Slight lameness

[LaurenM]

My horse has slight lameness to his hind leg and doesn't put as much weight on it as the other. It's tender to touch but doesn't feel hot or look swollen. I've had him for almost 9 weeks and he had his lameness with previous owner so it's a relatively long standing injury. When I got him vetted the hind leg was scored 1/2 tenths lame.

The three owners previous to that apparently just turned him away as they wanted to 'focus on their youngsters'.

He's happy to run around in the field, roll and to be worked so it doesn't appear to be hindering him much. He was only having light work i.e. one hour hack a week if that and is turned out every morning from around 8.30 - 5.

I have since stopped working him as I only had it confirmed on sunday that he was still lame.

I just want advice of what it may be and/or how to treat it. Someone on the yard suggested possible arthritis as he's 15 years old whilst another advised that it will heal in time.

Has anyone had previous experience similar to this?
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[misst]

I would imagine it is unlikely to get better with time if he had been lame before and turned away because of it.

Have you asked the vet who did the pre purchase vetting what he thinks it is? What made you proceed with the purchase - did you know the horse already and like him regardless? What did you plan to use him for?

I think you need to get your own vet out and have it investigated if you have no real history about this. He may be fine to be worked or he may just be a nice horse who is working despite discomfort. Some horses put up with a lot of pain with very little sign they are suffering. If it is arthritis some anti inflamatory medication or similar may help him but you need a proper diagnosis first.

 

[LaurenM]

I went ahead with the sale as I knew he was really genuine and at 1-2 tenths lame I thought that it could be something that could go with appropriate care.

Farrier held both hinds legs (similar to flexion test) and said that he was the same on both legs and not lame in his opinion.

He trots up fine and was quite happy trying to rear to avoid farrier trimming his fronts. I know that he wasn't rearing out of pain as he spent 4 hours rearing when i went to collect him.

Will have vet up for tetanus so will check again then.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Sam22]

It is not your farriers job to asses and diagnose lameness and I suggest you don't ride him until he has been seen by a vet, he is clearly in pain and it is not fair. Neither is it the job of the vet doing the vetting to speculate on diagnosis - there job is to assess suitability for purchase. Why on earth have you brought a lame horse and why did you have it vetted when you clearly ignored the vets findings? Very bizzare!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

think you might well have bought a knacker? sorry! but i am sure with your appropriate care he will make a nice field ornament! and as you know he wasnt rearing out of pain i am sure you will find a solution to fit your bill????????????????????????????????? sorry but what do you want to hear on this forum?

 

[misst]

I hope this is a wind up Buying a lame horse who is "genuine" and then not investigating the lameness with or without a farriers opinion is at best foohardy. Buying a horse that "reared for four hours" is even more foolhardy. I do not know how old you are or experienced you are but your poor horse sounds like he has been pushed from pillar to post prior to your purchase and he is now your responsibility.

Please get a vet out on Monday not to do his vacs but to investigate his lameness and rearing. He sounds in discomfort if not quite severe pain. Please do not ride him for his sake as well as your own safety until he has been seen.