Soreness from Stall?

[Kelly Lee]

Hi all,

Yesterday I went to see my girl at her new stable. We moved her Saturday. For some background - because of lack of turnout at old barn and weather and slow immersion into society of new barn she has only had 3 days of turnout in two weeks. I have given her exercise each day - either a 20 min lunge and 10 min ride or just free lunge. Yesterday I noticed she was stiff/sore not as forward. I couldn't narrow down to one leg. She was good on straight path - but in circles tended to have shortened stride, lack of rhthym. No problems standing, no rocking or shifting of balance from leg to leg. The lameness is very slight. I noticed slight heat in different areas of all legs (ie - coronet band on one, heel on another, cannon on another). One of the boarders suggested that as she has had normal turnout for the last many years - these two weeks stall-bound could have played some havoc on fluids, muscles etc. Does this sound possible?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[Sharon H]

How old is she? From what you've described it doesn't sound as though she is getting enough exercise. 10 or 20 minutes out of the box means she is spending virtually all of her time confined. Also, taking a horse out of a stable and then lunging for 20 minutes isn't necessarily such a good idea. If they aren't used to working on the lunge, it can be hard work for them to be working on a circle, particulary at trot or canter,it could be straining her legs.
Do you warm her up at a walk first? Is it possible to take her for some longer walks in hand or on long reins? If I were you, I would be looking to get her turnout arrangements sorted as quickly as possible.

 

[Kelly Lee]

Yesterday I noticed a small knick on top of a small marble sized hard lump on inside of foreleg about 8-9 cm below the knee. I am now thinking she has knocked herself with her own shoe. Perhaps this is causing some pain and soreness. My coach has said the word "splint" - does anyone know about splints? As far as I know this lump has appeared in the last 3-4 days - and the wound was still a little fresh. Do splints occur this quickily - any help appreciated.

 

[Lucy J]

sounds to me like she has injured herself with the other leg, lunging causes my horse to brush and she doesn't ususally. I would keep it hosed with cold water everyday and wait for the lump to go down, I don't think splints can occur this quickly, sounds more like a swelling from some bruising. My youngster had a tiny cut on her leg where you are describing. She was sound than all of a sudden her leg blew up like a balloon and she went really lame. A good wash everyday and a 4 day course of antibiotics sorted her out and she was right as rain! Just keep an eye on it. If you start to lunge again when she is sound make sure she wears some protective boots when on the lunge.

Hope this helps.