[Amigo]

Ok, I was riding Bach Yesterday and we were cantering up the side of a field quite fat, and we went through some deepish very wet mud, at which point i felt him stumble, but he carried on, howver when i pulled him up he was quite lame, so i got off and walked him back. He seemed better the more he walked. Previously when hes been lame like this, i will rest him a few days/week and hes fine, even after a weekend **** be ok.
But I got a call this evening from the lady who checks him thursdays& fridays for me and she said he could hardly walk, he wouldnt come in for his food, she couldnt budge him or lift up his foot. So I rushed down, she had gone by then, but he walked in with me (15m to yard) He was clearly very lame, hopping on it (nearside fore), so i looked at it, flexed it, seemed no pain at the elbow, and knee, but his coronet band was really swollen, but with little heat. I cold hosed it for 10 mins, and left him with hay in the concrete floored stable which is open to the field as a shelter.

I think i may have to call the vet tomorrow, but has anyone seen this before? Ive only come across it with abcesses, but its just come up over night. Could he have sparained something? His sole isnt bruised when i tapped it quite hard with the hoof pick (hes barefoot).

Any Ideas?? Would rest make it go down? Should I have put a pressure bandage on it? I wasnt sure what i could have done... :S

Please Help!


Pic: Very swolen ridge at top of hoof and round coronet band (all the darker bit on the top of his hoof.)

[Dawn]

His entire pastern is likely swollen and it's just noticeable around the band as you see how small the hoof looks comparatively.

[Amigo]

Originally Posted by Dawn

His entire pastern is likely swollen and it's just noticeable around the band as you see how small the hoof looks comparatively.

Well did I do the right thing? What s the vet likley to say to do? Is it really serious? Will it heal easily? What could have caused it? pulled muscle bruising?

Sorry for all the questions im just really worried, Ive not had to deal with an injury like this before, and hes no youngster any more!

[Dawn]

It honestly could be any number of things. From something that a week or two of rest will take care of to something that might cause permanent damage. Or anything in between.

Your best bet is to get a vet out that is competent in diagnosing lamenesses. The sooner the better obviously.

I'm not sure if I would wrap it or not. Maybe ask the vet while on the phone with him what he recommends to do until he can get there.

[Dawn]

Oh, I doubt it's muscle related (could also be involved, but not muscle only) as that would not cause swelling, especially in that location as there aren't any muscles there.

[JBandRio]

Do you have a side view of this foot? It looks like it has a fairly tall heel, making an unhealthy foot to begin with. This makes any bad steps on it much more likely to cause injury.

[Amigo]

um i do, but taken last year.. um here... Hes never had an feet problems except mud fever and string halt, and hes not stannding brill in this pic, showing his age a bit more! Hes god good breeding, I dont know if high heels are a feature of pure morgans..?

[JBandRio]

His front feet look tons better than the single pic you originally posted. I pretty clearly see a dishing developing in the toe, which goes along with the high heels that seem to be present.

Was the same person trimming him a year ago as recently? How long had you had him in the year old picture?

[Amigo]

ive had him about 3 years, I got a new farrier, um , near that time I think... He was a reccomendation.

[JBandRio]

You got a new farrier about a year ago? There you go.