Old retired pony with fetlock swelling

[stubblet]

My 32 year old retired pony has some swelling in her left-hind fetlock. It is towards the back of the leg, either side of the canon bone, and is firm to the touch, feels like fluid pockets. It has been like this for about 1 week and appeared suddenly- i have been giving her 1 bute a day and continuing her turnout in a small paddock (with 1 other horse), as she gets very stiff when kept stalled, and doesnt move around anyway much these days! There has been some improvement, as she was very reluctant to weight bear on it at first. She is walking comfortably now, however still resting the leg when standing. I have had her for 16 years and she has had no injuries/ swelling to her legs at all... Being the age she is, and retired i am weary of any invasive treatment, but then dont want her to be in pain. I am thinking it may be a swollen tendon sheath? All i can think is the ground has been really hard and she may have stumbled.... Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Alison

 

[Littlelegs]

Get a vet. It doesn't have to be invasive treatment but no horse, especially an old pony should be left lame that long without even finding out what's wrong.

 

[stubblet]

Thanks for that helpful post and condescending advice- she is not lame, but there is still swelling, if you had read the post properly. The vet is coming out next week, but I was asking for advice in the meantime from anyone who had experienced anything similar.

 

[Littlelegs]

It wasn't condescending & I did read your post. Old pony can't bear weight on leg, a week later not lame but still resting it a lot. Did it not cross your mind the bute might have just made her look sound seen as its still swollen? Perhaps I just have different standards to you hence why it came across rude, I just assumed anyone with a horse that won't bear weight on its leg would immediately get a vet if they don't know what's caused it rather than buting it up & waiting a week & getting the vet the following week.