozen ground which triggered off a more obvious episode.

At 14hh I would give her one bute a day but definitely get the vet out. TBH I didn't bother with herbal supplements because when they get to that age, permanent liver damage isn't that big an issue and I'd rather give mine a year or two doped up but comfortable, than 5 years in low-level pain. Given her age I'm sure they would be understanding about not wanting lots of unecessary tests done.
 
Yes did wonder if a poss abscess, will get my farrier to check this out, she still has front shoes on as shes too sore without them as she is sensitive to hard ground anyway, today she seemed slightly better than last night and is quite happy pottering around the field, will call my vet tomorrow and ask his advice as I dont expect miracles at her age, just want her comfortable as possible - thanks everyone
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I know you use the same Practice as me, so if you do get the Vet out, although I hope you will not need one, then I would suggest that you wait until you can get Judy to see her, as she is 100% for giving you a correct diagnosis on the first visit. She has been wonderful with Motor and I owe his life to her and Ben, together with my Farrier..... or failing that, Ben is brilliant too, but is not always available
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I hope she comes right soon, so good luck and I am sending <<healing vibes>>
 
Thanks Carol, she seems better today and walking fairly well in the field, but she is still not 100% (and pretty hobbley on hard ground) so will get an appointment arranged for Judy, she is not desperate but I think its gone on long enough that its worth a check up, doesnt help that im only got 4 weeks to go before babys due date so not in a great positon to bend down and analyise her leg either! Will let you know how she goes
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I am so pleased that she is feeling better today, as from my own experience, our oldens are the love of our lives and have given us so much .... and she is a lovely pony
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I thought baby was due any day, so I wish you luck and please let us all know what you have
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As it is not a rush to get to see the Vet, then you should be able to get an appointment with Judy fixed up, as she is a popular lady
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