Update on loan horse pastern injury

[NR99]

Sorry also in Vet but more people post here, so thought I would ask you kind people.

In brief for those who do not know we have had loan horse since end of May (eventer), three weeks ago he came in from the field in the am and by the pm he had a swollen pastern. Called the vet four times that week as was worried, initially lame but through the week this gradually got better, however swelling (hard and cold) remains predominantly on outside of pastern. Owner has been happy to leave til this point but as I was so worried did agree to Xrays last night, XRays show nothing obvious, next step would be to nerve block from next level down (fetlock) as already had a nerve block at lowest level in first week which showed nothing. He was absolutely sound in trot up last night on a straight line but not sound at all on a circle on hard ground?

Owner does not feel that we need to move to the next level of investigation yet as horse is happy in himself, vet has said that he can go out on a tiny paddock after one more week of box rest and then see what happens if gets worse then bring in, other than that she can not offer anymore help until we do further investigation.

My dilemna, I am worried about putting him out in even a tiny paddock in case it undoes any repair that has been taking place over the past 3 weeks. Has anyone else evey experienced an injury like this, what did you do?

Choc biccies for getting this far!

 

[canteron]

My horse had something a bit similar and like you didn't quite know which way to go.

At one point I did put horse in a tiny paddocks but to be honest it jumped out a couple of times and I found he was more settled - and potentially did less injury to himself - if I kept him on box rest.

Ultimately, I decided to go for an MRI scan as I wanted a definitive answer - which I got. The horse has been the happiest field ornament for the past 5 years due to the deep fetlock tendon injury they found.

So my advice, do as much reseach as you can, take all the advice you can and then follow your gut instinct as ultimately you have to deal with any consequences.

(PS my story ended up badly (for me, horse has great life!) but have heard many similar with happier endings!)

 

[seabiscuit]

The racehorses I work with are constantly coming up with injuries like this, what we do with them is give them bute and put them in the spa every day. Have you got a hydrotherapy centre anywhere near you?
They will then be sedated before turning out in their pens and always just settle down to eat.
I hope it works out and that he comes sound!