Wondering about hindleg lameness - advice??

[Fiona]

I don't think I've ever had a horse with hindleg lameness before except for back pain which was sorted by physio, so I'm a bit rusty on all the ins and outs of it.

My 15yo TB mare slipped out hacking about six months ago and went v lame on her near hind. Led her home, vet out within the hour, and he suggested problem was in back of fetlock /sesamoid region. He told us to rest her for a week and by then she was pretty much back to normal. So she never had follow up or more detailed diagnosis.

I thought the last couple of times I schooled her that her left canter wasn't very smooth but neither hubby or I could see anything on lunge and trot was fine.

Wdnesday however she suddenly went a bit pottery half way through a hack, and didn't feel right on the right fore /left hind diagonal. Hubby said from behind that her left hind was being put down outside the forefoot and hip not moving as much up and down as the other side. No swelling etc, though the 'top of sidebone' bumps on either side of her pastern seem more pronounced than the other leg.

I'm working next few days, so intending to monitor and book vet for detailed examination next week.

However does anyone have any tips or suggestions in the meantime. I'm a bit depressed that problem has recurred. Surely that's a bad sign, especially as I was only hacking and not doing jumping etc..

Fiona

 

[milliepops]

I saw your thread earlier in the week but didn't really know what to say. Problem is you don't know what she did in the first place This could be related or it might not be... I'm assuming there's nothing brewing in her foot? Common things are common,& all that.

Is there any heat? You can't really go wrong with cold hosing if so, or if there is any swelling - sounds like there is a little?
Is she comfortable pottering around in the field? I'd maybe look at putting her in a smallish pen while you are waiting for the vet if she is, just so she can't hoon around in the meantime.

These funny lamenesses can be hard to pinpoint without at least some diagnostics IME so don't overthink it until you have a chance to get the vet. If she's happy in herself for now then there's no need to panic just yet.

 

[Fiona]

She is prone to abcesses, but I'm not lucky enough milliepops for that to be the simple solution

Out 24/7 fortunately at present, so v chilled out and relaxed in the field (unlike in the winter) but I'll keep her restricted just in case.

Swinging the leg out is a sign of lameness I know, but would have blamed that on upper leg lameness rather than lower leg if it wasn't for previous lameness and the difference in appearance of the two hind pasterns??

I have the worst case scenario of high articular ringbone or similar in my head unfortunately

Fiona

 

[milliepops]

Swinging the leg out is a sign of lameness I know, but would have blamed that on upper leg lameness rather than lower leg if it wasn't for previous lameness and the difference in appearance of the two hind pasterns??

not necessarily, seen this kind of action with various injuries and conditions- probably anything where it is more comfortable to not have to fully flex the leg enough to allow it to swing under the body rather than to the side.

Hopefully it's something simple for her but really no point in letting your mind race away until you are in a position to show her to a vet x

 

[Fiona]

I know

Boo to work, and as I know it will be a longish process, there's no point in asking for a first thing emergency apt and going into work afterwards.

Its not an emergency, so will be next Thurs before I can book her in for investigations

Thanks

Fiona

 

[gunnergundog]

Swinging the leg out is a sign of lameness I know, but would have blamed that on upper leg lameness rather than lower leg if it wasn't for previous lameness and the difference in appearance of the two hind pasterns??

Circumduction of a limb can be due to 101 causes - some as simple as extreme medial-lateral imbalance, although that can sometimes not be primary but the secondary to something else. Panic not - yet!

 

[Fiona]

Thanks You never know, she could be sound again by the weekend, she's always been a law unto herself..

Only shod a fortnight ago, but I'll have a look at her feet..

Fiona