Shoulder injury - any tips/advice

[Topstripe]

Evening,

I went to get my full ID from the field this evening only to find him not stood at the gate as he normally is but half way down the field and not moving. On closer inspection noticed his front leg dangling. I ran down the field worried he had broken his leg!!!
When I get there find all his legs intact but when I tried to walk him forward he could not put any weight on his off side front leg.

I lifted up his rug and found a very large swelling, small cut and a smaller swelling further up his shoulder, obviously where his field companion had made contact. Evidence proved correct with a very nice set of muddy hoofprint on his new zealand!

Anyway I managed to get him in from the field, although it took us 10 mins to limp in. He is a wimp with pain (well he is a man LOL). The swellings are over the muscle area of the shoulder, thank god.

I spent 10 mins cold hosing it, treated the very small cut and put him to bed. He stood eating (good sign).

Anyway just wondered if anyone had any ideas or tips to help him. If is not better in morning a vet will be called to check him out but wondered if any one had had similar injuries to their horses.

Thanks

 

[Izzwizz]

Ring the vet tomorrow, will probably need some bute to help with reducing the swelling and kiling the pain. To be honest, if it was my horse I would have the vet out to check the horse out thoroughly.

 

[velocette]

Get the vet!

Kicks to the shoulder can be nasty, as nerves run past the shoulder area they have little protection and can be susceptible to injury from kicks, if the nerve is damaged the muscle that it supplies will not be able to work properly until the nerve regenerates. If he was kicked near his elbow it can fracture the end of the bone and will look like his leg is 'hanging' as the muscle cannot properly support the joint until the bone heals.

Hope it turns out to be simpler than this!!

Vel xx

 

[Topstripe]

Thanks guys for your advice. Vet was called last night anyhow and is coming this afternoon along with mobile X Ray unit to check for fractures etc.
He was not too bad this morning, alert and happy just lame. He is putting weight onto his leg quite well, its just the movement of bringing his leg forward that hurts him.

I will update again tonight to let you know how he has got on...fingers crossed its a muscle injury only x