Lameness in a front leg - Advice PLEASE!

mischamoo

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Hi all, after a bit of advice while awaiting for the vet to come out to my boy.

He tripped up yesterday while out hacking, didn’t fall over but just seemed to stumble over his feet. I walked him in hand back to the yard and I then trotted him up. He suddenly fell short (in trot only) landing heavily on his front left leg. Cold hosed the leg and checked for signs of heat and swelling, there was none. Checked him this morning and still no swelling or heat, seems fine in himself, drinking eating etc as normal, trotted him up this morning and although not as lame as yesterday afternoon (i.e now only landing heavily every other stride) have kept him in and have contacted the vets for some advice. They have recommended I keep him in to rest and poultice the suspected foot until they can come out tomorrow afternoon.

Another point to add is that he had his back done at the beg of December and after treatment, I trotted him up and he was coming up lame in trot and landing heavily on his left leg again. After a few days rest he was fine but may just be a coincidence but he is exhibiting the same symptoms as he was back in December. Note I didn’t get the vet out that time as he came sound after those few days and I didn’t think there was anything to worry about and put the soreness down to him having his back treated.

As there is no heat or swelling in his legs I’m mindful to suspect he’s maybe got some hoof or shoulder problem. His feet were done on 21st Dec and farrier said there appeared to be no problems then that he could see.

He’s happy standing and not stiff or uncomfortable to walk, its only noticeable when asking for trot, and he seems to be less lame on softer ground.

Has anyone seen the same problem themselves in their own horses or could provide some advice (hopefully reassuring!) as to what could be the problem?

I’ve had him over a year and he’s been fit and healthy since I’ve had him with no known previous medical problems or lameness, he’s a 13 year old TB in pretty good general fitness and health. He's a general all rounder that I use to hack, jump and school on, no hard work at the moment and is worked just at weekends while nights are dark. Never experienced this problem with him before!
 
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