Posted by Marcus Bernhard on October 02, 2003 at 19:35:01:
In Reply to: Re: Splint? Lameness at the Trot posted by Rick Burten on October 02, 2003 at 09:56:41:
: : Ok tonight I noticed that just below the knee she has a hard ball like bone. Is that a splint? I dont ever remember that being that big. WHat do you think?
: : Marc
: : : Ok about 6 weeks ago my vet diagnosed my horse with pedastalitis with posterior heel pain, strained empor ligamint, and heel pain from over reaching. I had to soak her foot in runners relief 2 times a day for 1 week. THen she needed to have 2 bute a day morn. and night. THen six weeks of rest. She is lame on the front right foot at the trot and I am not sure about the canter and not the walk. SHe is a Quater Horse/Appaloosa and is 4 years old. She has shoes on all 4 and wears bell boots 24/7. SHe will be getting her shoes off on the 6th of october for the winter. She does sometimes over reach but never does when she has no shoes on, that I know of. It will be 6 weeks on the 3rd of october and I was supposed to be able to start ridding her. My vet said if she was not better by then to have x-rays. Roo is lame one day and the next she is sound but then sometimes the day after she is lame again. It is really wierd and I really want her to get better. SHe is a beautiful horse and is a good hunter and i just want her to get better. Do you know what could be the matter. Please get back to me.
: : : Thanks,
: : : Marc
: She may well have an active(green) splint that is causing
: intermittant pain. However, I think that this is the least of her problems. With the diagnosis given by the vet, you are dealing with many issues.
: I am not so sure thatgiven the fact that she has pedal osteitis, going barefoot is the right option at this time. Much will depend on the results of the radiographs. How much sole depth is present, breakover location, heel support, M/L balance , what the navicular bone looks like, etc are all factors. What type and size shoes is she wearing. Please describe her conformation, including her weight.
: If she is only lame on one front, then it could be a deep bruise and/or abcess, or a fracture of the coffin bone. When the radiographs are taken, a fracture should be considered and radiographs taken to eliminate this possibility. This will require medial, lateral, A/P, and solar pictures.
: Have any other diagnostics, such as nerve blocks been performed. If so, what was the result? If not, it is something that should be done.
: You indicate that the horse is a hunter. Is this "hunter on the flat" or over fences. If it is over fences, then you need to stop with that. She is too young and, until you know the cause(s) of the problem, no high impact, hyperextensive of the limb activities should be undertaken.
: Rick
I have not had any other diagnostics taken. The vet is commming on tuesday that was the earliest. What are radiographs? X-rays? She will be having that done.
Marc