Suddenly lame, no heat or swelling?

[Bobthecob15]

Hi all, we've had our pony 4 weeks and tonight was lame in one of his hind legs. Kept holding it up and not keen to put a lot of weight though it, he can walk on it but is not sound. No heat or swelling that I can see or feel and no obvious wound (it was dark to be fair but had the torch on it)... however last Wednesday he had his 4 shoes removed as we don't particularly do much road work and the farrier felt his feet were good enough to try barefoot. His been absolutely sound in the arena since and walks on the road to his field fine. Tonight he was obviously more sore footed walking round the yard. The sole of his foot looks OK and it's not hot or tender when I poked it a bit...im probably going to call the vet as I have no idea what I'm dealing with but could it be the shoe removal? He's had them for at least the last 5yrs, possibly longer. He's 15. Should I ask the farrier to come and look? I'll put the shoes back on if he needs them, so confused!

 

[pistolpete]

Loads of things it could be. Vet is never a bad idea if you’re unsure. With experience you may be able to make a guess but as he is so new to you I’d be inclined to get the vet.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Try not to worry too much it is probably something easily fixedlike an abscess in the hoof. A vet is a good call, as you don't know the pony well.I would probably ring the farrier as well for his take on the possibilities

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I think it’s a good idea to get the farrier out ASAP

 

[bonny]

Sounds like a job for your farrier, he is the expert on feet.

 

[meleeka]

It’s most likely an abscess but agree, your farrier is the best place to start. I have one with an abscess currently. Although I was certain it was just that, my farrier was called and came and found it. It’s lessened the time it’s taken to be more comfortable quite substantially. I’d hesitate about phoning the vet, only because last time I did, the hole they made was huge and it took ages to heal. My farrier is much more careful to just do enough.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Agree that it sounds like it could be an abcess.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks, the farrier didn't think it sounded like the shoes off issue as it would probably be more global if that was the case but he did offer to come out, I'll have another look this morning and see if there is any heat today, I'll probably get him out anyway then the vet if no joy.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Update...he's still lame on it but better than last night and is putting weight through it normally now. Definitely no external injury, no heat, no swelling. Have kept him in today and spoken to the farrier who thinks it isn't his foot, absolutely no tenderness on the foot or sole. A few yard people looked at him and think he's pulled something out in the field potentially higher up... Haven't called the vet yet as he seems not too bad so will see how he is tonight and tomorrow. Fingers crossed he continues to improve x

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would get either a farrier or vet to hoof test because if it isn't in the foot I personally wouldn't want to leave a horse that initially was non weight bearing, in my experience that kind of lameness doesn't just miraculously disappear overnight.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Sorry I don't think I explained it very well, he was weight bearing on it but was intermittently lifting it up last night in his stable. And at times was preferring to put more weight on the other back leg when i was checking him. He was walking and standing on it last night and hasn't been lifting it up at all today. I'll have another look tonight and call the vet tomorrow if he's still not right, someone suggested possible mud fever but there are no signs of that either

 

[Birker2020]

Hi all, we've had our pony 4 weeks and tonight was lame in one of his hind legs. Kept holding it up and not keen to put a lot of weight though it, he can walk on it but is not sound. No heat or swelling that I can see or feel and no obvious wound (it was dark to be fair but had the torch on it)... however last Wednesday he had his 4 shoes removed as we don't particularly do much road work and the farrier felt his feet were good enough to try barefoot. His been absolutely sound in the arena since and walks on the road to his field fine. Tonight he was obviously more sore footed walking round the yard. The sole of his foot looks OK and it's not hot or tender when I poked it a bit...im probably going to call the vet as I have no idea what I'm dealing with but could it be the shoe removal? He's had them for at least the last 5yrs, possibly longer. He's 15. Should I ask the farrier to come and look? I'll put the shoes back on if he needs them, so confused!

He may have got a stone bruise but it could also be an abscess which will need draining. Is there a farrier coming out that can maybe take a look for you and put some pincers on for you to test any sore spot?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Yes a few people suggested that, he is I think so will ask him to check when he's here. Thanks

 

[Gloi]

Abcesses are really common when shoes are first removed in wet weather and dirt and water gets in the nail holes. Hopefully that is what it is and it will soon recover.

 

[PurBee]

Mine have been heat-free and slightly lame at the beginning of abscess brewing. IF it is an abscess, it’ll usually start increasing with heat within 48hrs.
Equally, if paddock is slippy, he could have pulled something and was slightly sore, usually non-serious strains are evident for a few days before fully healing so unusual to disappear overnight.

Mine have sometimes come in, i think they look off on one leg, and by morning theyre fine, and i have no idea what occurred!

Horses keep us guessing ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Mine have been heat-free and slightly lame at the beginning of abscess brewing. IF it is an abscess, it’ll usually start increasing with heat within 48hrs.
Equally, if paddock is slippy, he could have pulled something and was slightly sore, usually non-serious strains are evident for a few days before fully healing so unusual to disappear overnight.

Mine have sometimes come in, i think they look off on one leg, and by morning theyre fine, and i have no idea what occurred!

Horses keep us guessing ?

Haha they do! Good to know re heat, will definitely keep an eye on that and get the farrier to check when hes out. Thanks

 

[irishdraft]

If the shoes have recently been pulled it's probably an abscess brewing. This happened to my horse he ended up with one in front & behind although the ground was very wet then .

 

[gregory123]

This was how mine presented with a hind annular ligament tear. Took quite a while to come to diagnose until ligaments scanned. I also assumed hoof but nothing with hoof testers