I know I will have her vetted but until Tuesday, I was wondering if any of you could take a stab as to what is wrong with hubby's ten year old mare. She must have slipped or stepped wrong in the pasture. A couple of weeks back I noticed her favoring her left front mildly. There was no heat in her leg, any of her legs and I could not find any soreness but I am not a vet. After a few days, she was getting better. After a few more days, she was running around like normal (I know, it does not mean she is sound.) We decided after a few weeks to try a short easy ride on her, ten minutes into a walk she came up moderately lame. It seems like it is in her left shoulder. We turn her back out in the pasture and she walks and trots like nothing is wrong. Her turning to the left is slightly off/stiff but mild. I am baffled as to a rider's weight severely irritating her "injury." I feel like it is in her shoulder and possibly her back, muscle, nerves etc. I just hope it isn't permanent. I have a gut feeling she won't be ridden the rest of this year if not well into the spring.
Posted 2013-09-05 4:13 PM (#154561 - in reply to #154458) Subject: RE: Lameness
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
I did see a vet yesterday and he hoof tested her and took ex rays which were very good, thank God. Her toes are bruised, one worse than the other. I can't figure out how because she was not ridden for a month prior to this happening and it happened a few weeks back. It happened in the pasture, it's basically dirt. I visually looked around to try and find something that might be the cause, baffled. Anyhow, shoes, pads, and bute for six days. She should be rideable. If she isn't sound after the shoes are off in six weeks, he is going to probe further. Hopefully she will be fine....ya' know, I read somewhere that when you think their lameness is from the shoulder, start with their feet first, more so than not it is their feet/foot.
Posted 2013-09-06 5:42 AM (#154575 - in reply to #154458) Subject: RE: Lameness
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
I know what u mean about the shoulder. My girl was stiff, limping, when turning to the right. I thought it was shoulder related too. See my post about ringbone. Hope ur girl is better soon.
Posted 2013-09-22 7:46 AM (#154892 - in reply to #154458) Subject: RE: Lameness
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
Maybe a high abcess? My Danny was like that...then he was 3 legged lame and I thought shoulder, knee, pastern, etc....then, of all things, I youtubed 'lame horse' and voila...abcess hobble. I even did 'shoulder, back, etc' in youtube search. The abcess blew at the coronet band. He hoof tested fine many times.
Posted 2013-09-24 7:07 AM (#154930 - in reply to #154458) Subject: RE: Lameness
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
Well, tried riding her and she ended up lame again. Had a farrier recommend a chiropractor. Pads and shoes apparently aren't the answer. Also, slightly sore in left shoulder and a little sore in right heel.....no laminitis, no abscess....Do I pay a chiropractor or go back to my vet? Frustrating.....
Posted 2013-09-24 8:40 AM (#154933 - in reply to #154458) Subject: RE: Lameness
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
An abcess can take a while to come out. depends.Also lameness can manifest itself in a opposite limb..for instance, the problem can be a left hip but look like they are lame in right front leg. A complete lameness exam is in order. Depending on the horse you might want to see a specialist in performance horse lameness issues.
Lameness
