lameness advise

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serena2005

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Hiya,

I'm posting this to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues and how they dealt with it.
I have a 17year old and every time I take her out on grass eg xc or for a canter she is lame a day or 2 later.

The first time I put it down to having no shoes on and was foot sore. No heat or swellings.

The second time a few months later went xc again, was lame on and off for about a month. She had got kicked at xc so I thought that may have some thing to do with it.
Vet was called advised to put front shoes on, which I did. And if she hadn't come sound within 2 weeks the vet was to do nerve blocks, but she came sound by the end of the first week, total relief!!

She's been sound for months now and iv built her fitness up so decided to take her out Saturday.
There was more road work than I expected and I all ready expected her to be foot sore behind, as well as being sore behind she's also lame in front.
There's no heat or swelling's. My instructor said there is a slight pulse in her fetlock.
I'm going to give her a week to see if she comes sound, then call the vet.

My worse nightmare is that there is an underlying issue with her feet.
Or is she just too sensitive to ride on uneven ground.

She's more than comfortable jumping a course of jumps a sand school.

Feeling very depressed about this and really not looking forward to another vet visit
 
I would suspect there are some slight arthritic changes in her joints, it may be in the foot but could easily be the fetlock joint, at her age and with the history it is the most likely scenario, it is not the end of the world and would be sensible to investigate sooner rather than later so that appropriate treatment can start.
I would get the vet while she is still lame as it will be easier to block her, if it is the feet, which is where the vet will start, then xrays can be done, if it is arthritis it should be fairly clear and you can get on with treating her before she gets worse, if you leave it until she seems sound then there is nothing for the vet to block out.
 
Well history tells you that she will come sound again - presumably with rest. So I would book your vet now whilst she's lame to do the lameness work up.
 
Thank you, that makes alot of sense.
if xrays were needed Can it be done at home or would she have to go to a surgery?

I obviously want to get to the bottom of why this keeps happening, but nervous of mounting vet bills. She is insured but she's not my horse.
What would I be expecting to pay for nerve blocks in all legs and xrays?
 
Your vet will probably want the horse at the surgery, although in some cases it can be done at the yard.

Regarding cost, much will be depend on how many blocks and x-rays are done. But, as you say, the horse is insured, so the costs shouldn't be a worry.

Obviously you'll need to arrange all of this with the owner, and should not be expected to foot the bill.
 
It is possible to do at home the more lame she is the easier to do, you will need access to electricity for xrays most are digital and can be seen immediately. It is sometimes easier to take them in so speak to the vet and see what they prefer.
Insurance should cover the costs, something to bear in mind is that if you leave investigating for too long they may not pay, either due to you taking too long to get started so over 12 months from first seeing signs or because you have reinsured without declaring that she has been on and off lame, they do like to wriggle out if you fail to follow the t's & c's , speak to her owner obviously she needs to know but if she is on loan and you pay the insurance the decision to get the vet should be down to you.

Cost will depend, xrays about £40 each, 4 probably per foot that needs looking at, nerve blocks depend on how many areas need blocking but they will only be blocking the lame one, if she is not lame there is nothing to block.
 
Hi, Iam a recently trained Veterinary Thermographer and also quite new to these forums! I couldnt help myslef but to just introdce myslef and just say; I have screened a few older horses this month and all have begun these arthritic changes and all fall under what you are describing. Any inflamation that is present in the body our medical grade software is sure to find it. The service allows owners to identify an accurate location for intermittent lameness. The added factor is that (chasing the pain) is removed and a clear picture can be seen.
Please don't think i am just on a sales pitch i merely wanted to provide assistance :)
 
So she is lame on the left 1/10 and lame on the right 3/10.
On bute for 5 days and depending on how she is we will then do further tests.
Vet says it's definitely in the foot but wouldn't like to guess what it is, obviously!
It could just be soft tissue damage but she is showing typical signs of navicular :(
So only time will tell I guess
 
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