Lameness

[Caracorn]

Hi
My thoroughbred is currently lame and has been for an about a week. Started off a few hours after a new farrier put the shoe and started off 1/10 lame but then progressed to about 3/10 lame over the next two days and has not got any better. Normal farrier came out and said there was flex in the sole as too much was taken off, hoof has been tested and no sensitivity. Went lame after a polo match, could have twisted something? Probably not a bang as had bandages and tendon boots on at the time. There is a small bit of heat in the foot and in the fetlock and fetlock is a bit swollen too with a stronger pulse in the swelling. Can’t see any bruising but is a black hoof. Any idea what could be the cause?

 

[AmyMay]

Confused by your post to be honest. Was the horse lame after being shod or lame after a game of polo?

Either way this is clearly one for your vet.

 

[Barton Bounty]

The original farrier probably took the hoof back a little too much causing the lameness and yes it does get worse before better but especially if the horse has played polo lame , i think thats the jist of what you said. either way you need a vet if you rode in polo with a lame horse

 

[ycbm]

Is there a reason why you haven't asked a vet?
.

 

[Caracorn]

Hi
He didn’t look lame before the game started, in between chukkas or in the game but looked slightly footy as I lead him to the wash down. The farrier changed the shoes just before the game as the clenches were raised and I didn’t want him to lose it in the game and give himself an injury (ironically!) The vet checked him right after I washed him down and said it wasn’t tendon or ligament related and just to let him rest, and that he’d probably be fine the next day which clearly he wasn’t

 

[ycbm]

So why haven't you called a vet?
.

 

[Red-1]

Hi
He didn’t look lame before the game started, in between chukkas or in the game but looked slightly footy as I lead him to the wash down. The farrier changed the shoes just before the game as the clenches were raised and I didn’t want him to lose it in the game and give himself an injury (ironically!) The vet checked him right after I washed him down and said it wasn’t tendon or ligament related and just to let him rest, and that he’d probably be fine the next day which clearly he wasn’t

I'm not a vet, but I can't see how a vet can say it isn't a tendon or ligament injury from a look after a game? I know it too much detective work to find a ligament injury on mine when he had one. Unless the horse was scanned at the time, it was, I suspect, just a look to ensure the horse was fit to travel etc.

As he went lame at the end of a polo match I think a strain is as likely as poor trimming/shoeing, especially with a swollen fetlock. I would say it is urgent now, if it is still swollen after a week, as it could also be infection. I presume the shoe was removed asap, if that was thought to be the cause, in case there is a nail bind? That would get worse after a day or so.

I would take the horse to the local vet hosp for a full workup.