For past 3 months - 20+ year old horse has dragged right front toe (only noticeable in the arena), at walk and trot, hesitant to pick up right lead canter. At start of 3 months, noticed the toe dragging, then 3 days later: knee swollen/ upper leg swollen (lower leg not swollen). Sweat wrapped for 3 days, swelling went down and has not returned. No heat. However, the dragging toe has continued. Did not like knee flexed. Trips often.
Vet came out, blocked the leg starting above hoof, then above ankle, then above knee. No change in gait/toe dragging.
Started equinox
Had feet x-rayed. Angles fine, just shortened the toes. Has had a massage and chiro treatments with shoulder adjustments that did not change anything.
A week 1/2 ago injected the shoulder joint and shoulder bursa. Has a remaining bulge (not hot, painful, allows leg to be stretched forward) at the top of leg and atrophy of extensor muscle.
Anyone seen a budged leg or atrophy like this? Currently walking under saddle, leg occasionally ābucklesā or small trip forward. Toe is still dragging at both walk and trot. Anyone with experience with this?