Mystery lameness

dominobrown

dominobrown

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My horse has mysteriously gone lame and I and my boss are stumped for ideas. He was sound and fit (eventing fit), had an easy day, the next day took him out for a gentle hack. He was fine in walk but in trot I was sure his was no level on his right fore. Also walking down hills he didn't feel level. Got back and checked legs feet etc. There are no lumps, bumps, heat, swelling, cuts etc. Same with the feet. No obvious bruising, nothing at all :confused:
The next day to assess him further, there was still no signs, I lunged him (in just headcoller for a few seconds). On the left rein he is ever so slightly lame on right. On the right rein he is nodding etc (I literally did a half circle before stopping as my mum could see it too). He is still fine in walk so is out chilling in the field.
He isn't hopping lame but a lot worse on the right rein than the left, were he is just a little unsound. He was entered for Hexham, and I have withdrawed (without a refund :mad: need money!).
Any ideas guys??
(p.s he is fit and ideal weight, really annoyed as his flat work is so good at the mo as he has more muscle than ever over his back :( )
 
I had a similar incident a while ago with my almost brand new horse. After about a month with me he came in on 3 legs with a small swelling on the inside of his near fore. The vet came out and we did 3 days box rest with bandaging and icing and he came sound so on vet's advice he went out again in small paddock, but he was lame that evening. I then had him in for another week with the same result - as soon as he went out he was lame, but this time there was no swelling or heat....so next time I got the vet before I put him out. He walked & trotted sound, before and after a flexion test, but after lunging he was slightly lame again so after a negative u/s scan I put him on box rest for 3 (very long) weeks, with grazing in hand and once he was sound put him out doped for 2 days. After a week in the field and still sound I have brought him back into work slowly.

We have no idea what caused it, or what it was but it seems like rest was the only answer. I would take him very easy, maybe put him in for a couple of days and see how it goes.
 
Vets coming tomorrow, he's not hopping lame so the vet is going to pop round when he's nearby. I first thought it could be a splint niggling away but he still has no heat and swelling and it clean legged. He seems to enjoy mooching around the field and isn't in obvious pain. Might give him some bute to see if it makes a difference. I think when the lameness isn't obvious its often worse :?
 
dominobrown said:
Vets coming tomorrow, he's not hopping lame so the vet is going to pop round when he's nearby. I first thought it could be a splint niggling away but he still has no heat and swelling and it clean legged. He seems to enjoy mooching around the field and isn't in obvious pain. Might give him some bute to see if it makes a difference. I think when the lameness isn't obvious its often worse :?
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Don't give him anything until the vet has seen him. My mare has the same symptons - no heat or swelling but is lame. She's off to the hospital on the 21st June for further tests :(
 
Doesn't sound good! Hope your mare is ok lauren. He hasn't done anything, he doesn't hooly around the field or anything. He was literally born in my field, and I have owned him for about 6 years now and has never once been lame. I really have no idea what it is!!
 
We are in a similar situation. My OHs horse is lame on her RF. It started 6 weeks ago after she was shod she looked slightly lame. Got the farrier out and he couldn't find anything wrong. She was then sound for a week, rode her and she went lame out on a hack - was fine at the beginning of the hack.
We called the vet out and she couldn't find anything, no heat, swelling, no problems with hooves. Sid she was 2/10ths lame and to give her 10 days off. She has had two weeks off and looks much better, am going to give her another week off and see how she is. I am paranoid that it's navicular or something awful!
 
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