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Lame Horse - Suggestions Appreciated Part II2007-11-24 21:18:19

Sorry guys I'm new so I didn't realise buy applauding an answer I was "closing it" so I'll ask again in case anyone has anymore ideas:

I know my horse is lame but its hard to tell if its just mild soreness from a difficult training session or if its something more serious. I have a VERY hot TB who is 17.1hh. When I say hot I mean he needs specially trained handlers despite being a gelding. That aside he had a serious training session three days ago where he was essentially very, very agressive with the trainer and the trainer just stayed on waiting for him to calm down. He worked himself into circles like a western cow horse for an hour. He finally calmed down but the next day he seemed lame. I put liniment on it and gave it a day's rest. The second day he seemed completely fine and worked as usual. Today he was sore again. My plan now is to give him two days rest and see how he does and call the vet if nothing improves. What exactly may have happened? How do I alleviate the soreness?

Answers:

I did not see part 1, but based on your very complete description, I would call it soreness from the workout. I know sometimes a training session can get a bit out of hand with a big boy like this, but I would have tried to finish it, too , just like your trainer ( I am anticipating all the "quit working the horse so hard" answers.) I would go with stall rest for a few days, hand walking and regular grooming and handling so he does not go out of his mind. Do you have access to a horse pool ? Then you can keep exercising and conditioning without joint stress. I don't think that is what is bothering him now, but could be a problem later on. Keep using the liniment for the soreness in the meantime, and try to ease him back into training. I wouldn't put him on bute or anything yet since his soreness is mild, and he does not have much heat. If you take away his pain and he starts feeling better, he may get frisky and hurt himself more. You are already watching for his discomfort, so it sounds like you know what you are doing.

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Have the vet see him, that really is your best bet since all of us would be just guessing. It really would be better for the vet to have a look at him and for you to be able to explain it all to the vet. He could have a bowed tendon or pull of some sort, it's so hard to say. He will be able to tell you right off and get to the source of what is going on with your beautiful horse. It will keep him from further injury.