My Horse is Lame - What Could Be Wrong?

We had a freak thing happen to us 2 weeks or so ago. The winds got really high here, and the trampoline in our yard literally flew into the horse paddock. We had a post down, and our conclusion is that Rusty tried to jump the 4 foot something paddock fence because he was so worked up. Obviously, he didn't make it and isn't going to be a Grand Prix jumper!

Rusty's entire leg was swollen, hip to fetlock. I called the vet and he told me to keep an eye on it, give him 2 grams of Bute twice a day, cold hose his leg, and Vet Wrap it. He thought Rusty probably banged it up pretty good. I vet wrapped it but was hesitant on giving the Bute so much and I don't have an enclosure where I can cold hose.

Rusty's condition has improved some. The swelling is now only in his hock. He can walk fairly well, but if he goes any faster, he runs on three legs or limps (I don't run him...he does it himself!). Also, it seems like he steps "wrong" sometimes and has to get weight off his sore leg immediately. It's been a week though, and I just think Rusty would be improving more. He has full access to the paddock after I initially stalled him for three days after the accident.

I plan on calling the vet tomorrow to see if I can get him out to look at Rusty or take Rusty to the clinic. Since it's Thanksgiving, though, would anyone have any ideas on this situation? My poor buddy looks so sad I take the other horse out for a ride. :(

If it's only been a week, then I'd expect it to be still sore, even if only bad bruising. Hopefully that's all it is.

But are you saying the vet didn't even come out when it happened, just advised you over the phone to 'keep an eye on it'?? I am presuming you're not a vet nurse or otherwise experienced in dealing with lameness & injury? I'd personally be looking to find a *good* equine vet to come out, pref with an ultrasound, as it could be anything - how would you know if he fractured his leg, tore ligaments, whatever?

I really don't want to sound rude-you are new here and all, but........Firstly, has it been one week or 2? You state both. Secondly, why, now on a holiday weekend would you all of a sudden think it necessary to call the vet back? You say he has improved some, and you didn't follow what the vet said in the first place, which, frankly, I do not understand. Do you not have running water? Even so, you could soak towels in ice water and wrap it to cool it. And what was your reasoning for not giving the Bute? You DO understand that it serves to decrease the inflammation (and swelling, etc) and not just the pain? I can appreciate that you are concerned about your horse, but if you pay the $$ for the vet, the least you can do is try and do what they suggest. JMHO. Bruises like this (sounds like he got himself good) take time. IMO, wait a few days, then call the vet again, but this time, please do as they say. If you have a question, ask it, don't just not do it.

Well, I'm not very good at counting lol but it's been about two weeks I THINK since the injury happened. I waited a couple of days after watching Rusty just to see if he would bounce back. When he didn't, I did call the vet, and I suppose I should've called him sooner.

The vet didn't think it was necessary to come out at the time, just thought Rusty had banged up his leg. He just advised me over the phone, which was free. I've heard Bute can cause digestive upset or something like that if used too much. Now I should've asked about that, but when he called back I was in a rush to an interview - again, should've called back. He said if I was still concerned or if there was no improvement to give him a call again and he could come out.

Honestly, I never even thought of cold wrapping his leg. The thought didn't even occur to me. It's not that I don't have running water, it's the fact that there's no good place where I keep him to cold hose - and that the water has been frozen morning and evening, the only two times I have been home recently.

This all boils down to the fact that I've never had a lame horse before. I've had sore ones that recover in a few days, but no lame ones. And certainly never ones that have tried to be Grand Prix jumpers and failed. :)

I was most concerned today because I was really watching Rusty, and for the last few days, he's seemed to be improving a little each day, but then yesterday when I wrote the post he would step wrong on his sore leg or something and really limp. I just really don't know.

And you may NOT know w/o an Xray to see if there is a fracture.

DO use the Bute. Do cold wrap or hose (ice will work too.. use a plastic bag and secure it with duct tape over a wrap.. put ice in it and secure at the tope with duct tape and then wrap over the whole works and let it go an hour or until the ice melts.. or come up with something creative on your own). DO confine him so if it is a sprain it can get better or if it is a fracture it cannot move so much and perhaps displace.

With this if there is no improvement in 48 hours call the vet.

Personally, I would never put ice in a plastic bag on any living thing. Use something like a towel in between the bag and the skin. Particularly with something that cannot tell you in is getting frostbite. And afte this long, heat may be the way to go. I would check with the vet. Ice initially always.

So your water is frozen, how do you water your horses? Sounds like your impossible to help. Won't give bute or cold hose or anything really? Hmmm.......I guess just let it go and see what happens, wait your already doing that. Honestly it will probably turn out okay in my opinion really just needs time but you could definantly help it along by doing something. Sounds like someone else takes care of your horse for you maybe you should pass the info on to them from the vet. And pay them for their extra time if they are willing to do it.

You could try just tying him up and sponging his leg down with cold water. It would be better than nothing.
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