Help! swelling/pain issues?

Question

My 10 yr old TB gelding has been having issues. His back, out of the blue monday, was in pain. We narrowed it down to a spot just back and down from the wither region on his left side. He tenses and skirts away when you put pressure. When you try to get him to trot he will whip his head around in pain after a few strides. He's not lame though. At one point when I was lunging him, he was at a steady working trot when all of a sudden he burst into a gallop. It was strange, idk if maybe a nerve ending is sending a shooting pain that is making him bolt, idk. In any case, when I took him in the barn his left hock was swollen with what feels like a liquid sack. You can move it around and its quite squishy, but he no sign of lameness.

I'm on a tight budget and I would really like to hear of some home remedies before I call the vet out. If anyone has experience with either of these things I would appreciate it.

I'm letting him have a week or two off while I go back to school, I'm hoping the time off to relax in the pasture will do wonders. If not, I'm open to suggestions of what to do then or in the meantime. Thanks :)

Answer 1

I can certainly understand a tight budget. I just spent $5000 on the horse you see in my avatar this summer. But it really does sound like you need the vet to come out and take a look at him. I would not ride him again until you find out what the problem is as you may cause further damage, and certainly more pain. And he does not need that right now. He may not be showing any signs of lameness, but if he has a swollen hock, you can bet there is something going on there. Since none of us can see him, it really is the wise thing to let the vet look at it.

Answer 2

Unfortunately these two issues do not sound like they are home remedial. For back pain generally stall rest is indicated. If he had trauma to either site, the quicker it is treated the better the prognosis. I would do a week of stall rest then a week of quiet pasture rest. However, I would check on him everyday to look for changes in either spot. I would also start taking his temp. at the same time every day, so you can see if he is starting to brew an infection.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Go to the doctor.

Answer 4

Check out Bog Spavin

http://www.saferhorseracing.com/gpage5.h...

This works well on your condition.

http://www.allivet.com/Surpass-p/12010.h...

http://www.allivet.com/Antiphlogistine-p...

Answer 5

get a person who knows horse acupuncture there very rare but they can help i would look into it they look for passageways that are blocked and they unblock them

Answer 6

For the back pain, stall rest is all you can really do to help, normally it will remedy itself. Make sure that your saddle and your saddle pad fit properly and aren't causing any pressure points. There are also equine chiropractors and massage therapists, but they aren't cheap and take multiple visits to see notable differences.

For the hock thing, is it in the front of the hock or the side of the hock? If it the front, it might be a bog spavin, and if the side it might be a thoroughpin. Both result from excess synovial fluid in the joint and are common in horses with poor hock conformation, and are considered blemishes rather than unsoundness because they rarely result in lameness. Lunging puts excess strain on the horse's inside limbs, so if you noticed the hock after you went left, that would make sense.

If he is not lame, I would give him some time off to recover from his back, then carefully bring him back to work, making sure to do strengthening exercises like lateral work (leg yields) and be aware about tight turns.

Answer 7

o girl im sorry. For a 10 year old i cant say he is old. He might have stepped on something that is causing the infection. In stead lettin him rest clean the area with something. Dont use the alcohol on the open wound if it is open. But best advice is to take him to the vet. If he is in great pain they might give him some pain medication. He is in pain probably. take him as soon as you find a chance....

Good luck and please keep me posted.. Clean the swelling with warm water first. If you have any antibiotics give him some. I know its hard when you on the tight budget and you have sick animal but try to borrow money or something.. You'll figure it out i know :) Again wish i was there to help.......

Answer 8

okay as for his back problems, just gently massage it with ligament stuff. It will help reduce pain and sweling About the thing on his hock, it sounds like an absess.

email me at [e-mail] for more help.

Thanks