Horse lame...can't figure out why

Ok, so i go out on Monday to ride Rocky and lo and behold he's lame on his right front. I checked for any injuries or swelling and there were none. His leg doesn't have a scratch on it. He moves fine at the walk, but is definitely lame at the trot. I stretched it out and walked him monday and tuesday and today i lunged him a bit to see whether he was better. His leg seems better but he's still favoring it. My question is: how do you think he went lame? He only gets ridden 3 days a week so its not an issue of overwork. i'm used to having horses go lame because of a seeable injury so thats why i'm asking for help. Do you think he just slipped in the pasture (he's out 24/7) and tweaked something?

also, what else can i do to help speed recovery? Ive been going out everyday to stretch out his forelegs and walking him for a while to stretch the muscles out. Other than that, i'm not sure what else to do.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!! and i can give more info if needed

Are you 100% sure that he is lame on the forelimb - sometimes an unsound hind limb lameness can manifest itself in the front.

Always best to check all four limbs, even if the horse only appears to be unsound on one.

Do you have stony ground that he can have a stonebruise from - they are not always easy to spot.

Check his hoof for warmth. Sounds like an abscess to me. If it doesn't get better have a vet take a look to be sure.

I agree with Nutty, it could be a hind leg that is lame. However, it also could be a stone bruise, a pulled muscle, a strained tendon, a twisted joint, or any number of other things. It could also be an abcess in the hoof or his back could be out of place. The only way to really know is to take him to the vet and have him checked out. If that is not an option, then I would suggest walks as often as possible and try not to let him trot or lope on hard or rocky ground. Just take it easy for a couple or 3 weeks and go from there.

you know, i didn't even think of an abscess. i'll check his hooves out when i go out tomorrow. thanks!

Get some epsom salt and soak the foot for about 15 minutes in warm water. If it's an abscess it'll help to get it to blow. If not, well, you've only wasted 15 minutes.

I agree with the others, check for abscesses and stone bruising. I would also check if his shoe (if he is shod) is loose and if there is something caught under it. My gelding went weirdly lame for no obvious reason, then a day or two later, he threw his shoe. The next day he was walking perfectly fine.

that was my first thought as well...

However - a single soaking session may not bring it to the surface!

agreed... if it is indeed an abscess it could take a while and the lameness issue could go as bad as three-legged lame before the abscess surfaces. You could paint some ichthomal (is that how you spell it?) on the surface of the hoof to draw it out. that is.. IF it is indeed an abscess......