Sudden Lameness, Abscess??

[walkinghorseroyal]

My Tennessee Walking horse came up lame from the pasture last week. He had no swelling in any of his legs and his hoofs were not hot. After trotting him out he appears to be lame on his right front leg. I have put him in a stall and have hand walked him every day, but no improvement. He's never been lame before in the past 6 years I've owned him. He doesn't appear to be sore on the soles of his feet and no cracks or chips in his hoofs.

My question is, could this be an abscess? He has not been seen by a vet yet, but he was trimmed about 6 weeks ago by his regular ferrier and was not lame afterwards. I would really appreciate any advice or insites! Thank you!!

[cynthia-jay]

You don't specify as to exactly what type of lameness your horse is experiancing

It could be a variety of different cir***stances or a combination

Your best bet is to have a Vet out first to diagnosis and then follow up from there
best to you
as always
Jay

[walkinghorseroyal]

He was at first just barely limping at a walk and trot. Now he doesn't limp very much at a walk, but you can see the head nod at a trot. He can bear weight on this foot, he's not pointing it or holding it funny. He's just sore from something.

[caballus]

If you could post photos of his hooves, that would help. Straight on the Side view, front view and then solar view (soles).

--Gwen

[cynthia-jay]

It sounds like a stone bruise which can lead to an abcess

Your still best off with a Vets check of this with hoof testers ect to rule it out from anythig else

It may even be higher up the leg as a sprain
best
as always
Jay

[walkinghorseroyal]

I let him loose in the roundpen yesterday and he rolled and trotted a little before I could catch him. Today he was holding his right rear leg in the air while he ate and walking on it awkwardly, not limping just awkward. The tendons right below the hock were swollen. So tomorrow I'm going to call a vet and see what happens. Thanks for all of the advice!