When to call the vet- lameness.

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piaffe

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When should you call the vet out for lameness? In the past, I tend to call the vet out as soon as I notice any lameness because I am a worrier.

New mare is lame. Slight heat and swollen area just below knee on left leg. Sound on the straight and on the lunge on the left rein but ever so slightly lame on the right rein. Its only a few steps here and there.

Im guessing she knocked it at the show on sunday.
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Now, Im tempted to call the vet to come out today or tomorrow but others have said all different things from a weeks box rest/ 2 weeks/ cold hosing etc etc. She is in, have cold hosed and applied cooling gel. But am now unsure if I should call the vet or wait?

What would you do?
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As you really don't know much about her, and she's such a recent purchase I would call the vet immediately.

It's what I did with Thumper when he went lame shortly after I'd bought him. Turned out to be nothing. But you just can't be too careful.
 
We tend to do box rest for a few days then if no improvement get the vet.

But this is with no heat/swelling just lame. I think due to your mare having heat and swelling I'd get itlooked at sooner rather than later.
 
how new is your mare? less than a month or 2 and I would call the vet, just incase it's something preexisting.

If my horse presented the syptoms you prescrible I would assume, as you have, that he has knocked himself and cold hose every day (twice a day if I could). Maybe an arnica tablet in his dinner until the inflammation dies down. once there is no heat or swelling and he is sound I would give him another day or 2 off, just to make sure and then carry on as normal.

If she gets worse or is no better after 5 days, I would call the vet. I wouldn't box rest for the degree of lameness that you describe.

If it is a splint forming, then the treatment would be the same, i.e rest & cold hosing.

Hope she is better soon.

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Thanks everyone for your advice. I have phoned the vet and he is coming out tomorrow. Will update you on what he says
 
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