limping horse

We know our 22 year old gelding has arthritis and can only be ridden lightly. But yesterday my sister forgot to give him his medication and but still rode him Really thoughtless of her I know. Anyway, he was limping really,really badly with his left hind. Every time he took a step, he'd put his toe down first and then his heel. It was quite pronounced and I was wondering if anyone had heard of a horse do this before? Perhaps it is just his arthritis. Its just that I've seen horses limp, but never do the toe first and then heel thing... what causes it?

It could indeed be the arthritis, but it could also be the trim. If his trims have been consistent and this is the first time you've noticed toe/heel movement, it's probably not the trim. Perhaps his arthritis is beginning to calcify the joint and he has difficulty with the extension or compaction(? Right word) of the joint. Is he on constant pain meds, hence one day missed would have affected him that much?

I would put him in a small yard for the time being (if he is still lame) and call the vet.

I have seen this when our mare had a flap of skin hanging off the back of her leg. We kept her in a small paddock and just waited for the wound to heal.

With your horse I'm not sure really what to do.. Just call your local vet for some advice I would suggest. And I don't think being of his meds for 1 day would affect him yet ; perhaps 3-7 days.

Hope It Helps!

Well he actually only has the medications on days she is going to ride him. The vet told us not to give them to him every day due to the side effects.

Sounds like just a straight pain med then. Is he getting anything for his arthritis on a longer term basis? I used glucosamine and chondroitin and had great success.

Even using just MSM on a daily basis helps my Appy with his arthritis. I give him bute for about 3 days before the trimmer comes as he needs that extra help while being trimmed. MSM is very economical.