Stiff horse - exercise or not?

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wench

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Quick background, horse was lame couple of weeks ago, due to loose shoe, and nail sticking slightly where it shouldnt. He is now sound again, but pooly leg moving a bit stiffly. I and someone else are of the opinion that walk down the road few days a week should help a little bit, other person has said leave him in field.

Opinions?
 
I would say leave him out to rest it as the extra weight of the rider probably wont help at this stage. If he doesn't come sound/loosen up shortly I would be back on the phone to the vets to discuss it further
 
Walk in hand on grass once a day? Sometimes limping is a 'learned' behaviour. When injured, the horse learns that when they put weight on the foot, it hurts. So they stop putting their full weight on it, even when the original problem is cured. Making him walk a little means he has to use the foot a bit and he will realise that it doesnt hurt anymore. Obviously, call your vet if he isn't improving.

Of course, don't go mad and don't ride him until he is completely sound
 
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vet already been out. not said anything

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The vet has been out & examined your horse & not said anything? Surely you should phone him & ask him what the problem is & what course of action he recommends rather than ask people on the forum who have never seen your horse?
crazy.gif
 
For stiffness I would recomend walking out in hand to get him to move and hopefully loosen up, as some one else said it could be remembered pain. A massaging rub with a rubber curry comb might also be appreciated (work down the muscle).

I would be concerned that your vet said nothing and unless you really trust him I would get a 2nd opinion or a qualified (& with good refererences!) phsiotherapist or the like out to have a look at him. I would be very surprised at a sore hoof causeing stiffness up the leg unless he limped for a long time.
 
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