Update to previous post-lame L front and footsore

[sonestra]

Hi everyone,

I am following up from my last post regarding my gelding who was reluctant to lift his right hind, and off on one of his front legs. It presented as if he was falling into a hole every 4th stride or so, and he did not want to move forward on the lunge. I also noticed lost muscle on his back and hindquarters.

So, the vet came out, and found he had popped a splint on the right, but was set and cold (not sure when it happened, as he is not in work and his hairy legs hide it really well) but his sole was pretty sore on the left front. His heel was not sore, and Xrays showed nothing of concern, aside from a thinner sole than he expected for my horse’s breed. There was a digital pulse present as well. As for the right hind, he was normal as far as lifting up the leg. On the lunge, he was lame on the left front, tracking right. It was more subtle than before, and he wasn’t having that odd step every 4th stride or so any longer. Vet thinks the trimmer took off too much sole (which he should not have done but it was witnessed by the BO), and horse was sore and a little bruised. He wanted me to send a video in 2 weeks.

The other day I sent him videos, and he said horse is much improved, but the lameness is still detectable on the left front. I had previously told the vet that while lame on the left front, he is also moving completely differently than he normally does. I ended up sending the vet a video of how my horse normally moves, and he was surprised, as he had no baseline prior. Vet agreed my horse currently looks sore up front and reluctant to move out freely, along with the left front issue. At this point my vet is coming out again and I do want blood pulled to look at tickborne diseases, as well as his Vit E and Selenium levels. In the meantime, I was hoping to bounce some ideas off of the group.

Please throw any thoughts my way, as we wait an agonizingly long time for the vet to come back out!

[IPEsq]

When the vet saw him, you said he was off on LF tracking right. Does that mean sound on LF tracking left? Often, when the forelimb is lame on the outside of the circle, that is a soft tissue problem. It could be something with the medial aspect of the foot (such as pedal osteitis, abscess, bruise), but your vet should have identified that.

Doesn’t sound like you did any flexions or blocks of any foot/leg. That would be the normal next step.

But it also sounds like there’s maybe something neurologic going on with reluctance to go forward and muscle wasting. So, testing for tick disease is a good idea. Maybe EPM?

[No1]

If the farrier dug out a bunch of sole, the horse might need shoes on for a cycle or two. Just to provide some support.

The vet should hoof test again, possibly block the feet. I would do all of that before doing any sort of blood test.

[sonestra]

Yes, lame L front tracking right, with the L front on the outside outaise. I was taught the same about the outside leg being lame but the vet is fairly confident this is a hoof issue.

He did not do flexions or block, as right away my horse reacted to the hoof testers. The xrays of his feet were clean, aside from the thin sole. I think those combined lead him to the conclusion that his hoof were the issue, and likely bruised, though no actual bruises were seen.

I totally forgot to ask about bloodwork during the visit , but I will at this time. Thank you for your input!

[sonestra]

Vet specifically mentioned blocking the feet for this next visit, to rule out pain in any other areas. He also seems to think this is due to the farrier taking off sole, combined with my horse favoring the leg in which he popped the splint and therefore taking the load with his L front. He said the same about shoes, which I’m fine with. He’s worn shoes before when our previous barn had rough footing.

[PamnReba]

You could put boots on him until the vet can make it back out to see if that makes him more comfortable and improves his way of going. Easyboot Clouds are my support boot of choice, but anything to give him some sole relief would work. I also use these with a Cloud pad, just drill a few holes in the bottom if need be for drainage
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/the-medicine-boot-1321?_br_psugg_q=soaking+boot

They are way less expensive and I can get them at my local Tractor Supply.

[sonestra]

@PamnReba, I was under the impression they had to be removed for so many hours each day. Is that accurate? My vet did suggest this, and my reason for not doing so is my inability to go out to the barn daily. I am immune compromised and have a baby at home, so it’s tough to coordinate safely.

[PamnReba]

Honestly, I have left them on for days at a time without any ill-effects whatsoever. As long as they stayed clean and dry, there was no reason that I could come up with to take them off except to check for rubs, etc. - especially since my mare felt so much better with them on. Others may disagree, but as long as there’s no obvious reason to remove them, I wouldn’t worry about it. Just check them periodically (i.e. every coupla-three days), and if all is well, put them right back on.