Pulled Muscle?? I think??

[Rakshasa]

Looking for advice on a pulled muscle? I've had a physio out who thinks it is that, we have not called the vet yet as I do not feel like I need to? It's only been two weeks and she is getting better however I was wondering if anyone else has had this and how long it takes to recover?

Two weeks ago I was working my mare on the lunge. She was fine on the right rein (walk trot and canter) on the left rein she was fine in walk, however trot and canter she was lame. She was like that a few days later and the physio believes she has pulled her muscle in her back left leg around her bicep area. We have been giving bute every other day and she's been having physio work around that area, it is now no longer tight and her tendon/hamstring down the back is much more supple. Tried her again on the lunge and she looked sound on the left rein in walk and a lazy trot, but again in an active trot she was only about 80% sound. Still a massive improvement from two weeks ago, but still not right. She is now also crossing over with her back legs.

She has not been box rested as she box walks and stresses so we have kept her out in the field to walk about and not strain that muscle anymore. Has anyone got any advice or how long this could take to heal? Do I call the vet or? Just a bit stumped, never had this before!

 

[Zoeypxo]

Id get the vet

 

[Bellaboo18]

You need a vet

 

[SEL]

I'd call the vet but ask your physio to write down exactly what they've found.

The vet may say to continue with physio but if it's a torn muscle then bodywork can make it worse.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The physio shouldn't have treated your horse if it was lame anyway.

 

[dapple_grey]

Physios aren't allowed to treat lame horses and they should have told you to ring the vet. She could just have sore muscles from compensating for the lameness.

I had one tell me my horse had pulled a muscle in his shoulder but he was actually lame in the foot - in my experience their diagnosis (which they also shouldn't be doing) is often way off the actual problem.

ETA: I have nothing against physios as they have their place alongside veterinary supervision. It's just a bug bare of mine when I hear stories like the OP.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Get the vet for a proper diagnosis.

 

[TPO]

As others have said treating an undiagnosed lame horse should not happen.

Vet permission should be sought before any therapist works on a horse (although I think rules changed slightly for routine work?). If owner hasn't disclosed a lameness and physio finds one on arrival they shouldn't treat and should refer to a vet (& still be paid).

Only a vet can diagnose and prescribe treatment. Where had the bute and doseage come from? A physio certainly shouldn't be advising on that. U less knowing exactly what is being dealt with treating on medication is another firm no and contradiction to physio treatment.

With no diagnosis and a "best guess" at a pulled muscle, buting and then treating while on bute could be doing more damage.

Assuming it is a muscle strain th4 average healing times are:
Grade 1 : 2-8 weeks
Grade 2 : 2-4 months
Grade 3 : 9-12 months

So yeah, call a vet.