What is this? Should I be worried?

[HeyMich]

We have recently taken on a wee rescue cob for my son to ride. She's 15y/o, 14.2, has had bouts of lami in the past apparently (according to the rescue charity, but severity unknown), but is now slim and a healthy condition (can feel her ribs easily, no crest, no gutter etc). She's ridden (mixture of hacking and schooling/jumping) about 4 times a week and is in good general health. She's out with 2 other mares (horses) on about 1.5 acres of well grazed, poor quality grazing. No hard feed, occasional hay in the field. Out 24/7.

On Monday I noticed some lumps/pads on and under her pectoral muscles (nothing there on Sunday when we all had lessons and I bathed her afterwards). They weren't sore to touch, but felt kinda hard, not spongy. I thought I'd just keep an eye on them. They are still there today, no real change. She's not lame at all, fine on her feet, no digital pulses etc. Are they fat pads? Something else? Should I be worried? If they are fat pads, I've never seen them in that location before! I have the vet coming Friday morning to do teeth/vaccs for the others, so can easily ask them to take a look. Can it wait until then or do I need to take her off the grass immediately? I could either put her in a starvation paddock with the kids' other pony or I could stable her. What do you think? Am I worrying over nothing?

Thanks all.

.

 

[Frumpoon]

It's a haematoma, maybe she's been kicked or had an i,pact injury

I personally wouldn't worry unless it still there in a week or so

 

[cobgoblin]

If it feels firm I would say a haematoma or abscess.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

It looks very like a hematoma. Possibly a kick to the chest? I wonder if gently hot clothing (if she’s happy for you to do it) might help the swelling go down a bit.

 

[HeyMich]

Thanks everyone! This forum is truly wonderful - you have put my mind at rest! I'll keep an eye on it and speak with the vet when they come over tomorrow.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

The last time mine had something like that it was a reaction to combined flu and tetanus jab. Bruising or maybe a reaction to a sting?

 

[AnShanDan]

If it was just one lump I'd say a kick or something but if there are multiple lumps it looks like bites to me, I've one horse who gets massive lumps under his belly like this, the fluid collects really easily there. They don't bother him particularly but I do give him piriton if they are very large/numerous. They go away in a day or two anyway.

 

[Quigleyandme]

My old Dales developed a similar swelling in that area and I was convinced he was in heart failure and called the vet. It was a haematoma.

 

[Carrottom]

It looks like it could be a reaction to bites or a sting. The fluid drains down to the lowest available area. My gelding had similar a couple of years ago when I think he disturbed a nest of nasties by pawing the ground before rolling.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Can't tell you how many times I've had a horse with a surprise boob.

It's been from vaccinations, a kick, insects, or unknown. They've all cleared up on their own in less than a week I'd say. I continue to exercise the horse lightly if there are no signs of discomfort.

 

[Myloubylou]

My friends horse had something similar. It eventually split/ruptured, looked horrible but then healed up within days so you wouldn’t have known it was there. First time is happened she was panicky. Then when happened again she knew to keep it clean & let it heal

eta hopefully yours will absorb back in body