[SuZQuzie]

So, Penny, my TB mare, had hurt herself not too long ago. The vet had come out that last time and couldn't find anything hot or swollen, so she told me just to give her some time off.

While she was healing, I had upped her dose of Consequin and was icing her leg daily and walking her around. About two weeks ago, she was looking great and showed no signs of lameness. I started to ride her and bring her back slowly. Only walking for the first week, then trotting last week, next week I would start cantering.

Yesterday, decided that I would give her her first turn-out in a while. I guess that was very silly on my part. She was bucking and galloping and stopping quickly and turning quickly. Once she calmed down a bit, I started working her by asking her to just trot back and forth over three trot poles. We also did some transitions between the walk, trot, and canter. She was loose and I figured that I would start rebuilding those muscles without the extra weight.

Go out today and she is swollen on the inside of her upper left leg quite prominently. It isn't noticeably hotter than the other leg in that area, but she does flinch when I add pressure to it. I feel quite silly.

I was always so proud that she never went lame and that I wouldn't be contributing to the lame sporthorse population by breeding her and then she is lame constantly after she takes! Go figure.

Any ideas as what it could be? I plan on calling the vet tomorrow, but I would like some mental preparedness.

I have no pictures now, but I will post some once I get the camera back from mommy.

Editted to add picture below to show area of swelling.

[mandiemoo]

wow i have no idea what it would be. but then i guess that with having all that time off and then hooning around, tis no wonder that it has flared up again. um.......let me have a think about what it could be

[SuZQuzie]

Originally Posted by mandiemoo

wow i have no idea what it would be. but then i guess that with having all that time off and then hooning around, tis no wonder that it has flared up again. um.......let me have a think about what it could be

Ahh, but you see, it was in a different area... maybe. Before, the vet nor I had much of any idea of what it could be. She was fine on her flexion tests, no heat, no swelling, just lame.

This time, there is obvious swelling and pain.

[ches]

Yeah I remember last time we thought maybe her shoulder... hopefully she just banged herself with a hoof during her bucking and carrying on. Silly Penny! Next time work her before turning her out.

[tucklove]

My mare pulled her check ligament, it looks like the same area. It's not a devastating injury, in fact a lot of racers have their checks cut because they're not SO important. Still, if that's it, she'd need some R&R. Page didn't have to be stalled, but she couldn't be worked for a few months. It was a while ago, but I *think* the check connects the superficial flexor tendon to the bone or the deep digital flexor to the bone or maybe holds the two together... nevermind, I don't know, I'm just reaching. Hope she feels better.

[JBandRio]

Perfect location for a popped splint.

[SuZQuzie]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Perfect location for a popped splint.

:bangs head: Of course! I had another pony once upon a time that had that and the vet said that that commonly happens when a horse has been out of work and then put back into work.

Only thing is, last time, it wasn't very swollen, just out more?

So maybe the check ligament? Hmm... I'll do some research.

[JBandRio]

LOL, do you need some aspirin?

Whether splints are hot or cold, very lumpy or hardly at all, just depends on where the fracture is and how deep, and yes, whether they are interfering with a ligament or tendon.

[SuZQuzie]

Today the swelling went way down so that I can see the source of the problem and it seems to be the check ligament since it is too far back. Since I wasn't feeling well, I just put some standing wraps to add pressure and support. I hope to start her on some cold therapy (cold hosing, ice) tomorrow and maybe some stretching (she is normally stretched, so she knows the drill). It's looking like by the time she is back and able to take the action she will too far along with her pregnancy for it to matter much. Oh well. At least she'll be comfy.