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Discussion on Slightly Enlarged Elbow and Lameness
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 5:46 pm:
My Morgan/Friesian/Qtr mix gelding came up lame last week after his first time wearing a saddle, or maybe I should say trying to get rid of the saddle. A friend (my Equine Dentist's assistant) watched him move today and said the problem is his elbow. Now after he pointed it out, I can see that his right elbow has some swelling, and he's sensitive to touch there.
This horse was lame last summer, I thought the same type of lameness, after being kicked by another horse. I kept him stalled and gave him Inflammasaver for about 4 weeks, and he was fine.
What are some possible things that can be wrong with elbow lameness?
This guy said something about some fluid, like us having a blood blister. Used some big word, don't know what it was.
What the heck is Franklins Sweat? He suggested using that on his elbow to produce heat. I guess it's something like Absorbine linement, which he said would work also. He said to cover it with plastic then a blanket.
My horse had to be out today so we could do teeth and he was running around and kicking up his heels while limping. This guy said stall rest would probably do more harm than good; just keep him by himself in a small outside area.
I really love this goofy horse, he's such a character, but I was actually getting him ready to sell. (economics) I hope this isn't a long term chronic thing.
Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
Not much for vets here, so hoping for feedback.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 7:29 pm:
Gosh, Angie, sorry your horse is lame & hope it doesn't last. Dr. O. might laugh, but I've had good luck with arnica oil rubbed on several times a day. (wash site off first) and limited movement (easier said then done on a young active horse, I know.
Amazing what they'll do to themselves! I'm curious as to his cross; sounds like quite a mix. What is he like looks and size wise?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 28, 2005 - 8:13 am:
There are many possibilities Angie and listing them is not particularly helpful. Certainly trauma is a common cause of lameness, but what might be hurt could be muscle, tendon, ligament, joint or bursas.
Better is how do you diagnose lameness in this area. The usual tools are all used: radiographs, ultrasound, and diagnostic regional anesthesia. With all respects to Sara and her arnica oil, the best therapy at this time would be stall or small paddock rest and phenylbutazone until a diagnosis is made.
DrO
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 28, 2005 - 8:19 am:
Hi Sara,
I have been limiting his movement as much as possible by keeping him stalled except for yesterday. Unfortunately my very overworked husband still hasn't finished my stalls and I only have one large double stall (and still have 5 horses) so he is stalled with my Arab mare who is recovering from a leg wound. (with the luck I am having with horses this year I am considering raising chickens or some other smaller cheaper critter, LOL)
He is a big red gelding with a flaxen mane and tail. Outa a black Qtr horse mare and a Moresian Stallion. So he's registered as a Friesian Sport Horse with 25% Friesian. Almost 16 hands and a few weeks short of 3 yrs old. I would say he has the Friesian look in his neck and head. Very high head carriage. Large furry feet!! My farrier says he moves like a Morgan, very high stepping (though Friesians do that too) My vet thinks he has a Qtr horse body, I am not too sure about that. He's been goofy looking at times but I think he's coming together now. His downfall is he doesn't have the straightest legs but he should be o.k. for trail riding.
He is very curious and friendly, had the head up looking at me the first time I saw him so of course I bought him, not any other horse that probably stood straighter, was a little bit calmer etc. He is always playing in the water or pestering something. I laugh just watching him walk, he'll see something on the ground and take this huge step and almost hit his chin with his knee.
Since I started seriously working with him I've really gotten more attached to him cuz he does try hard and although his attention span is very limited I have been pleased with his progress.
Regarding his lameness I think I will rub Thermaflex on his elbow and shoulder area. I am still thinking maybe it's in his shoulder too even though the elbow makes sense based on this guys observations yesterday. He said the way he was moving indicated the pain was higher up. This guy used to work around race horses and seemed to know alot about lameness. Wish DrO could stop in for a vist, I just don't have vets around here who seem to know much about lameness. They charge me the farm call, tell me the horse is lame, and leave me with some Bute. Or I can go the other extreme and go to the one who will do everything including wanting to do a few chiropractor adjustments and still have a lame horse. So I do what I can and see what time does to solve the problem.
Off to play vet now.
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 28, 2005 - 8:34 am:
DrO,
I see we were posting at the same time. I will keep him resting and continue to give him Inflammasaver which I have had good results with in the past. All the possibilities you listed above will resolve with time IMO. I think I just need to be patient. As long as he slowly gets better I'll skip the diagnostic tools but if he worsens now I have an idea what order to go about checking into this farther.
Almost wish he would show some heat, swelling or other more obvious sign of what's wrong and where. I am not 100% sure about the swelling at the elbow. Guess he doesn't want to be sold anymore than I really want to sell him, huh?!
Thanks for your help as always.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Friday, Apr 29, 2005 - 11:07 am:
Chickens get caught by other animals, get sick, etc. and are a lot of work. Personally, I have considered earth worms! There the only thing I can think of that might be easy to raise....and they aren't very cuddly and are a bit awkward to ride!
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 9:10 pm:
Earth worms!! O.K., no legs to go lame, no teeth trouble (I am also doctoring our 3 yr old filly for a big sore near one of her back teeth) No shots to give, and I bet worms don't get worms, right??
Now, why is it I love horses?? Here it is May 1st, and it's snowing, in the 30's, so I got half froze twice today doing the vet routine, feed routine, shovel the crap routine......sigh.
O well, my mare with the hurt leg is doing better anyhow. Now if gimpy gets better........maybe I'll even ride this season.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 12:14 am:
If earth worms get worms, who would know!
Hang in there. "This too shall pass." I know I can deal with one sick or injured horse easily,but when there's more than one it get's tough. A few summers ago when I had 8 horses sick at one time it was a struggle. I just gave up life as I knew it and practically lived in the barn. They did all recover, though, and that made it worth all the work. And, when yours are better and your back to riding again it will be worth it, too.
We,too, are having one of those never ending winter/springs. Alternating snow showers, thunder and hail storms. It makes horse keeping without sick horses bad enough. Everyone, including the mill, is out of shavings and won't have any until it dries up enough for the mill to get more logs. So, we are using stove pellets. When they run out, not sure what we'll use. The weather makes turning people out impossible. So, spend a lot of time doing creative stall cleaning. Gave up on riding or trying to keep horses clean, and spend all free time worrying about flooding.
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