Not lame, just not moving freely

S_N

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Would a fall in the field (couldn't be anywhere else tbh) hamper the way a horse moves, without lameness? Horse normally has free & elastic movement - very ground covering, with minimum effort - but is now a bit stuffy in walk and trot and crabby in canter. Vet or back man do you think? And what kind of back man? Thanks
 
Definitely, just what has happened to my YO horse, must have fallen playing silly beggers in field. She got physio out who then referred her on to the vet, diagnosed strain to sacro-illiac area
 
Blimey how long ago did this start.
Could be Azortoria.
Best quick test, get horse to wee asap. If it is dark brown Thats the answer.Call vet ASAP. In mild cases can give them bicarbonate of soda. Would give anyway whilst waiting for vet.
 
Don't worry, it's not Rhabdomyelosis. I've dealt with that, as well as written papers on it - thanks though mate!
 
Righto - will have a chat with the vet then. Ta mate - love the sig btw
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I'd start with an equine massage tbh - I'd think that horsey has fallen over and will feel a bit stiff and sore - same as when we get dumped by our lovely nags - don't assume the worst

Equimassage will merely free up the muscles. If there is still soreness/movement issues after that then you know that it's a more serious problem.
 
I'd go for back person first.
We have just booked the McTimoney lady for two horses that appear slightly unlevel, one has a sore back to the touch and the other is Chocx who has a tight area in front of his withers after the XC fall 10 days ago. He seemed fine but the muscles must have tightened up.
Vets are fine but from your description it sounds like a muscle problem to me.
 
My concern is that round here, many non-vet specialists won't touch a horse without referal. I do agree though - I've tested the back and had no reaction and horse in question went through a spate of jumping out (cured now fence it working properly).
 
How about laminitis? Robert Eustace says that people go down the back man/shoulder lameness route, and then it turns out to be laminitis.

I would rule that out FIRST.
 
I think I would be inclined to get the vet out first (if for nothing more than a referral as I need one with my chiro for Han and Grace). Once they have ruled out bruised soles etc (I know it sounds silly but that is what we think Grace had when she was completely crippled last week on a turn but sound to trot up... ) then they can give you their opinion on where they think the lameness is coming from.

Just an aside, when I worked for Equissage we were shown a study that took place. A large number of vets were asked to analyse the horse's lameness from the trot up and even though many were saying shoulder/sacroiliac/hock etc etc, many of the lameness issues in the horses were being diagnosed as resulting from something in the foot
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Sienna is like this at the moment and it's due to her feet being unbalanced. I would get a vet who is good on gait & foot balance.
 
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