Help with new horse - bought @ weekend?

Question

Hi all

I have just bought a new horse but everytime I get him out of the box in the mornings he drags his left hind leg, like he cant pick it up. After a few minutes of walking he seems to loosen up and when I ride in the evenings he also seems fine. However this is concerning me. Unfortunately this week he has to stay in isolation and is in a tiny box (he is a big 17hh horse) so moving in that box is limited, unfortunately I cant do anything about that. Also he is limited to turnout whilst on isolstion so he isnt getting much time to stretch his legs. This weekend he goes out in the normal turnout field with the other horses and will also be moving into a huge box.

I am really stressed about it and it's really upsetting me becuase I am so lucky to have this horse as my BF bought him for me and I feel as though I have let him down!! Also I have had problems with other horses and this was supposed to be a fresh start!

Answer 1

he might have a slight hyperextention.

Answer 2

Putting aside any physical problems -- a horse is not a machine, it's a sentient being.

He's probably feeling homesick, he hasn't got used to his new home, he doesn't know if it's temporary or permanent, he has to start new relationships with the humans and animals around him.

It's probably as bad for him as a child going to a new school in a new area where he doesn't know anyone. The first few weeks can be rough (believe me, I've been through it many times).

Take time to build a relationship where you're the boss but he trusts you. This is a slow process but it will pay dividends in the future.

Answer 3

This happens with my TB, he has spavins. They cause stiffness which 'walks off'. Depending on what you want to do with the horse this may not affect him. He should have been vetted before purchase, as spavins show up in a flexion test. You need to consult your vet as this is not just the result of an afternoon nap! If it happened once, then maybe, but not regularly on the same leg. Don't panic too much for this week he is in isolation, just walk him out as much as possible if you can. My TB has recently had a 9 week stint of box rest and it doesn't make the spavins worse (if this is what it is, it sounds like it). By all means email me on [e-mail] if you'd like anymore advice re: spavins - I have plenty of experience with it now! Is the horse sickle hocked or does he have poor hind-end conformation? This can predispose a horse to spavins/bone spurs because the joint is under extra stress (weightbearing incorrectly due to poor conformation) and so the smaller (upper and lower) hock joints 'fuse' - once formed these do not usually affect the day to day work of the horse, but can affect jumping ability as the horse cannot flex it's hind leg as well. The horse will also always be "technically" unsound - NOT lame, but a gait deformity. I feed my TB Devil's Claw, Cod Liver Oil and Equine America's 1000mg Glucosamine and MSM. On cold winter nights he sometimes requires a bute or two. Like I said, by all means email me on the above address, this sounds very much like spavins.

ADD: What stage vetting did your horse recieve? Was he flexion tested? Both spavins and upward fixation of the patella should show up in that (though at 5 he's a little old for upward fixation). I would definately consult your vet, preferably not the individual who vetted your horse. This really sounds like it should have showed up in a vetting, and it could be that your vet is at fault. Having said this, some unscrupulous sellers will bute up a lame horse so it passes the vet, and if this is the case, unless a vet takes blood samples on the day (very expensive) it can't be proved. If this is the case and the seller has done this. You need to get your vet to prove that this condition is longstanding and could not possibly have developed in the few days you have had him. The sooner you get your vet out the better. I would like to agree with what someone else said earlier about isolation - too many people ignore this need so well done you! Good luck with your new horse. I really hope it works out for you :-)

Answer 4

if he passed the vets test then I wouldnt worry! chances are he just has a dead leg from being cramped up in a small box all night!! Just monitor his movement when you move him into a larger box over the weekend and if he continues to drag it maybe call the vet up to double check things again.

And you're not a failure!! this isnt your fault!!!

now stop stressing and enjoy your new horse!

xx

Answer 5

Hi, I'm really sorry for you, you must be so upset about this. Could I ask if it was your own vet or the seller's vet who examined the horse? I had an experience like this once, the seller wanted me to use their vet, and they weren't happy when I used my own, and the horse failed the vetting.

Whatever it is, a 5 year old horse should not be stiff coming out of the stable, especially as you are riding him and he's not cooped up 24 hours a day. He most certainly should not be actually dragging a foot. This is definitely not right for a horse which has been sold to you as sound.

I think you should have the horse re- vetted by another vet. You should also notify the seller of the situation and what you are intending to do, and warn them that if the horse fails the second vetting you will be seeking a full refund. (A lawyer's letter would help. )

You'll be letting your boyfriend down worse if you don't sort this out quickly. The cost of the lawyer's letter will be negligible compared to the potential heartache you could be in for with this horse.

Sorry, I know you don't want to hear stuff like this but it happened to someone on my yard, she kept the horse but could never ride him because he was lame more than he was sound, and he cost a fortune in painkillers.

Answer 6

If the vet didn't find anything in his joints ie stifle or hip, then I would think it's just from stifening under the restricted conditions. What I would definately recomend is to reduce his hard feed to a rest diet, ie just nuts or a small amount of musli without oats (one suitable for horses and ponies in box rest,) and good hay as this will reduce the risk of azotoria or laminitis. And add devils claw powder, which is excellent for joint problems. I feed it to my 27 y o hannovarian mare and although arthritis is starting to set in she can still roll over her back and gallop (rather stifly of course!) over the field.

It takes a couple of weeks to noticably start taking effect, but will assist in "lubricating" the joints.

Good Luck with your new boy, and if he shows no signs of improvement then get the Vet in

Cina99

Answer 7

i have a similar problem with my youngster, but hes starting to grow out if it now! if he has been resting a leg then yes he might be stiff. It might also be that because he is a young horse, he may have been brought into work to early etc, which is straining him as tb sorts take years to grow in to them selves. If he walks it off it might be a good idea to have nerve blockings or flexion tests re done to rule out any serious problems, but they would have shown when you ride him. it would be good to move him into a bigger stable, it might even be that he has caught himself etc when he has lied down or scrabbles the walls when getting up.

Answer 8

i would ask your vet. I doesn't seem to be bothing him but you never know..... Don't grin and bear it while he is in his restricted space for a week with out talking to your vet.  

I hope your horse gets better and all is well for the both of you!!!!!

Answer 9

A typical time I've seen this is after my horses have had an afternoon sleep. They often seem a little stiff, then they work it out in a short time. One of our ponies regularly does this and he is perfectly fit and sound. So... good luck.

Just thinking - every new horse I'm associated with, I see problems for about the first month, then settle down.

Answer 10

How old is your horse? And was he vetted before your BF bought him?

If your horse is older than 9 then it is most likely to be spavins causing the problem. Spavin is arthritis of the small hock joints (the hock joint is made up of 4 joints - one large and 3 small). Other possibilites include arthritis of the lower limb joints (fetlock and coffin) or sacroiliac disease. There is of course the possibility that, if his legs are filling up due to standing in, that this could be the problem, however they would have to be profoundly filled to do this and you don't mention it.

If your horse is a youngster I would suggest it could be upward fixation of the patella or OCD. UFP occurs in undermuscled youngsters, whereby the patella (in the stifle, equivalent to our knee) gets stuck in an abnormal position. It isn't so likely in such a large horse but is still a possibility. OCD is osteochondritis dissecans, a developmental disorder whereby the cartilage doesn't calcify correctly due to abnormal blood supply.

In any case I would strongly advise you to have him seen by your vet. Not only will they diagnose the problem for you they can also look into how/why your boyfriend was sold a lame horse. There is more than likely nothing that can be done about it as unvetted horses are more or less sold as seen, however occasionally there are exceptions. For example, had the horse had OCD screens and shown evidence of OCD, and the vendor did not tell your boyfriend about this, then you may have a case. You may find that whatever is causing the problem is treatable so don't panic - most lamenesses are at least manageable.

As a final note, and please don't take this the wrong way, if you have had problems with horses before then please never buy a horse without having it vetted. I really feel for you as your BF did it as something lovely and you had no say in it, but just for future reference you have very little comeback on anyone if a vet has not looked at the horse before you bought it.

I hope it works out for you!

BTW many brownie points to you for putting him on isolation. It happens so rarely, and I get tired of strangles outbreaks being caused by noone isolating the new horse. Well done!

Edit - ok, as he was vetted then this changes things slightly. As he is young then OCD and UFP are more likely. OCD should have shown up on the vetting if it is now bad enough to cause stiffness UNLESS he had bute; the blood your vet took on the day of vetting will be stored by the VDS and can be tested for bute should your vet be of the opinion that the problem was present that day. If the problem is UFP then plenty of work should resolve the problem. I wouldn't change anything in his management until your vet sees him. Good luck!

Edit 2: I have seen UFP in horses as old as 10 at first presentation.

It is worth noting that a vetting is an 'on the day' exam, not a guarantee of soundness, so just because a vet finds a horse sound and it then turns out to be lame does not mean it's the vet's fault; OCD is notorious for being an intermittent problem, although in your case the problem is clearly very persistent.

Answer 11

Did you get him vetted? You need to get this looked at by a vet in case you need to claim against the vet who passed him.

In fact I would get it checked anyway, it definately doesn't sound normal... and horses shouldn't be stiff unless they are old and/or arthritic.

Answer 12

all he is doing is resting his leg and then hes trying to move it it will get a bit stiff if he has restricticed movement & since he loosens up after a few moments thats all it is he just gets stiff so there is noting to worry about

Answer 13

It sounds like someone sold you a horse with a bad leg.  I would contact who ever sold me the horse and request my money back.  You could also have your vet check out the horse.    It  sounds like when the horse stands up it makes his leg worse.  I wouldn't fasten him in a stall, I would allow him to run free, so he could get exercise.   I  don't feel this horse is going to be a good match for you, because you won't be able to show or ride anytime.  If a judge saw this horse playing favorite to this leg, they would disqualify you in a show.  I don't know if you plan on showing the horse.  But a horse with a bad leg is going to be alot of problems for the owner.  As the horse gets older the problem will become worse, and eventually you may have to have the horse shot.    I would say when you bought the horse it was probably on steroid injections.   I would say the horse has had a previous injury that probably wasn't taken care of correctly.  The horse probably has arthritis or degenerative joint disease now in that leg or hock.   I am referring you to John Lyons articles, check them out.  John Lyons is a trainer,  writes magazines and does video on horses and how to correct problems  with your horses.  He also has clinics all  around that  trainers come and work with you and your horse to try to help with the problem you are having with your horse.  Check out some of the sources.

Answer 14

Did you get him vet checked? I would call out the vet just to be on the safe side and to stop a problem getting worse. Why is he on isolation, i let my horses meet each other straight away to stop stress. i would call the vet though he might need a supplement for stifness. better be safe than sorry

Answer 15

It sounds as though he is getting stiff. This could be the beginnings of arthritis or from an injury. When horses are vetted this can easily be missed. I recommend having your vet recheck his hind quarters. More turnout is always best. is there a way you can pasture board him? Did you buy him from an honest reliable person? If not he could have been doped when you looked at him and this could have masked this problem.

Answer 16

Sounds like stifles.  It could be from kicking the stall all night and making it sore or it could be something more serious.  First try leaving him out if that is an option.

Had a stud once that rolled over in the corner and couldn't get upright so he kicked and kicked until he came out so sore that he could not bend his back leg.  I went and got the next door neighbor whose father was a horse vet.  He looked at the horse and said he stifled himself.  At the time I did not know what that meant so he explained that he kicked the stall until he made his back leg sore.  Then he asked if he kicked the stall at night as habit.  I said no.  He then said that he must have gotten stuck by rolling into a corner and kicked the stall until he could get up.  So we went and looked at the stall and sure enough there was a muddy banged up place where he had gotten stuck like the neighbor said.

If your horse kicks the stall wall with his hind legs, that could be the entire problem.

Answer 17

Hi  Does your horse box walk? If he does this then this may be why he drags his leg. My 15hh cob gets stressed when he eat all of his haylage  or gets left on his own and  he walks in circle around and around his box. As a result his shoe wears on his near side hind but the farrier sorts his shoes out. Don't get stressed relax and enjoy your new horse.  Iam sure things will sort themselves out. Your horse will be stressed he is in a new home with people and horses he does not know some horse take months to settle down.

Answer 18

did you get him vetted when you bought him....this should have came up on the vet check but i would personally call the vet.