Strong digital pulse -rest or exercise?

[BBP]

Horse has a bounding pulse noticeable in near fore. This hoof has a split and flare and is in dire need of a trim but pinning farrier down seems to be a nightmare (he won't do routine bookings for trims, just says he'll fit them in on his way past, may be time to look for a new one, shame as he's done a great job). Off fore I thought I'd felt a pulse a few days ago but couldn't pick it up yesterday. The horse is off the grass and on a soaked hay/unmolassed chaff/hay cobs diet with vitamin e and hind gut supplement and has been for 3 weeks. (I'll admit I hadn't checked pulses then so don't know normal, bad owner, but I took his little bit of strip grazing he was doing away as I felt he was just shortening his stride a tiny bit in front and was feeling stones more than his normal rock crunching self). He hasn't been in 'proper work' as he has other issues but has been walking out daily. Til I can get hold of vet/farrier, is it best to exercise or rest him? This is new for me as he's always been a rock cruncher.

 

[BBP]

Should add we have a suspicion the deterioration may be due to me messing with his feed and adding equifeast (high calcium) which I stopped a week ago. The timing fits with when I upped to full dose of it. I have no proof this is the cause, just a suspicion and his hoof quality is not as good now.

 

[touchstone]

With a bounding pulse I'd be resting him, exercise will create concussion and if the laminae are inflamed and weakened then you risk rotation or sinking.

 

[BBP]

Thank you, that is what I will do til I can get vet and farrier advice.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

If it's just the one hoof it could be an abcess.

My lami used to get a bounding pulse before he went lame with a abcess

 

[peaceandquiet1]

My OH is a farrier, and he would never leave a horse with a foot like yours, fits everyone in and time for you to get a new one I think. I would also rest until you know whats going on.

 

[Archangel]

My mare is doing exactly the same thing. Had the vet out and it is a difficult one pin down looks like a bit of seedy toe combined with a 'field trauma' aggravating a bit of arthritis with a possibility of an abscess- she is on bute for 5 days then investigate again. So in answer to your question I would rest and clean out the split and spray with purple spray until the farrier can get to you.

 

[ester]

Off the grass, rest and I would prob poultice.

Not bad owner for not knowing what they are normally like, normally they are very difficult to find at all.

 

[BBP]

Thank you for the advice. He's been out in a dirt paddock around the size of an arena for the last 3 weeks with soaked hay sprinkled all over it. He is very active out there, quite happy to march around hunting for his hay and not adverse to the odd leap around. I couldn't find the blimmin pulse this morning but it felt pretty strong last night. I'll follow your advice to rest but is paddock movement okay?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would bring into a good shavings bed until the vet can get there. It may well be just an abscess caused by a bit of grit getting into the split but best to be on the safe side, IMO. And I would get the vet out today. I would also change farrier, it doesn't matter how good he is at the job, if you can't get him there. Ours would come out to something like your problem as an emergency

 

[peaceandquiet1]

I would bring into a good shavings bed until the vet can get there. It may well be just an abscess caused by a bit of grit getting into the split but best to be on the safe side, IMO. And I would get the vet out today. I would also change farrier, it doesn't matter how good he is at the job, if you can't get him there. Ours would come out to something like your problem as an emergency

Agree.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Off the grass, rest and I would prob poultice.

Not bad owner for not knowing what they are normally like, normally they are very difficult to find at all.

Yes, I had been trying to teach myself to find a pulse. Very difficult when there's nothing wrong & pony generally has no digital pulse.

 

[BBP]

I called the vet as I didn't want to regret not doing so. They dont have any big concerns, typically the pulse wasn't that evident and he doesn't show obvious sensitivity, but do want him trimmed and then see how he is. They want him to keep moving gently so maintain restricted turnout rather than bring in. My sister has a barefoot trimmer coming tomorrow, I'm desperately hoping she has time to do mine too rather than waiting for my farrier but I haven't heard back yet. I'll keep you posted if there are any learning points from it.