Swelling of the leg

[Joules]

I was wondering if anyone can help and offer me some advice as im concerned about my horse.

Rightiess well, he has slight swelling in his front leg just below his knee which runs down about half way down the inside of his leg, there is slight heat in it but nothing that stands out. He is sound in walk and in trot but goes lame when he goes onto a circle in trot!!

Other then getting the vet out to scan it etc etc and loads of money later, can anyone offer any suggestions??

I have him on box rest and hosing his leg in the evening (cant get there in the morning as I have work) and I have been bandaging his front legs up!! My concern is that he is 21 and up until now has led a pretty much sound life and has been competeing BSJA with me and still winning dont want this to be the end of him, I wanted him to retire gracefully!!!

Any suggestions welcome!!

 

[Tempi]

does the swelling go down with exercise?

 

[hollyzippo]

It might just be a knock but think you are best to get the vet out, escpecially if hes only lame on a circle, could be a joint problem

 

[Joules]

Well unless he trots in a staight line he is lame in trot so kinda stopped exercising him - dont know if this is the right thing to do??

He is sound in walk but he aint the sort of horse you can lead on the end of a rope cause he is a bit temprementle and is liable to go running off - (ha ha not your average 21 year old I guess!!!) so stopped riding him as I dont wana do him more harm!! If that makes sense!!

 

[AmyMay]

Splint!

 

[Joules]

Yeah well he is on cortaflex for his joints but yeah, he is very flamboyant when he roles so he could of bashed himself!!

Splint? At his age? Could it be?? Dont really know much about splints but thought it was young horses that get em?!

 

[hollyzippo]

They can get a splint from knocking into them selves as easily as from concussion. If its lame, and 21, would get the vet just to be safe if I was you

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Splint? At his age? Could it be?? Dont really know much about splints but thought it was young horses that get em?!

[/ QUOTE ]
No, horses can get splints at any age - although it is true that they seem to be more prevalent in younger horses.

Personally I'd get the vet, if just to get a little Bute if nothing else. Rest is the key, not cold hosing. Unless of course it's not a splint.......

 

[Joules]

Yeah looks that way - well will give him the weekend and if nothing changes will call em out !!!

 

[vicijp]

Swelling goes up the leg in the majority of cases (except for knee injuries, but as knee is not swollen im guessing its not this). So towards the bottom of the swelling is where you should be focusing on. Is he lame on both reins of a circle, or just the same rein as the injury (if you get what I mean)?
Seeing as the swelling is only on one side of the leg it could be one of 3 things; check ligament, splint/bang or localised infection. Have you checked carefully for any nicks or cuts (although the type of lameness would not indicate this being the case)? If you rally dont have an indication of what type of injury it is then I would leave him in, you dont want to risk worsening something that could be serious - especially if hes a bit lively!
Personally I would keep on over the weekend trying to reduce the swelling, then get the vet out as you say.

 

[Joules]

No he is lame on the right rein and its his front right leg! Not lame on his Left rein!!

Yeah someone suggested Check Ligament - do you know much about this type of injury??

 

[vicijp]

I would definetly leave him in, lameness like that would indicate it needs investigating before deceiding upon course of action.
Check ligaments are funny things. They are very rarely proper lame, sometimes not at all. People tend to rush them back - they are generally viewed as 3 month jobs. My opinion is that if you rush them back they will not work evenly afterwards, and it will flare up or something will go on the other leg. I would always treat them the same as a tendon injury - either 6 or 12 months in the field.
Giving to his age, it may be a case of semi retirement.

 

[Joules]

mmmm I hope not - cause he really loves his jumping!!

Just have to wait and see I guess!