LouiseG
Well-Known Member
2 weeks ago my horse went lame, right hind, very obvious on small circles ridden, and canter transitions on the right rein (throwing head around a lot into canter - fine when in canter), VERY minor heat in the right SI region. Box rested for 3 days, got the vet out and he was much improved, not visibly lame like he was a few days before, he just looked uncomfortable/stiff, she suggested a week’s field rest and get back on and see.
So that would have been Wednesday, I got the physio out to check him over, he has absolutely nothing wrong with him on physical examination, no heat, swellings, no tightness in muscles, but he looked stiff as a board on the lunge on the right rein, really wasn’t wanting to use his right hind properly so he was permanently bending to the left on the right rein on the lunge and falling in (which is actually pretty normal for him to do this on a lesser scale – his right hind is his weaker one naturally so he avoids using this if he can).
He was reluctant to use his right leg again when backing up for the physio, however the more we did this, the more he improved. We did some in hand poles which he managed well and was happy to pick up his right hind with the encouragement of the poles, after 15 minutes he had a very tired right hind leg. Did some more last night and backing up was much better again. Physio advised a week of short in hand poles sessions in walk, then get on and do a week of ridden poles in walk only, and then re-assess him on the lunge. I feel that he will be guarding that leg in the field and won’t be using it if he doesn’t have to.
So I’m looking for opinions!! Should I be concerned and get the vet back? Or should I try this approach and encourage him to use his leg gently and see how that goes? Everyone seems fairly convinced that it’s a weakness as opposed to the a lameness, but I’m sick with worry. It is his weaker leg and I had noticed the week before he went lame his right canter transitions weren't as sharp, but is this indicative of an underlying problem or a weak leg that now needs a lot of rehabilitation type work to build him back up?
Thank you in advance!! xx
So that would have been Wednesday, I got the physio out to check him over, he has absolutely nothing wrong with him on physical examination, no heat, swellings, no tightness in muscles, but he looked stiff as a board on the lunge on the right rein, really wasn’t wanting to use his right hind properly so he was permanently bending to the left on the right rein on the lunge and falling in (which is actually pretty normal for him to do this on a lesser scale – his right hind is his weaker one naturally so he avoids using this if he can).
He was reluctant to use his right leg again when backing up for the physio, however the more we did this, the more he improved. We did some in hand poles which he managed well and was happy to pick up his right hind with the encouragement of the poles, after 15 minutes he had a very tired right hind leg. Did some more last night and backing up was much better again. Physio advised a week of short in hand poles sessions in walk, then get on and do a week of ridden poles in walk only, and then re-assess him on the lunge. I feel that he will be guarding that leg in the field and won’t be using it if he doesn’t have to.
So I’m looking for opinions!! Should I be concerned and get the vet back? Or should I try this approach and encourage him to use his leg gently and see how that goes? Everyone seems fairly convinced that it’s a weakness as opposed to the a lameness, but I’m sick with worry. It is his weaker leg and I had noticed the week before he went lame his right canter transitions weren't as sharp, but is this indicative of an underlying problem or a weak leg that now needs a lot of rehabilitation type work to build him back up?
Thank you in advance!! xx
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