OMG MY HORSE IS LIMPING-3 WEELKS STRAIGHT!!

[ponyperson]

About 3 weeks ago I rode my horse on freshly laid-out gravel. He got a rock stuck in his hoof and I got it out when I checked his feet a 1/2 hour later. He started to limp the next day and he is STILL limping. He doesn't refuse to walk, trot, or canter. He was galloping around with his buddy the other night. Could his hoof be bruised? It is visible that he is struggling to trot and he limps while walking and trotting. His canter seems normal ( I did not canter him-he was cantering alone in his pasture w/ pasturmate). Please help! I'm so worried that I will have to get rid of him!!

[whinny]

bruises can last very long time.but may not be as bad in a grassy sorft firld,or a absess even worse can last a long time and is very painfull,but since he is palying and running with his mates he proberly has a bruise.when your farrier comes out he will see were it is .sometimes its visable some times you have to cut some of the foot away to see it.just keep his feet clean and off the stones..call the farrier to come and take a peek.dont panik yet,,:side:

[ponyperson]

The farrier said nothing to me about anything when he came....I'm worried sick

[morgans12]

Does sound like a bruise or a bruise that's developed into an abcess. Have you checked to see if his hoof is giving off heat. Did your farrier use a pressure tool to check for an abcess? Does your horse have any swelling anywhere in his leg? Was he noticibley lame when the farrier came? Does he have shoes? If he has shoes are any of the nails placed really high? Is he only lame on one foot? Does he have a temperature over 101.5?

[luvallbreeds]

call a vet ..ASAP ....no hoof, no horse, it is never worth it to wait and see if it will get better on it's own. You have already missed out on 3 weeks of riding and will miss more while your horse heals but it needs to see a vet. Or you may miss out on alot more.<br><br>Post edited by: luvallbreeds, at: 2007/05/05 21:15

[ponyperson]

There is no heat at all-he just starts to limp after about 4 beats of trotting. Its really weird. He isn't showing any signs of pain. Otherwise he is fine.

[morgans12]

I would have to agree with luvallbreeds. Abscess's generally give off heat and after 3 weeks there would be swelling and he would be in a lot of pain not just uncomfortable. It could be a bruise, but generally discomfort from bruises that don't abscess subside in a matter of a couple of days. It may be that the whole stone is just a coincidence and there is something else going on. Either way three weeks is a long time for a lame horse. Your probably best to call a vet and get to the source of the problem rather than chancing further injury or permanent damage.

[ponyperson]

Ok thank you. I am going to get the farrier again. If he can't find anything, I will get the vet. Is an abscess life-threatening? And does limping mean he is lame?

[mrsEd]

Can an absess not release germs into the bloodstream if it is not treated with antibiotics?
(I don't want to worry anyone unnecessary, but I have to ask. Because this is what I've always thought... )

[morgans12]

Yes mrsEd abscess's depending on where they are and how extensive they are can get into the blood stream and make a horse septic. I saw a horse get deathly sick once from a sheath abscess.

However,don't worry too much ponyperson, Most often hoof abscess's are not life threatening. I was a veterinary technician for 6 years and have seen larger abscess's in other places that were left untreated make a horse really sick and require antibiotics, but generally hoof abscess's don't usually require an antibiotic. If caught early you can generally pack them with gauze soaked drawing salve and they pop with in a day or two and heal. The fact that you say your horse isn't in that much pain makes me think it might be something else. Most abscess's come on very quickly, and are excessively painful to the point horses don't want to bear any weight at all on that foot. They also generally give off heat. Sounds like you are on the right track though. If you have your farrier look at your horse he can rule out an abscess or any trimming/shoeing related lameness before going to the expense of a Vet. I would however be sure to do so as soon as possible as your poor horse has been uncomfortable for quite some time now