Stiff legs someone tell me I'm being paranoid!

[delbino7]

After the months from hell with our mare seriously damaging her suspensory ligament we've bought another. Passed a vetting and bought him from around 3 hours from us. He's only 4 and not been travelled a lot. After a stressy hour (for him not us- as we were calming him down) he finally loaded onto the trailer. Removing one hind shoe (due to be shod) in the process. Then kindly half removed the other hind shoe in the trailer himself which flew off as he jumped off the ramp when we got home resulting in his hind feet being quite a mess. I washed him down when we got home (temperatures high= hot sweaty horse) and put him in his stable noticing he was quite "stiff" in his hind and was walking how I can only describe as "John Wayne-like"
Is this likely to just be because he's pulled 2 shoes, and travelled 3 hours and been a little stressy. However isn't lame just slightly "off" could this even be caused by his long-ish toes anyway? Any help welcomed!

My farriers coming tomorrow evening and chiropractor is coming towards the end of the week just incase as my tiny head can't cope with anymore paranoia.

 

[be positive]

Don't underestimate the stress of 4 hours hard work for a 4 year old, combined with pulling off the shoes and getting overheated, if he were mine I would give him a danilon plus some electrolytes and turn him out as much as possible and as soon as you can and let him wander around to loosen up, he may be stiff for a day or two but that is not surprising in the circumstances, a few days moving about 24/7 should really help.

I hope it is just a blip and he settles in quickly putting this traumatic day behind him.

 

[delbino7]

Thankyou that's really put my mind at ease. Unfortunately we are on a yard and They make sure all horses are wormed on arrival and may be turned out after 48 hours or alternatively need a worm count done but obviously can prolong the time they have to stay in for if it comes back high and still need wormed. He's in a large 16x16 stable with a very thick bed made from wood pellets! And plenty of room to move. He's got a salt lick and two large water buckets full and left him with three large nets as I'm a big beliver in always having access to forage. Where do you purchase electrolytes from please?
Many thanks for your reply!

 

[be positive]

I get electrolytes from my local feed store, it is a shame he cannot get out for 48 hours but if you can walk him out as much as possible for grass and gently lunge him or loose school him quietly it may help loosen him up, I worm on arrival but keep one paddock for new ones that I carefully poo pick to restrict any worms being passed on, it helps settle new arrivals more quickly but realise not everyone can do as they please with their horses when it is not their land.

 

[delbino7]

Farrier squeezing me in at 8:30 tomorrow night. Gravel paths and minus two shoes isn't ideal so will get him in the indoor school tomorrow to walk him off and then lunge him tomorrow night. Thanks very much for your help!