Sob, tendon sheath filling again

poiuytrewq

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My poor darling horse. 17 but had a tough life- hunt hireling then dressage supreme. Absolutely brutal rider schooled the life out of him.
I had him 5/6 years ago as he was being pts (I was his groom) due to ongoing arthritis/lameness issues which I thought with a bit of tlc and thought he could be ok with. I was pretty much right.
He's hacked lightly til recently when he suddenly got massive wind gall type swellings making him severely lame.
The vet drained and injected both hind tendon sheaths and said hopefully that would work but the issue may just come back.
At this point I chose to retire him. He kind of told me it was time.
I plan to keep and spoil him as long as he's happy in the field with his friends (which he is)
However this morning I notice one of the tendon sheaths looking very swollen and hard again :(. He was cantering round last night, looking wonderful and I was so happy now I'm gutted.
Any ideas? Do I speak to the vet now before/Incase it worsens again or wait it out a bit and hope he stays sound?
I've also had his hind shoes removed- would this have caused the problem to flare up? I'd planned to take all his shoes off once the ground softened but left fronts on whilst it's hard.
Seriously gutted :'(
 
If he's sound, I'd try not to worry - maybe try some cold hosing? Obviously if he gets sore you need the vets advice but some horses seem to enjoy frightening us with fat legs. If he isn't lame, personally I'd cold hose and keep an eye on it for a day or two, then get advice if nothing has changed.
 
If he's sound, I'd try not to worry - maybe try some cold hosing? Obviously if he gets sore you need the vets advice but some horses seem to enjoy frightening us with fat legs. If he isn't lame, personally I'd cold hose and keep an eye on it for a day or two, then get advice if nothing has changed.
Lol - this is my horse - I've got used to it now. Mine's cellulitis in both back legs though, not the tendon sheath. Vet kinda shrugs her shoulders when I try and discuss it and says it's his age. Couple days of bute and they go down. Is he actually lame? If not I'd just keep an eye on it - and have a chat with the vet over the phone see what they say, they're usually good for phone advice esp with older horses. And agree cold hose; maybe bute too?
 
No he's not lame. Last month he was ridiculously lame with the pressure. Literally as the vet went to drain them the fluid spurted half way across the yard it was that built up. He did warn me it may not work and could return.
I'll try the hosing, although that would mean a half mile each way trek on the road to the house- would that be advised? There is just a stream in the summer field, no tap.maybe the bonner bandages (was actually looking at them today funnily). Can I use these in the field? I've no experience of them.
I'd not put him through a long box rest, he's retired to enjoy life and hates being stabled.
I just can't bear to loose this one.
 
Another thought - what about using clay - something like Kevin bacon's Manicouagan sea clay - if you need to keep him out. No compression though obviously, but it is cooling and helps reduce swelling, and you could wash off in the stream. No worrying about bandages then.
 
Thankyou all. The roads very quiet but he seems to dislike the uphill gravel track to get to it!
I may try though, I wasn't sure if walking with possible tendon injuries would be advised.
I can't get him to the stream as its a steep step down. And the ground soft in it. I can clay and wash off with buckets though.
Literally will try anything for this old idiot
 
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