strange lameness

MandyMoo

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(warning very long...)

on friday my horse had a loose shoe on his off hind and he seemed a little foot sore on his off hind...so he stayed in thursday night as usual and had his shoe replaced on saturday morning when the farrier came.

on saturday afternoon i arrived at the yard and went to groom etc and noticed his NEAR hind (whereas before it was his off hind) was slightly swollen above the hock joint going up towards his stifle...although there was no heat and he wasnt bothered or seeming in pain. i walked him out in hand while the yard owner (very knowledgeable man lol) watched him and he seemed very stiff on his near hind, but perfectly normal on his off hind (the one that had the shoe replaced)...and he also seemed to jog about a bit and be happy in himself so not in any major pain. [when he trotted out he seemed to curve his near hind round in a semi circle before placing it down and also isnt bending his leg much...stiff and keeping it quite straight]

we took him for a long walk in hand down the lane to see if he walked off the stiffness...but no luck :/ we didnt know what to do really so just turned him out for the night to help him potter about and loosen up (hopefully get the stiffness and swelling down).

this morning i fetched him in and he was still very stiff...and the swelling had spread to just below his hock joint and also still remained about the hock joint...and there was some heat on the front of his near hind, so we took him for a walk again to loosen up...no luck again
frown.gif
and then gave him a Danilon anti inflammatory in a feed and put some cooling gel on the heat area.

he is still happy in himself, eating etc and isnt bothered about you lifting his leg up or anything...he just doesnt seem to want to bend it or anything. hadnt noticed any new kickcs/injuries except one cut on his hock (which worries me) but it is from wednesday...and he only came lame on friday :/ so its a bit strange.

we are getting the vet out tomorrow to have a look...but just wondered what you guys think?! its a mystery and i really hope it isnt anything major :/ xxx (well done if you have got this far and thanks in advance)
 
Swelling and heat are signs of inflammation. Maybe the cut is getting infected and causing this. Most likely to be to do with the cut, maybe he got kicked, knocked himself or something and theres bruising around it too.
I wouldnt put cooling gel any where near a cut. Cold hosing is safer and probably better. Definately get the vet out 2moro though.
Hope horse is better soon!
 
im not sure but it might be that when he had his shoe loose on his other shoe as it was causing him pain he might of been putting his wait on his leg that is now inflammed? and then maybe as he was in at night and not moving about he was resting his bruised leg therefore putting the weight on the other leg and not being able to move about this might of caused the stiffness and swelling because he wasnt able to move around. hope you find out what is wrong and he gets better soon!!!
 
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