[Kennacat]

The last couple days my mare has seemed...lame? At a walk and trot she's actually fine. She doesn't resist weight on the foot, she doesn't drag it, or swing it out. But at a lope she seems to miss her step with it, and she stays low... I need to get a video, it's hard to explain. And it only when the 'problem' foot is on the inside of a circle. Has anyone ever seen this? I plan to give her a couple days off and if there is no change I'll call the vet....but I would like to know what we could be getting into.

Thanks

 

[Golden Horse]

Video definitely needed!

 

[JCnGrace]

That was the first sign I had of my mare developing low ringbone. I described to the vet that it felt like she was dropping her shoulder at a canter. It will require x-rays to know for sure because I bet there are a lot of other things that could cause the same symptom.

 

[horselovinguy]

You need your vet now...
This has been already occurring for a few days....
How many more days till you seek help for her?

The time to get this figured out is while the horse is showing the problem....now.
I get "waiting"...
I also get the horse will learn to compensate and then in a short while you will possibly have 2 problems, the original and now another one because the original was not taken care of...

Please call your vet, consult your vet and do as your vet suggests....
:runninghorse2:....
jmo...

 

[beau159]

Impossible to guess what it might be without at least seeing a video.

Horses are "human" too in that they might tweak something one day and be fine in a couple days, just like we do too. But certainly if it does not resolve and/or gets worse, a vet visit is usually in order.

 

[loosie]

I too dont think theres any harm in giving her a few days off & 'grace' before getting vet. Definitely dont work an 'off' horse, unless on vets advice.

Who knows whether its something in her foot, leg or even back that is causing this. Is it just when she is ridden or saddled she is lame or is it all the time? You might also want to consult an equine podiotherapist if vet deems its in the foot, or a vet chiro if the issue is high up.

 

[Kennacat]

She's still resting today, I just thought I'd add that I thought it was a stifle problem. She was having a horrible time picking up the right lead on the read end. But there is absolutely no swelling, no heat, and she's not sore. I stretched both legs and her 'off' leg was TIGHT. I'll stretch her out the next few days, mix in a couple stifle exercises (the tail thing) and then put her in a round pen and see what she looks like. Does any of this sound familiar?

If there is still a problem I will call my vet guys... I'm not only giving her a chance to maybe rest off a funny step she took playing in the pasture and trying to save myself some money, I'm also gathering information so I have a solid explanation of what's happening to tell my vet.

 

[Light]

Be careful working her in a round pen if she has just recovered from an injury. I have done that with my horse before and it set us back a week. All depends on your horse. Sometimes those circles can be hard on them.

 

[Copperhead]

I'm going to throw my money in on she may just need a chiro adjustment. If theres no heat or swelling then the problem might A.) Be in the hoof like its been suggested or B.) Some other type of skeletal issue. Her hip could be out if she's not stretching the leg out in the stride when she's supposed to.

Or, her jaw might be out, which would cause her neck to be out, which would cause her back to be out, which would cause her hip to be out. You get where I'm going there.

You know the horse better than we do though, so its up to you to decide where she's hurting and who to call. We can only make suggestions. A video would be great though!

 

[loosie]

Do not 'stretch' your horse! You can easily do some serious damage, especially as you don't even know what the injury is! Instead, if you feel the need/have knowledge enough to think it will help, find exercises that SHE can do that will stretch HERSELF as much or as little as she's physically able.

 

[loosie]

Be careful working her in a round pen if she has just recovered from an injury. I have done that with my horse before and it set us back a week. All depends on your horse. Sometimes those circles can be hard on them.

Tight/fast circles are hard on a horse lightening, not just when injured. They're not built for it.

 

[Light]

And that is why I don't round pen my horse. They are really bad on every part of them, but so many people feel that it is needed.