Stiff horse dog lame in morning not lame in afternoon!

Carrots&Mints

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Hi all, advice needed.

My horse (18 year old CB x) has been in at night since Wednesday... Anyhow reports from people who work on the yard have finally decided to tell me that he's hopping lame every morning when he comes out of his stable. (his front right leg)...

Yet I rode him on Thursday my instructor said he was a little bit stiff but wasn't that bad so not to worry as could possible be because he hasn't been ridden in 2 weeks.

Anyhow trotted him up today and hes slightly lame on right front.

Usually in winter I give him oil this year I havnt had chance to buy any yet but in going tomorrow the feed place.

Anyhow, was wondering of any supplements could help or anything really? Just need some advice!

Thanks!!
 
My first thought would be arthritis. A bit of general stiffness first thing at that age that soon wears off once out of the stable I'd be content to try a supplement. But if its long lasting or causing lameness I'd want a vet to confirm it & then review the options.
 
Thankyou :) im going up in the morning to see what hes like when being turned out. Thing is though he's never ever ever been lame untill he's been brought in on Wednesday but even then I didn't see any lameness till today? Do you think I should monitor it and keep trotting him up every day to keep an eye on him?

I've been reading about superflex and that equine america? Any good?

Thanks
 
I started my TB on premier flex plus...he can get abit stiff in his movements in the wet and cold, he isnt arthritic but thought it might help loosen him up. I read the online reviews which sounded a little to good to be true but thought it would be worth a try. The results after just 8 days have been amazing...even my mother who is in no way horsey commented on how nice he was walking! and she didnt know we were giving him anything. Probably dosent work for every horse but might be worth a try..I got mine from Equine Answers.
 
my shire used to have the same problem with previous owner.. he did have an old injury on the same leg and arthritis set in and he was written off as permanently lame.... but since living out with me for last 7mnth he hasnt been lame at all and is even back in light work no suppliments needed just 24/7 turnout! :D
do you have the option for 24 hour turnout?
 
when mine had an abscess, he was really lame one evening, next morning was fine then lame again the next day! when vet came out she found the abscess straight away! see how he is in the morning!
 
If the lameness is that bad you might consider getting the vet to assess whether getting the joint injected would be appropriate. It's not cheap, I'll grant you, but the results can be remarkable. You don't realise what you've gradually been losing until you suddenly get it back!
 
Hi all, thought I should update you :)

Went up this morning to see what he was like to put put into the field. Anyhow opened the door to let him out just walked out all perfectly, so I thought... Hmmm that's weird... Oh well.

Been and bought some devils claw and some glucosamine (been researching and saw that this was good for joints etc so thought it will do him good in the long run)

Went back up later on this afternoon and went on a short half hour hack out with the rest of the gang, was going allot better than Thursday night (was quite stiff on Thursday) .

Friend even said he looked very well.

Fed him his new supplements, massaged his legs with his massage oil (he's a pampered prince)

See what YO says he's like tomorrow morning... Was wondering if it could have been a bruised sole?

Farriers coming on Thursday to just check everything :)

Thanks guys!!
 
Vet check would be a good idea, if it is arthritis they may be able to prescribe something to help like bute on a low dosage. A lot of horses are helped with this during the colder months and when they are stabled more. Another thing you could try are some stable wraps like the Thermatex ones. They would keep your horse's legs warm and prevent them stiffening up.
 
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