Urgent Help Needed - Lump between forelegs?

socks

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Lita has a large lump about the size of the 'o' you can make with your first finger and thumb on the inner side of her leg. It is slightly warmer than the rest of her leg, and does not seem to bother her. It will move when you press it but on the inside is a solid lump. She is not lame either. I have never seen anything like this, but it's really worrying.

Pictures:

litaleg1.jpg


litaleg2.jpg


litaleg3.jpg



Other leg:

litaotherleg.jpg



Does anyone know what this is and what we should do about it? Really freaked out!
 
It looks like either a haematoma or a fly bite. I have had whopping lumps cause by bites and Lita's is also in a prime site for blood blisters due to a kick. Is she out with anyone else? If she's not lame and it isn't angry or sore, keep an eye on it and get the vet's opinion if it changes or there is no improvement in a day or so.
 
She is out with quite a few other horses, and some of them have been known to kick. Am I worrying about nothing? Hope it is just a bad reaction to a fly bite.
 
No, you aren't worrying about nothing. You are exhibiting healthy, normal concern for a loved horse with a abnormal lump.
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Haematomas will pit - a thumb-press into it will take a while to puff out again, and can be any shape. Basically they are ruptured veins which bleed under the skin. They subside by themselves and exercise is usually helpful in achieving this.

Fly bites are usually regular in shape and non-pitting, often with a tell-tale pinprick of blood in the centre.
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Should she be okay to be turned out and exercise? I don't want to irritate it or hurt the area.. Thanks for help!
 
As someone has mentioned previously it looks like either a Haematoma or a reaction to fly/midge bites.

One of mine had a huge Haematoma a couple of years ago that I had drained as it was huge! How long has it been there? and is it getting any bigger?- If it doesn't go down maybe you could call your vet and get them to look at it to put your mind at rest.
 

My mare had a lump identical to this - same position, size etc.
She had jumped out of the field, the gate was set higher than the road, so she had a fair drop down onto tarmac. This lump appeared the next day. I assumed it was a haematoma and just monitored it - it was gone after a few days.

I would say your mare will benefit from being turned out.
 
I would add that Haematomas don't always go down on their own which is why my horse had to have it drained!- one of my horses who is 7 and from Ireland must have had a Haematoma that was not drained before he come over when he was 3 and it is now a permanent hard lump!- I would really recommend a vets advice if it doesnt go down after a few days- just a friendly warning!
 
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