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  Discussion on Horse limping
Author Message
Member:
horse4u

Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 12:35 pm:

Yesterday I went to get my horse and she would not come to me. I put on her halter and she would not move. I pulled her off balance and she moved forward. She was limping and obviously in pain. I did not see any swelling, feel any heat, see any abrasions. The limping was in the front on the right side. She would put weight on it. I had a hard time getting her to lift her hoof so I could look at it. When I did finally get her to pick it up she seemed uncomfortable in her shoulder area and unsteady. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. She is barefoot and recently trimmed.
I gave her 2 scoops of bute. An hour later she was moving around very gingerly still limping and appearing to be in pain. I called my vet who is on vacation and explained to him my observations. He said to keep her on bute for a couple of days and see if she was better. If not, call him back. Thought it might be a pulled or strained muscle in the shoulder. She would back up when I touched that area. I put some linament on her before I left.

Today, my husband said she is moving around much better and was even running with her pasture buddy. I'll check on her this evening.

If she appears normal tomorrow do you think it is safe to ride her? Is it possible she just has/had a sore muscle or cramp?

Thanks
Member:
canter

Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 3:12 pm:

Vicki, I like to err on the side of caution when it comes to what appears to be a minor sprain, bump or bruise. If the horse is completely sound in a day or two, I will still give it a few days, just to be sure that bute isn't masking anything serious or that the horse isn't being stoic.

I think often I am being overly neurotic, but I like to ensure that whatever the issue was, it is well healed before putting any sort of riding stress on it.
Member:
horse4u

Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 9:23 pm:

Thanks Fran, I usually err on the side of caution too. The weather is just soooo nice this weekend.
I checked on her this evening and she is moving around really well, but still appears to be off a bit. I can't believe the difference in just one day. I gave her 2 scoops of bute and put some liniment on her. She let me pick up her hoof today without any hesitation. I checked it and poked around with the hoof pick, pressed on her frogs but didn't detect anything unusual. Still no swelling anywhere and no heat detected anywhere along her leg or hoof.
I won't be riding her Sunday.
Member:
canter

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 6:44 pm:

Glad she's feeling better, Vicki. They always seem to do these things at the times we most want to ride!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 8:29 am:

Hello Vicki,
Without knowing the cause of the lameness it is not possible to guess how long is best before returning to work. The main concern is possible reinjury of a soft tissue problem before it has time to heal. Of course the horse should be absolutely sound when lunged at a trot both ways. After that, I recommend you take the first few rides very easy, slowly increasing work to be sure it does not cause the lameness returns.
DrO
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