lauracwd2
Well-Known Member
Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts or seen this before?
Pony presented lame initially in Feb on near fore, lameness showed up ridden in trot first of all with no signs of heat swelling. Following day there was some swelling and heat in the fetlock mainly towards the inside. Vet attended and suggested possible sprain due to running around in very muddy field. Box rested for a week with bute then turned back out, after another week or so swelling and slight lameness re-appeared (still in same muddy field) so did another two week box rest until the point where summer fields were opened with no mud.
Appeared sound after the box rest period and started gentle hacking to bring back into work, fine for a few weeks then slight lameness reappeared with intermittent minor swelling and heat (not always at the same time). Further vet discussion and I requested to x-ray the fetlock to ensure there wasn't a bone chip. X-ray clear but during that exam a bruised sole was diagnosed which did display further over the following days. Vet also suggested his hoof balance on that foot was poor compared to the other and recommended he be shod (has been barefoot for 6 months).
After discussion with farrier, a barefoot trimmer and my aunt who is a vet I decided not to shoe him, treat for the bruise by booting for every step not on grass and look at strengthening the foot with some physio/straightness ground work. This was the beginning of April, bruise cleared and he has been back in full work including long fast hacks and lessons. He is booted all round for hacking.
This morning he has presented with same swollen fetlock and slight lameness
He also lost a chunk of hoof wall on that foot sometime last week but was still sound at that point so could be coincidence.
Not sure where to go next, I know vet will say shoes on first of all but I'm reluctant to make that our first option. His foot is slightly unbalanced but not hugely and overall he has good healthy feet. Should I be pushing for scans, another x-ray, nerve blocks? Just more rest?
Pony presented lame initially in Feb on near fore, lameness showed up ridden in trot first of all with no signs of heat swelling. Following day there was some swelling and heat in the fetlock mainly towards the inside. Vet attended and suggested possible sprain due to running around in very muddy field. Box rested for a week with bute then turned back out, after another week or so swelling and slight lameness re-appeared (still in same muddy field) so did another two week box rest until the point where summer fields were opened with no mud.
Appeared sound after the box rest period and started gentle hacking to bring back into work, fine for a few weeks then slight lameness reappeared with intermittent minor swelling and heat (not always at the same time). Further vet discussion and I requested to x-ray the fetlock to ensure there wasn't a bone chip. X-ray clear but during that exam a bruised sole was diagnosed which did display further over the following days. Vet also suggested his hoof balance on that foot was poor compared to the other and recommended he be shod (has been barefoot for 6 months).
After discussion with farrier, a barefoot trimmer and my aunt who is a vet I decided not to shoe him, treat for the bruise by booting for every step not on grass and look at strengthening the foot with some physio/straightness ground work. This was the beginning of April, bruise cleared and he has been back in full work including long fast hacks and lessons. He is booted all round for hacking.
This morning he has presented with same swollen fetlock and slight lameness
He also lost a chunk of hoof wall on that foot sometime last week but was still sound at that point so could be coincidence.Not sure where to go next, I know vet will say shoes on first of all but I'm reluctant to make that our first option. His foot is slightly unbalanced but not hugely and overall he has good healthy feet. Should I be pushing for scans, another x-ray, nerve blocks? Just more rest?
