Odd thickening..

[measles]

One of our jumping mares has a thickening on the front, outside of her near fore cannon bone where it joins her fetlock. The thickening, which she's always had, has become more pronounced over the last month or so, although she's always had a bit of a thickening there.

I say thickening as it's not hot and she's not lame. However, the front outside of the bottom third of her cannon and over the front of outside of her fetlock is to touch like a capped hock - that is spare skin but no swelling as such.

Does anyone have any idea what this is? She's sound, aside from the slight increase in size it doesn't go up and down, and there's no heat. Her tendons and ligaments around the outside, inside and rear of her leg feel normal and there is never any heat or swelling, nor has the area had any trauma to my knowledge.

Anyone had anything like this before? Thanks

 

[squiff]

Yes. Sounds just like an old damaged suspensory ligament. I worked for a vet at his rehab yard and we had one come into us with swelling exactly where you say. We pin fired him (was never lame) and he had a year off. When back in work it was nigling and was retired from racing. Now doing dressage. Should think that perhaps if you are doing more now with her than over the winter the extra work is just aggrivating it.

I'd just monitor it and be careful.. Things like this can be worked on and go bang when over used. If in doubt get your vet to check.