Lameness

[Footlights]

When I got my horse in from the field on Sat he looked a bit stiff on one of his front legs which was more obvious in trot - more like a bit of a limp, but not serious at all and he seemed more than happy trotting along.

He has no swelling, heat or feelable pulse in either one of his front legs so decided to put him back in the field and give him time off to recover - I'm guessing he has just been a bit of a prat in the field and it is very slippery at the moment. Keeping him in his box will just wind him up and make him very unhappy.

He is still no better today. When do you think I should I call the vet/put him on box rest?

 

[china]

if he wont be happy on box rest then dont bother, i dont particularly agree with box rest myself unless there is a reason to minimise mobility. you only get more problem swellings occuring.
have you lunged him to see how lame he is on a circle? if not do this and see whats hes like, if your unsure speak to your vet on the phone, they can advise you on wether it needs a visit. If there is no obvious heat or swelling hes prob just tweaked something.

 

[xxMozlarxx]

if he wont be happy on box rest then dont bother, i dont particularly agree with box rest myself unless there is a reason to minimise mobility. you only get more problem swellings occuring.
have you lunged him to see how lame he is on a circle? if not do this and see whats hes like, if your unsure speak to your vet on the phone, they can advise you on wether it needs a visit. If there is no obvious heat or swelling hes prob just tweaked something.

Ditto, I will never box rest again unless my horse actually breaks a bone. If i had an injury I would not lay in bed all day!! Regardless of what the injury is, moving about and keeping the bloodflow to all the limbs is really important in healing.

 

[Footlights]

Thanks for your opinions, I agree that box rest should be a last resort but know lots of other people have a different opinion.

He was still no better tonight but still no swelling or heat.

I think I am just being impatient - fingers crossed it will get better soon!

Thanks - I think I will call the vet at the weekend if there is no improvement.

 

[Ladylina83]

Ditto, I will never box rest again unless my horse actually breaks a bone. If i had an injury I would not lay in bed all day!! Regardless of what the injury is, moving about and keeping the bloodflow to all the limbs is really important in healing.

I hear this and hate to keep my girl in but the mud has just been so deep - to be honest we think she might have the onset of Ringbone or side bone (will find out today) at 19 it is not the end of the world but I do think it might not have shown had the ground conditions been better as only nodding slightly. box rest did enhance the problem had a pulse and more heat the next morning + swelling but the vet said that made it slightly easier to diagnose / pinpoint the problem area otherwise would just have been a slightly lame horse from the foot area and leant towards lami ! !

She is back out in the day now and stiff in the morning until half way up the track when she helps me through the mud ! and canters off + coming in much more sound than she went out

I had thought lami myself hence keeping her in or an abscess - thought it would be easy to tell as lami would get better being in abscess would get worse

 

[Footlights]

Had someone very experienced look at him tonight who thought he has probably just stood on a stone (he is barefoot) and is a bit sore.

He did seem a bit better tonight than he was last night so fingers crossed I won't need to call the vet out.

Think I will probably put shoes on the front soon though.