Lameness in horses?

Question

My 14-15 year old Quarter Horse mare, Jackie, is a great horse to ride but she get lame alot! Me and my riding partner think it's her left hing legs, cause she hates pressure on it and when lefted she leans on you....What are the other reasons she keeps getting lame?

Answer 1

If your horse is having a reoccuring lameness problem, I seriously suggest you speak to your vet.  The sporadic and reoccuring lameness, the leaning, not wanting you to mess with the sore limb - to me, that seriously suggest navicular.   Unfortunately, Quarter Horses just seem prone to eventually have navicular in my experience.  I have been around alot of horses with navicular and what you described is exactly what they did - including my own 2 horses.  However, navicular is not the death sentence in a horse it once was - there are many treatment options that can help your horse remain comfortable and even rideable (though I seriously discourage hard riding and any discipline that would cause excessive, unnecessary impact to the legs - such as jumping).  Getting help ASAP is important to the well-being of this horse.

My horse (who is a QH) has navicular, and I am still able to lightly ride her and trail ride her.  But help is essential to slow its progression and maintain a reasonable comfort level in the horse.

Regardless of what is going on with your horse - navicular or otherwise-  still please seek the advice of your vet.

Answer 2

Hm. Sounds like it could be an abcess. I would have the vet come out and look at it. If you can't pay for a vet I suggest getting   Epsom Salt and putting it in a bucket of water. Then soak her foot in it twice a day for 20 minutes each time. If this doesn't cure after a week, then you definitely should call the vet out.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

It could be that she was incorrectly shod (If you shoe her at all.)  I would have the vet come out to confirm this,  and then switch farriers if this is the case.

Answer 4

It could possibly be an abcess. If I was you, I would start soaking her hoof in a mixture of Epsom Salt and water every day for about a week. I her symptoms do not decrease then continue soaking and contact your vet. The soak will bring out the abcess usually. Be sure to keep her hoof clean. I done this to my barrel horse and it brought the abcess out in about 2 weeks. If she doesn't get better it could be something to do with her bones like authritis or possibly a bad sprang to a muscle or ligament. BE CONSISTANT WITH SOAKING! I hope she gets better!!!