Horse banged his foot - Help?

Question

About three weeks ago my horse banged his hind nearside foot quite hard and he limped for about 5 mins. He seemed to walk it off in the field - he came in sound. I worked him as normal the rest of week, even went jumping at weekend, no signs of lameness. Then about 5 days after he went lame, mainly in trot you could see he was "favouring" that leg. Called vet out and he checked his pulses (as he suffers with Laminitis), they were normal, no heat, no swelling etc. etc. all seemed normal so he said rest for a week.

Vet and blacksmith came Monday this week to check and trotted him up - he was sound. Said start working him, so I did lightly in the Menage, he seemed fine.

Today, Wednesday he came out stable un-sound, and is resting this leg all the time.

Shall I insist on x-rays? Could he have chipped a bone? Could it be an abcess?

Any suggestions welcome.

Answer 1

He's probably just worried about his leg. But i would get x rays just to be on the safe side.

Answer 2

get an x-ray done. This sounds like what my favourite horse at the stable yard where I work had. she didn't get an x-ray done and they didn't know what was up with her and she was ill for ages. Definitely get an x-ray done.

Answer 3

Hi there,

I totally know how you feel. I have a pony who is exactly like that one day he is fine- the next he is lame and then he is off for 2 -3 weeks normally and then back into work and then off again. We have been going through this all winter. But its because he is in a 5 accre pasture with 14 other horses and he is the smallest ( 14hh) and there are big Clydales he like sto boss up and then he gets hurtt from being a goof.

What I would do is cold horse his leg fo 10- 20 minutes then put some green cool or Absorbine Linament ( cooling sensation) on his leg. And then give him another week off. If he still hasn't shown any signs in getting better i would then prceed to getting some x-rays taken.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Poor guy, Try wrapping it for support , if he'll let you. Make sure he has soft bedding. I wouldn't worry to much yet unless you see him leaning into the wall for support., allow him plenty of rest.

Answer 5

its entirely up to you about getting an xray. but it is probably a sprain. where it is not like crucially painfull but aches occasionally. coz when my horse got a sprain he went lame on anfd for like 2 months untill the muscle had recovered.

Answer 6

Yes or yes.  He could have chipped a bone and the chip is floating about causing intermittent lameness or he could be developing an abcess, the timing would be just about right for that.  Radio graphs at the vet will answer both questions.

Good luck.

Answer 7

If this has gone on for a while and he's been off and on sound, I'd get an X-ray.  If it had been an abcess, your farrier would have found it.  You can use the handle of a hoof pick and press on the sole of your horse's hoof, that would show you if the soreness is in the sole.  Then it's your call to call the vet and have him sort out if it's an abcess or chipped bone.

Answer 8

I would definately Xray. If he suffers from Laminitis this percussion trauma could have set his pedal bone loose and started an infection in the laminae.

This can only be diagnosed by an xray.

If he banged his leg or pastern it could be a chip, but again xray to diagnose.

An abcess is due to intrusion of bacteria. You didn't say if there was an open wound or not - also severe bruising can cause a lot of pain.

I would advise to get your vet in again.

Good Luck

Answer 9

Depending on what part of his foot he banged, he could have chipped something, or he could also have an abscess.  Ask for the vet to check for the abcess which is fairly easy to do.  If he finds nothing then of course you are within your rights to ask for x-rays though I would not think a chipped bone would cause intermittent lameness.  It could also be a joint problem which has nothing to do with the bang.  Good luck and I hope he gets better soon.

Answer 10

take your horse to an animal doctor.

Answer 11

If you suspect an abscess, go ahead and treat it like one for a few days. If he stays lame/gets worse, I'd think abscess too. But if he is off & on lame, or no abscess becomes obvious, get the xrays - at least you'll know what isn't wrong with him!

Answer 12

my horse tore the inside of her leg open badly bled like crazy but showed no sign of lameness. it a survival thing, the injured get eaten . if there is no outward appearance for injury or swelling, with any heat in it  and he keeps going lame ?obviously there is something wrong probably minor tendon bruising i personally wouldn't muck around id get an x ray to be sure.